One of the true icons of the game and one of the select band of golfers to have won more than 165 worldwide victories. He shares with Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Gene Sarazen, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods the distinction of being one of only five golfers to have won the career Grand Slam, made up of all four Major Championships. Player also won nine Majors on the Senior Tour and the Senior Grand Slam.
Turned professional in 1953 and has subsequently travelled more than 30 million kilometers while competing in tournaments all over the world. Won for the first time in 1955 and has since won almost everywhere golf is played worldwide.
Turned 50 in 1985 and immediately won the first Senior Tour event he entered. Went on to win 40 professional events around the world. His haul of nine Senior Major titles equals the nine Majors he won earlier in his career.
Player retains full ownership of his name, image, and likeness, with all of his business and philanthropic ventures operating under Gary Player Enterprises. This includes Gary Player Design, the Gary and Vivienne Player Foundation, and sponsorships or endorsements with esteemed partners such as Rolex, Berenberg, and PXG. As one of the world’s most accomplished golf course architects, Player has completed hundreds of design projects across the globe. The Gary and Vivienne Player Foundation focuses on providing education for disadvantaged children in South Africa through the Blair Atholl School, while also supporting a range of charitable causes in the United States. Throughout his illustrious career, Player has received numerous awards recognizing his outstanding contributions to the game of golf.
In 2000 he was awarded the European Senior Tour’s Lladro Lifetime Achievement Award. Twelve months later he was named as the World Golf Hall of Fame’s Global Ambassador. Captained the Rest of the World Team at the UBS Cup matches in 2001, 2002 and 2004, and the International Team in the 2003 and 2007 Presidents Cup. He also captained the South African team in golf’s return to the Olympic Games.