Gary Player celebrates his 90th birthday. We look back at how the ‘Black Knight’ became one of golf’s all-time greats.
Gary Player turns 90. The South African, who won nine majors on both the regular and senior Champions Tour, boasts a total of 18 major titles, making him one of the most successful golfers in history. Known for his exceptional feel for the game, discipline, and innovative training methods, Player was decades ahead of his time and became a role model for generations of golfers. Even today, he has no plans to retire—Gary Player wants to keep playing as long as he can.
From South Africa to Global Stardom
Born in 1935 in Johannesburg, South Africa, Player faced adversity early on. His father worked as a captain in a gold mine and was often away, while his mother died of cancer when he was just eight years old. These hardships forged a resilient spirit in Player, who began playing golf at 14. Standing only 5’6\”, he compensated with strict discipline, healthy eating, and a rigorous fitness routine. At 17, without a single tournament win to his name, he left school determined to become a professional golfer.
At 19, Player won the East Rand Open in South Africa, marking the start of his international career. That same year, he claimed the Egyptian Match Play Championship, which funded his first British Golf Tour in 1955.
Gary Player Achieves Career Grand Slam at 29
Player’s breakthrough came in 1959 when he became the youngest winner of the British Open. Always dressed in black, he earned the nickname “The Black Knight” and gained global recognition. In 1961, he shifted his focus to the PGA Tour and qualified for the Masters for the first time. That same year, he shocked the golf world by defeating the legendary Arnold Palmer to win his first major on American soil.
Setbacks never derailed Player’s momentum. After a 15-month winless stretch, he bounced back in 1962 to win the PGA Championship. Despite serious injuries in the 1970s, he consistently returned to top form. His crowning achievement came in 1965 when, at just 29, he won the US Open, becoming the youngest player at the time to complete the Career Grand Slam. Many say, “No one made more out of less than Gary Player.” Though not the biggest or strongest, his unorthodox style and