Gary Player

Last updated

Gary Player
All Black (cropped).jpg
Player in 2008
Personal information
Full nameGary James Player
NicknameThe Black Knight,
Mr. Fitness
Born (1935-11-01) 1 November 1935 (age 89)
Johannesburg, Union of South Africa
Height5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
Weight150 lb (68 kg; 11 st)
Sporting nationalityFlag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
Residence Jupiter Island, Florida, U.S.
Plettenberg Bay, South Africa
Spouse
Vivienne Verwey
(m. 1957;died 2021)
Children6
Career
Turned professional1953
Former tour(s) PGA Tour
Southern Africa Tour
Champions Tour
Professional wins159
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour24
European Tour4
Sunshine Tour20
PGA Tour of Australasia2
PGA Tour Champions22 (Tied-7th all-time)
European Senior Tour3
Other63 (regular)
6 (senior)
Best results in major championships
(wins: 9)
Masters Tournament Won: 1961, 1974, 1978
PGA Championship Won: 1962, 1972
U.S. Open Won: 1965
The Open Championship Won: 1959, 1968, 1974
Achievements and awards
World Golf Hall of Fame 1974 (member page)
PGA Tour
money list winner
1961
Southern Africa Tour
Order of Merit winner
1976–77, 1979–80
PGA Tour Lifetime
Achievement Award
2012
GCSAA Old Tom Morris Award 2020
(For a full list of awards, see here)

Gary James Player DMS OIG (born 1 November 1935) is a South African retired professional golfer who is widely considered to be one of the greatest golfers of all time. [1] During his career, Player won nine major championships on the regular tour and nine major championships on the Champions Tour. [2] [3] [4] At the age of 29, Player won the 1965 U.S. Open and became the only non-American to win all four majors in a career, known as the career Grand Slam. At the time, he was the youngest player to do this, though Jack Nicklaus (26) and Tiger Woods (24) subsequently broke this record. Player became only the third golfer in history to win the Career Grand Slam, following Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen, and only Nicklaus and Woods have performed the feat since. He won over 160 professional tournaments on six continents over seven decades and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. [5]

Contents

Nicknamed the Black Knight, Mr. Fitness, and the International Ambassador of Golf, [6] he is also a renowned golf course architect with more than 400 design projects on five continents throughout the world. Player has also authored or co-written 36 books on golf instruction, design, philosophy, motivation and fitness. On 7 January 2021, Player was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by United States President Donald Trump.

The Player Group was established by Marc Player and operates The Player Foundation, which has a primary objective of promoting underprivileged education around the world. In 1983, The Player Foundation established the Blair Atholl Schools in Johannesburg, South Africa, which has educational facilities for more than 500 students from kindergarten through eighth grade. In 2013 it celebrated its 30th anniversary with charity golf events in London, Palm Beach, Shanghai and Cape Town, bringing its total of funds raised to over US$60 million. [7] [8]

Background and family

Player with his wife (holding object) and her mother, who were his dedicated supporters at golf tournaments, 1961 Gary Player with wife and her mother 1961.jpg
Player with his wife (holding object) and her mother, who were his dedicated supporters at golf tournaments, 1961

Player was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, the youngest of Harry and Muriel Player's three children. When he was eight years old his mother died from cancer. Although his father was often away from home working in the gold mines, he did manage to take a loan in order to buy a set of clubs for Gary to begin playing golf. The Virginia Park golf course in Johannesburg is where Player first began his love affair with golf. At the age of 14, Player played his first round of golf and parred the first three holes. At age 16, he announced that he would become number one in the world. At age 17, he became a professional golfer.

Player married wife Vivienne Verwey (sister of professional golfer Bobby Verwey) on 19 January 1957, four years after turning professional. Together they had six children: Jennifer, Marc, Wayne, Michele, Theresa, and Amanda. He also has 22 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. [9] [10] During the early days of his career Player would travel from tournament to tournament with his wife, six children, their nanny and a tutor in tow. Vivienne died of cancer in August 2021. [11]

Player's eldest son, Marc, owns and operates The Player Group, which exclusively represents Player in all his commercial activities, including all endorsements, licensing, merchandising, golf course design, and real estate development. [12]

Player is the brother of Ian Player, a South African environmental educator, activist and conservationist. [13]

Playing career

Player is one of the most successful golfers in history, tied for fourth in major championship victories with nine. Along with Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus he is often referred to as one of "The Big Three" golfers of his era – from the late 1950s through the late 1970s – when golf boomed in the United States and around the world and was greatly encouraged by expanded television coverage. Along with Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods, he is one of only five players to win golf's "career Grand Slam". He completed the Grand Slam in 1965 at the age of twenty-nine. Player was the second multiple majors winner from South Africa, following Bobby Locke, then was followed by Ernie Els, and Retief Goosen.

Player competed regularly on the U.S. based PGA Tour from the late 1950s. He led the Tour money list in 1961, and went on to accumulate 24 career Tour titles. He also played an exceptionally busy schedule all over the world, and he has been called the world's most traveled athlete. Player has logged more than 26 million km (16 million mi) in air travel – in 2005 it was estimated that he had "probably flown further…than any athlete in history". [14] [15]

Player has more victories than anyone else in the South African Open (13) and the Australian Open (7). He held the record for most victories in the World Match Play Championship, with five wins, from 1973 until 1991 when this feat was equalled by Seve Ballesteros, finally losing his share of the record in 2004, when Ernie Els won the event for the sixth time. Player was in the top ten of Mark McCormack's world golf rankings from their inception in 1968 until 1981; he was ranked second in 1969, 1970 and 1972, each time to Jack Nicklaus.

Player was the only player in the 20th century to win the British Open in three different decades. [16] His first win, as a 23-year-old in 1959 at Muirfield, came after he double-bogeyed the last hole. [17] In 1974, he became one of the few golfers in history to win two major championships in the same season. Player last won the Masters in 1978, when he started seven strokes behind 54-hole leader Hubert Green entering the final round, and won by one shot with birdies at seven of the last 10 holes for a back nine 30 and a final round 64. One week later, Player again came from seven strokes back in the final round to win the Tournament of Champions. [18] In 1984, at the age of 48 Player nearly became the oldest ever major champion, finishing in second place behind Lee Trevino at the PGA Championship. And in gusty winds at the 1998 Masters, he became the oldest golfer ever to make the cut, breaking the 25-year-old record set by Sam Snead. Player credited this feat to his dedication to the concept of diet, health, practice and golf fitness. [19]

Player has occasionally been accused of cheating, particularly in the 1974 Open; he has strongly denied the accusations. Later, at a skins game in Arizona in 1983, Tom Watson accused him of cheating by moving a leaf from behind his ball. [20]

Player at the Fancourt Golf Resort in South Africa, 2008 Gary Player - Fancourt.jpg
Player at the Fancourt Golf Resort in South Africa, 2008

Being South African, Player never played in the Ryder Cup in which American and European golfers compete against each other. Regarding the event, Player remarked, "The things I have seen in the Ryder Cup have disappointed me. You are hearing about hatred and war." [21] He was no longer an eligible player when the Presidents Cup was established to give international players the opportunity to compete in a similar event, but he was non-playing captain of the International Team for the Presidents Cup in 2003, which was held on a course he designed, The Links at Fancourt, in George, South Africa. After 2003 ended in a tie, he was reappointed as captain for the 2005 Presidents Cup, and his team lost to the Americans 15.5 to 18.5. Both Player and Jack Nicklaus were appointed to captain their respective teams again in 2007 in Canada; the United States won.

Augusta National green jacket

The green jacket is reserved for Augusta National members and golfers who win the Masters Tournament. Jackets are kept on club grounds, and taking them off the premises is forbidden. The exception is for the winner, who can take it home and return it to the club the following year. Player, who became the tournament's first international winner in 1961, said he did not know that. After the victory he packed the jacket and took it to his home in South Africa. That led to a call from club Chairman Clifford Roberts, who was a stickler for rules. "I didn't know you were supposed to leave it there," Player said. "Next thing you know, there was a call from Mr. Roberts." [22]

Legacy

In 2000, Player was voted "Sportsman of the Century" in South Africa. In 1966, he was awarded the Bob Jones Award, the highest honour given by the United States Golf Association in recognition of distinguished sportsmanship in golf. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. The "Gary Player – A Global Journey" exhibition was launched by the Hall of Fame as of March 2006.

In 2000, Golf Digest magazine ranked Player as the eighth greatest golfer of all time. [23]

In 2002, Player was voted as the second greatest global golfer of all time by a panel of international media, golf magazines and fellow professionals conducted by the leading Golf Asia Magazine.[ citation needed ]

On 10 April 2009, he played for the last time in the Masters, where he was playing for his record 52nd time [24] – every year since 1957 except for 1973, when he was recovering from surgery. [25] After Nicklaus and Palmer, he was the last of the Big Three to retire from this tournament, which is a testament to his longevity.

At age 73 on 23 July 2009, Player competed in the Senior British Open Championship at Sunningdale Golf Club, 53 years after capturing his maiden European Tour victory at the Berkshire venue. [26]

Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters announced on 5 July 2011 that Player had been invited to join Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer as an honorary starter. The Big Three were reunited in this capacity starting with the 2012 tournament. [27]

In July 2013, he became the oldest athlete ever to pose nude in ESPN The Magazine 's annual Body Issue to inspire people to keep looking after themselves throughout their lives whatever their age. [28] [29]

Business and other interests

Gary Player's business interests are exclusively represented by Black Knight International, which includes Gary Player Design, Player Real Estate, The Player Foundation, Gary Player Academies, and Black Knight Enterprises, aspects of which include licensing, events, publishing, wine, apparel and memorabilia. [7] The Player Group, which operates The Player Foundation, is owned and managed by Marc Player. [30]

The Player Foundation

The Player Foundation was established in 1983 by Marc Player and began as an effort to provide education, nutrition, medical care and athletic activities, for a small community of disadvantaged children living on the outskirts of Johannesburg, South Africa. The Player Foundation has since blossomed into an organisation that circles the globe bringing aid to underprivileged children and impoverished communities. Since its establishment, The Player Foundation has donated over $65 million to the support of children's charities, the betterment of impoverished communities and the expansion of educational opportunities throughout the world.

The foundation is primarily funded by donations, grants and the four Gary Player Invitational events presented through Black Knight International and staged in the United States, China, Europe and South Africa annually. [31] The Gary Player Invitational is a pro-am tournament that pairs celebrities and professional golfers from the PGA and Champions Tours with businessmen and other local participants. The proceeds of these tournaments and other special events provide funding for an ever-expanding number of institutions around the world, including the Blair Atholl Schools in South Africa, the Pleasant City Elementary School in Palm Beach and the Masizame Children's Shelter in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa.[ citation needed ]

Proceeds from the Gary Player Invitational have also been donated to the Lord's Taverners in the UK and the following organisations in South Africa; Wildlands Conservation Trust, Twilight Children and Bana Development Centre. [32] [33]

Golf course design

The Player Design firm have executed over 400 projects in 41 countries on five continents, including courses such as the Gary Player Country Club, Leopard Creek, Thracian Cliffs, Wentworth and The Links at Fancourt.The company offers three different design brands: Gary Player Design, Player Design, and Black Knight Design.

With golf accepted back into the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Gary Player Design was selected among the finalists of an official RFP in early December 2011. [34] [35]

Nelson Mandela Invitational

Player hosted the Nelson Mandela Invitational golf tournament staged by Black Knight International from 2000. In October 2007, media attention arose about his involvement in the 2002 design of a golf course in Burma and as a result, the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund withdrew its support. [36] Both Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu accepted Player's position and statements on Burma. [37] Player refused to withdraw as he and his son Marc personally built the golf event from scratch and issued a statement rebutting these claims via his website. The event continued to be staged annually at the Sun City Resort as the Gary Player Invitational until 2019.[ citation needed ]

Views

Views on apartheid

In 1966, Player espoused support for the apartheid policies of Hendrik Verwoerd in his book Grand Slam Golf, stating: "I must say now, and clearly, that I am of the South Africa of Verwoerd and apartheid ... a nation which ... is the product of its instinct and ability to maintain civilised values and standards amongst the alien barbarians. The African may well believe in witchcraft and primitive magic, practise ritual murder and polygamy; his wealth is in cattle". [38] Activists publicly demonstrated against Player's espousal of apartheid, including protesting against Player at the 1969 PGA Championship. Australian activists also strongly protested against Player. In 1971 there were several threats to protest against Player at tournaments though they never came to fruition. [39] Years later, in October 1974, Australian activists screamed at Player, "Go home racist", as he was lining up a putt on the 72nd hole in a tournament he had a chance to win. [40]

However, in a 1987 interview with The Los Angeles Times , Player disavowed the system of apartheid, stating, "We have a terrible system in apartheid...it's almost a cancerous disease. I'm happy to say it's being eliminated....we've got to get rid of this apartheid." [41] In an interview with Graham Bensinger, Player discussed his early support for apartheid stating that the South African Government had "pulled the wool over our eyes" and that the people were "brainwashed" into supporting these policies. [42]

Views on golf

In July 2007, Player made statements at the Open Championship golf tournament about the use of performance-enhancing drugs in golf. He alleged that at least ten players were "taking something", citing human growth hormone, steroids and creatine as possible substances. Both the PGA Tour and European Tour were in the process of introducing random testing programmes at the time. [43]

In June 2016, in an interview with bunkered.co.uk, Player branded as "laughable" a report released by the R&A and USGA governing bodies which said that driving distance in golf was only increasing minimally. He warned of a "tsunami coming" due to the governing bodies' failure to address issues surrounding new golf technology. [44] After the 2017 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, Player reiterated these comments, taking to messaging service Twitter to say he was sad to see the Old Course at St Andrews "brought to her knees" after Ross Fisher broke the course record on a day of very low scoring during the final round. [45]

Distinctions and honours

Professional wins (159)

PGA Tour wins (24)

Legend
Major championships (9)
Other PGA Tour (15)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
120 Apr 1958 Kentucky Derby Open −14 (68-68-69-69=274)3 strokes Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Chick Harbert, Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Ernie Vossler
23 Jul 1959 The Open Championship −4 (75-71-70-68=284)2 strokes Flag of England.svg Fred Bullock, Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Flory Van Donck
329 Jan 1961 Lucky International Open −12 (70-69-68-65=272)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg George Bayer, Flag of the United States.svg Don Whitt
426 Mar 1961 Sunshine Open Invitational −15 (69-68-67-69=273)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Arnold Palmer
510 Apr 1961 Masters Tournament −8 (69-68-69-74=280)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Charles Coe, Flag of the United States.svg Arnold Palmer
622 Jul 1962 PGA Championship −2 (72-67-69-70=278)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Bob Goalby
713 Jan 1963 San Diego Open Invitational −14 (65-65-70-70=270)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Tony Lema
89 Mar 1964 Pensacola Open Invitational −14 (71-68-66-69=274)Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Miller Barber, Flag of the United States.svg Arnold Palmer
931 May 1964 500 Festival Open Invitation −11 (70-66-70-67=273)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Doug Sanders, Flag of the United States.svg Art Wall Jr.
1021 Jun 1965 U.S. Open +2 (70-70-71-71=282)Playoff Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kel Nagle
1113 Jul 1968 The Open Championship (2)+1 (74-71-71-73=289)2 strokes Flag of New Zealand.svg Bob Charles, Flag of the United States.svg Jack Nicklaus
1220 Apr 1969 Tournament of Champions −4 (69-74-69-72=284)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Lee Trevino
135 Apr 1970 Greater Greensboro Open −13 (70-63-73-65=271)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Miller Barber
1421 Mar 1971 Greater Jacksonville Open −7 (70-70-72-69=281)Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Hal Underwood
1528 Mar 1971 National Airlines Open Invitational −14 (69-67-70-68=274)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Lee Trevino
1626 Mar 1972 Greater New Orleans Open −9 (73-69-68-69=279)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Dave Eichelberger, Flag of the United States.svg Jack Nicklaus
176 Aug 1972 PGA Championship (2)+1 (71-71-67-72=281)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Tommy Aaron, Flag of the United States.svg Jim Jamieson
189 Sep 1973 Southern Open −10 (69-65-67-69=270)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Forrest Fezler
1914 Apr 1974 Masters Tournament (2)−10 (71-71-66-70=278)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Dave Stockton, Flag of the United States.svg Tom Weiskopf
2026 May 1974 Danny Thomas Memphis Classic −15 (65-72-69-67=273)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Lou Graham, Flag of the United States.svg Hubert Green
2113 Jul 1974 The Open Championship (3)−2 (69-68-75-70=282)4 strokes Flag of England.svg Peter Oosterhuis
229 Apr 1978 Masters Tournament (3)−11 (72-72-69-64=277)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Rod Funseth, Flag of the United States.svg Hubert Green,
Flag of the United States.svg Tom Watson
2316 Apr 1978 MONY Tournament of Champions (2)−7 (70-68-76-67=281)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Andy North, Flag of the United States.svg Lee Trevino
2423 Apr 1978 Houston Open −18 (64-67-70-69=270)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Andy Bean

PGA Tour playoff record (3–10)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
1 1958 Dallas Open Invitational Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Julius Boros, Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg John McMullin,
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Sam Snead
Snead won with birdie on first extra hole
2 1959 Memphis Open Canadian Red Ensign (1957-1965).svg Al Balding, Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Don Whitt Whitt won with par on second extra hole
Balding eliminated by birdie on first hole
3 1961 American Golf Classic Flag of the United States.svg Jay Hebert Lost to birdie on second extra hole
4 1962 Masters Tournament Flag of the United States.svg Dow Finsterwald, Flag of the United States.svg Arnold Palmer Palmer won 18-hole playoff;
Palmer: −4 (68),
Player: −1 (71),
Finsterwald: +5 (77)
51962 Memphis Open Invitational Flag of the United States.svg Lionel Hebert, Flag of the United States.svg Gene Littler Hebert won with birdie on first extra hole
6 1963 Palm Springs Golf Classic Flag of the United States.svg Jack Nicklaus Lost 18-hole playoff;
Nicklaus: −7 (65),
Player: +1 (73)
7 1964 Pensacola Open Invitational Flag of the United States.svg Miller Barber, Flag of the United States.svg Arnold Palmer Won 18-hole playoff;
Player: −1 (71),
Palmer: E (72),
Barber: +2 (74)
8 1965 U.S. Open Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kel Nagle Won 18-hole playoff;
Player: +1 (71),
Nagle: +4 (74)
9 1967 Oklahoma City Open Invitational Flag of the United States.svg Miller Barber Lost to birdie on third extra hole
10 1968 Azalea Open Invitational Flag of the United States.svg Steve Reid Lost to birdie on second extra hole
11 1971 Greater Jacksonville Open Flag of the United States.svg Hal Underwood Won with par on second extra hole
121971 Kemper Open Flag of the United States.svg Dale Douglass, Flag of the United States.svg Lee Trevino,
Flag of the United States.svg Tom Weiskopf
Weiskopf won with birdie on first extra hole
13 1975 MONY Tournament of Champions Flag of the United States.svg Al Geiberger Lost to birdie on first extra hole

European Tour wins (4)

Legend
Major championships (4)
Other European Tour (0)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
16 Aug 1972 PGA Championship [a] +1 (71-71-67-72=281)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Tommy Aaron, Flag of the United States.svg Jim Jamieson
214 Apr 1974 Masters Tournament [a] −10 (71-71-66-70=278)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Dave Stockton, Flag of the United States.svg Tom Weiskopf
313 Jul 1974 The Open Championship −2 (69-68-75-70=282)4 strokes Flag of England.svg Peter Oosterhuis
49 Apr 1978 Masters Tournament [a] (2)−11 (72-72-69-64=277)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Rod Funseth, Flag of the United States.svg Hubert Green,
Flag of the United States.svg Tom Watson

European Tour playoff record (0–2)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
1 1974 Dunlop Masters Flag of Scotland.svg Bernard Gallacher Lost to birdie on first extra hole
2 1976 Penfold PGA Championship Flag of England.svg Neil Coles, Flag of Ireland.svg Eamonn Darcy Coles won with par on third extra hole
Player eliminated by par on first hole

Southern Africa Tour wins (20)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
115 Jan 1972 NCR Western Province Open −10 (69-69-67-73=278)4 strokes Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Cobie Legrange
222 Jan 1972 Dunlop South African Masters −17 (71-65-65-66=267)3 strokes Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Bobby Cole
312 Feb 1972 South African Open −18 (69-71-66-68=274)1 stroke Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Bobby Cole
42 Dec 1972 Dunlop South African Masters (2)−12 (65-68-68-67=268)1 stroke Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Harold Henning
526 Jan 1974 Dunlop South African Masters (3)−10 (69-66-70-75=270)Playoff Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Bobby Cole
69 Feb 1974 General Motors International Classic −13 (71-70-71-71=283)5 strokes Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Hugh Baiocchi, Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg John Fourie
723 Nov 1974 General Motors International Classic (2)−16 (71-67-72-70=280)1 stroke Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Andries Oosthuizen
81 Feb 1975 BP South African Open (2)−10 (68-67-72-71=278)6 strokes Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Allan Henning
913 Dec 1975 General Motors International Classic (3)−11 (74-70-68-73=285)3 strokes Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg John Fourie
107 Feb 1976 Dunlop South African Masters (4)−12 (68-63-67-70=268)1 stroke Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Cobie Legrange
116 Nov 1976 Dunlop South African Masters (5)−10 (67-65-70-68=270)4 strokes Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Hugh Baiocchi, Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Simon Hobday
1227 Nov 1976 Yellow Pages South African Open (3)−8 (70-68-73-69=280)6 strokes Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg David Suddards (a), Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Bobby Verwey
1312 Nov 1977 Yellow Pages South African Open (4)−15 (69-71-63-70=273)3 strokes Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Bobby Cole, Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Dale Hayes
1419 Nov 1977 ICL International −12 (67-66-66-69=268)2 strokes Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Bobby Cole
1523 Nov 1979 Lexington PGA Championship −7 (71-66-66=203)*1 stroke Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Bobby Cole, Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Harold Henning,
Flag of Zimbabwe Rhodesia.svg Nick Price, Flag of Zimbabwe Rhodesia.svg Denis Watson
161 Dec 1979 SAB South African Masters (6)−18 (67-65-70-68=270)6 strokes Flag of Ireland.svg John O'Leary
178 Dec 1979 British Airways/Yellow Pages South African Open (5)−9 (67-75-71-66=279)1 stroke Flag of England.svg Ian Mosey
1815 Dec 1979 Sun City Classic −10 (70-71-67-70=278)4 strokes Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Bobby Verwey
195 Dec 1981 Datsun South African Open (6)−16 (67-72-67-66=272)Playoff Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg John Bland, Flag of England.svg Warren Humphreys
2016 Jan 1982 Lexington PGA Championship (2)−8 (68-70-66-68=272)3 strokes Flag of Scotland.svg Gordon Brand Jnr, Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Mark McNulty,
Flag of the United States.svg Bill Rogers

*Note: The 1979 Lexington PGA Championship was shortened to 54 holes due to rain.

Southern Africa Tour playoff record (2–0)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
1 1974 Dunlop South African Masters Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Bobby Cole Won with par on second extra hole
2 1981 Datsun South African Open Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg John Bland, Flag of England.svg Warren Humphreys Won with birdie on third extra hole after 18-hole playoff;
Player: −2 (70),
Bland: −2 (70),
Humphreys: E (72)

PGA Tour of Australia wins (2)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner-up
13 Nov 1974 Qantas Australian Open −11 (69-72-63-73=277)3 strokes Flag of Scotland.svg Norman Wood
215 Nov 1981 Tooth Gold Coast Classic −13 (65-71-72-67=275)4 strokes Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Shearer

PGA Tour of Australia playoff record (0–1)

No.YearTournamentOpponentsResult
11979 Victorian Open Flag of Australia (converted).svg Rodger Davis, Flag of Australia (converted).svg Geoff Parslow Davis won with birdie on second extra hole

Safari Circuit wins (1)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner-up
19 Mar 1980 Trophée Félix Houphouët-Boigny −23 (66-66-69-64=265)Playoff Flag of England.svg Peter Townsend

South American Golf Circuit wins (1)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner-up
19 Nov 1980 Chile Open −4 (72-67-74-71=284)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Alan Pate

Other European wins (10)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner-up
14 May 1956 Dunlop Tournament 70-64-64-72-68=3382 strokes Flag of England.svg Arthur Lees
216 Oct 1965 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship 3 and 2 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Thomson
38 Oct 1966 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship (2)6 and 4 Flag of the United States.svg Jack Nicklaus
412 Oct 1968 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship (3)1 up Flag of New Zealand.svg Bob Charles
59 Oct 1971 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship (4)5 and 4 Flag of the United States.svg Jack Nicklaus
613 Oct 1973 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship (5)40th hole Flag of Australia (converted).svg Graham Marsh
78 Nov 1974 La Manga International Pro-Am −42 (67-54-63-60=244)Playoff Flag of England.svg Clive Clark
810 Nov 1974 European Ibergolf Trophy +1 (73-72=145)Playoff Flag of England.svg Peter Townsend
912 Oct 1975 Trophée Lancôme −10 (73-65-69-71=278)6 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Lanny Wadkins
1021 Oct 1984 Johnnie Walker Trophy −16 (68-71-66-67=272)Playoff Flag of Spain.svg Seve Ballesteros

Sources: [50] [51] [52] [53] [54] [55] [56] [57] [58] [59]

Japan wins (2)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
16 Nov 1961 Yomiuri Pro Championship +1 (75-72-72-70=289)5 strokes Flag of the Republic of China.svg Chen Ching-Po
214 May 1972 Japan Airlines Open −8 (67-71-72-70=280)1 stroke Flag of the Republic of China.svg Lu Liang-Huan, Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Tōru Nakamura,
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Thomson, Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Haruo Yasuda

Other South African wins (39)

Other Australasian wins (17)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
119 Sep 1956 Western Australian Open 69-27-74-74=2895 strokes Flag of Australia (converted).svg Len Thomas
27 Oct 1956 North Coast Open −4 (69-67=136)Playoff Flag of Australia (converted).svg Norm Berwick
317 Nov 1956 Ampol Tournament 66-73-69-72=2806 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Bo Wininger
413 Oct 1957 North Coast Open (2)−5 (68-67=135)1 stroke Flag of Australia (converted).svg Eric Cremin
52 Nov 1957 Ampol Tournament (2)74-70-66-71=2812 strokes Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Dave Thomas
621 Nov 1957 Australian PGA Championship 2 up Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Thomson
730 Aug 1958 Australian Open 68-67-70-66=2715 strokes Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kel Nagle
87 Nov 1959 Victorian Open −17 (70-69-69-67=275)5 strokes Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Harold Henning
914 Nov 1959 Ampol Tournament (3)73-70-69=212Shared title with Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kel Nagle
1028 Oct 1961 Wills Classic −2 (78-68-71-69=286)3 strokes Flag of Australia (converted).svg Eric Cremin
113 Nov 1962 Australian Open (2)69-70-71-71=2812 strokes Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kel Nagle
122 Nov 1963 Australian Open (3)−18 (70-70-70-68=278)7 strokes Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bruce Devlin
1330 Oct 1965 Australian Open (4)−28 (62-71-62-69=264)6 strokes Flag of Australia (converted).svg Frank Phillips, Flag of the United States.svg Jack Nicklaus
1410 Nov 1968 Wills Masters −15 (69-70-66-72=277)Playoff Flag of England.svg Peter Townsend
1526 Oct 1969 Australian Open (5)E (64-69-68-77=288)1 stroke Flag of England.svg Guy Wolstenholme
1625 Oct 1970 Australian Open (6)−8 (71-65-70-74=280)3 strokes Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bruce Devlin
171 Nov 1970 Dunlop International −6 (71-67-73-71=282)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Bill Brask, Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kel Nagle,
Flag of the United States.svg Lee Trevino

Sources: [64] [65] [66] [67] [68] [69] [70] [71] [72] [73] [74] [75] [76] [77] [78] [79] [80]

Other South American wins (2)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner-up
124 Nov 1972 Brazil Open −6 (65-68-68-69=270)10 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Steve Melnyk
21 Dec 1974 Brazil Open (2)−9 (67-59-70-71=267)5 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Mark Hayes

Other wins (11)

Senior PGA Tour wins (22)

Legend
Senior PGA Tour major championships (9)
Other Senior PGA Tour (13)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
123 Nov 1985 Quadel Seniors Classic −11 (73-64-68=205)3 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Jim Ferree, Flag of the United States.svg Ken Still
216 Feb 1986 General Foods PGA Seniors' Championship −7 (68-68-73-72=281)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Lee Elder
318 May 1986 United Hospitals Senior Golf Championship −4 (66-70-70=206)1 stroke Flag of New Zealand.svg Bob Charles, Flag of the United States.svg Lee Elder
41 Jun 1986 Denver Post Champions of Golf −8 (70-67-71=208)Playoff Flag of Argentina.svg Roberto De Vicenzo
514 Jun 1987 Mazda Senior Tournament Players Championship −8 (69-73-69-69=280)1 stroke Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bruce Crampton, Flag of the United States.svg Chi-Chi Rodríguez
612 Jul 1987 U.S. Senior Open −14 (69-68-67-66=270)6 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Doug Sanders
713 Sep 1987 PaineWebber World Seniors Invitational −9 (68-67-72=207)Playoff Flag of New Zealand.svg Bob Charles
814 Feb 1988 General Foods PGA Seniors' Championship (2)−4 (69-73-72=70=284)3 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Chi-Chi Rodríguez
928 Feb 1988 Aetna Challenge −9 (70-70-67=207)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Dave Hill
1026 Jun 1988 Silver Pages Classic −13 (69-68-66=203)Playoff Flag of South Africa (1982-1994).svg Harold Henning
1124 Jul 1988 Volvo Seniors' British Open −8 (65-66-72-69=272)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Billy Casper
128 Aug 1988 U.S. Senior Open (2)E (74-71-70-73=288)Playoff Flag of New Zealand.svg Bob Charles
1311 Sep 1988 GTE North Classic −15 (70-65-66=201)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Dave Hill
1410 Sep 1989 GTE North Classic (2)−9 (67-68=135)*1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Billy Casper, Flag of the United States.svg Al Geiberger,
Flag of the United States.svg Joe Jimenez
158 Oct 1989 RJR Championship −3 (65-71-71=207)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Rives McBee
1615 Apr 1990 PGA Seniors' Championship (3)−7 (74-69-65-73=281)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Chi-Chi Rodríguez
1729 Jul 1990 Volvo Seniors' British Open (2)E (69-65-71-75=280)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Deane Beman, Flag of England.svg Brian Waites
183 Feb 1991 Royal Caribbean Classic −13 (67-65-68=200)2 strokes Flag of New Zealand.svg Bob Charles, Flag of the United States.svg Chi-Chi Rodríguez,
Flag of the United States.svg Lee Trevino
1919 Sep 1993 Bank One Senior Classic −14 (68-68-66=202)3 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Dale Douglass
2024 Sep 1995 Bank One Classic (2)−5 (72-75-64=211)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Jack Kiefer
2127 Jul 1997 Senior British Open (3)−10 (68-70-72-68=278)Playoff Flag of South Africa.svg John Bland
2223 Aug 1998 Northville Long Island Classic −12 (68-68-68=204)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Walter Hall, Flag of the United States.svg J. C. Snead

*Note: The 1989 GTE North Classic was shortened to 36 holes due to rain.

Senior PGA Tour playoff record (5–2)

No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
1 1986 Denver Post Champions of Golf Flag of Argentina.svg Roberto De Vicenzo Won with par on fourth extra hole
2 1987 PaineWebber World Seniors Invitational Flag of New Zealand.svg Bob Charles Won with birdie on first extra hole
3 1988 Silver Pages Classic Flag of South Africa (1982-1994).svg Harold Henning Won with birdie on first extra hole
41988 U.S. Senior Open Flag of New Zealand.svg Bob Charles Won 18-hole playoff;
Player: −4 (68),
Charles: −2 (70)
5 1990 Bell Atlantic Classic Flag of the United States.svg Dale Douglass Lost to par on second extra hole
6 1996 FHP Health Care Classic Flag of the United States.svg Walter Morgan Lost to birdie on first extra hole
7 1997 Senior British Open Flag of South Africa.svg John Bland Won with birdie on second extra hole

European Seniors Tour wins (3)

Legend
Senior major championships (1)
Other European Seniors Tour (2)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
115 Aug 1993 Belfast Telegraph Irish Senior Masters −5 (68-68-72=208)2 strokes Flag of Spain.svg José María Roca
227 Jul 1997 Senior British Open −10 (68-70-72-68=278)Playoff Flag of South Africa.svg John Bland
33 Aug 1997 Shell Wentworth Senior Masters −9 (69-68-70=207)1 stroke Flag of Spain.svg José María Cañizares, Flag of England.svg David Creamer

European Seniors Tour playoff record (1–0)

No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
1 1997 Senior British Open Flag of South Africa.svg John Bland Won with birdie on second extra hole

Other senior wins (6)

*The Senior British Open was retroactively recognised by the PGA Tour Champions as a senior major in 2018. [4] [81]

Major championships

Wins (9)

YearChampionship54 holesWinning scoreMarginRunner(s)-up
1959 The Open Championship 4 shot deficit−4 (75-71-70-68=284)2 strokes Flag of England.svg Fred Bullock, Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Flory Van Donck
1961 Masters Tournament 4 shot lead−8 (69-68-69-74=280)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Charles Coe, Flag of the United States.svg Arnold Palmer
1962 PGA Championship 2 shot lead−2 (72-67-69-70=278)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Bob Goalby
1965 U.S. Open 2 shot lead+2 (70-70-71-71=282)Playoff1 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kel Nagle
1968 The Open Championship (2)2 shot deficit+1 (74-71-71-73=289)2 strokes Flag of New Zealand.svg Bob Charles, Flag of the United States.svg Jack Nicklaus
1972 PGA Championship (2)1 shot lead+1 (71-71-67-72=281)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Tommy Aaron, Flag of the United States.svg Jim Jamieson
1974 Masters Tournament (2)1 shot deficit−10 (71-71-66-70=278)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Dave Stockton, Flag of the United States.svg Tom Weiskopf
1974 The Open Championship (3)3 shot lead−2 (69-68-75-70=282)4 strokes Flag of England.svg Peter Oosterhuis
1978 Masters Tournament (3)7 shot deficit−11 (72-72-69-64=277)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Rod Funseth, Flag of the United States.svg Hubert Green,
Flag of the United States.svg Tom Watson

1Defeated Nagle in 18-hole playoff; Player 71 (+1), Nagle 74 (+4).

Results timeline

Tournament1956195719581959
Masters Tournament T24CUTT8
U.S. Open 2T15
The Open Championship 4T2471
PGA Championship
Tournament1960196119621963196419651966196719681969
Masters Tournament T612T5T5T2T28T6T7T33
U.S. Open T19T9T6T8T231T15T12T16T48
The Open Championship 7WDCUTT7T8WDT4T31T23
PGA Championship T291T8T13T33T32
Tournament1970197119721973197419751976197719781979
Masters Tournament 3T6T101T30T28T191T17
U.S. Open T44T27T1512T8T43T23T10T6T2
The Open Championship CUTT76T141T32T28T22T34T19
PGA Championship T12T41T517T33T13T31T26T23
Tournament1980198119821983198419851986198719881989
Masters Tournament T6T15T15CUTT21T36CUTT35CUTCUT
U.S. Open CUTT26CUTT20T43CUTCUT
The Open Championship CUTCUTT42CUTCUTCUTT35T66T60CUT
PGA Championship T26T49CUTT42T2CUT
Tournament1990199119921993199419951996199719981999
Masters Tournament T24CUTCUT60CUTCUTCUTCUT46CUT
U.S. Open
The Open Championship CUTT57CUTCUTCUTT68CUTCUTCUTCUT
PGA Championship
Tournament2000200120022003200420052006200720082009
Masters Tournament CUTCUTCUTCUTCUTCUTCUTCUTCUTCUT
U.S. Open
The Open Championship CUTCUT
PGA Championship
  Win
  Top 10
  Did not play

CUT = missed the halfway cut (3rd round cut in 1970, 1980, 1981 and 1985 Open Championships)
WD = withdrew
"T" indicates a tie for a place.

Summary

TournamentWins2nd3rdTop-5Top-10Top-25EventsCuts made
Masters Tournament 321815225230
U.S. Open 12039192925
The Open Championship 301612174626
PGA Championship 22168122321
Totals963234470150102

Results in The Players Championship

Tournament19741975197619771978197919801981198219831984
The Players Championship CUTT21T9T13T28CUTT8CUTCUT61
  Top 10
  Did not play

CUT = missed the halfway cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place

Senior major championships

Wins (9)

YearChampionshipWinning ScoreMarginRunner(s)-up
1986 General Foods PGA Seniors' Championship −7 (68-68-73-72=281)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Lee Elder
1987 U.S. Senior Open −14 (69-68-67-66=270)6 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Doug Sanders
1987 Mazda Senior Tournament Players Championship −8 (69-73-69-69=280)1 stroke Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bruce Crampton Flag of the United States.svg Chi-Chi Rodríguez
1988 General Foods PGA Seniors' Championship (2)−4 (69-73-72-70=284)3 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Chi-Chi Rodríguez
1988 Volvo Seniors' British Open −8 (65-66-72-69=272)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Billy Casper
1988 U.S. Senior Open (2)E (74-70-71-73=288)Playoff1 Flag of New Zealand.svg Bob Charles
1990 PGA Seniors' Championship (3)−7 (74-69-65-73=281)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Chi-Chi Rodríguez
1990 Volvo Seniors' British Open (2)E (69-65-71-75=280)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Deane Beman, Flag of England.svg Brian Waites
1997 Senior British Open (3)−10 (68-70-72-68=278)Playoff2 Flag of South Africa.svg John Bland

1Defeated Charles in 18-hole playoff; Player (68), Charles (70).
2Defeated Bland with a birdie on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff.

Results timeline

Tournament1986198719881989
Senior PGA Championship 1T81T8
U.S. Senior Open 211T9
The Tradition NYFNYFNYF2
Senior Players Championship T141T33
Tournament1990199119921993199419951996199719981999
Senior PGA Championship 1T85T16T19T60T31T20T39T43
U.S. Senior Open T3T8T3T17T13T19T60T21
The Tradition 2T15T20T17T27T17T9T51T17T50
Senior Players Championship T18T43T18T33T42T49T49T29
Tournament2000200120022003200420052006200720082009
Senior PGA Championship T46T8T45CUTCUTCUTCUTCUT
The Senior Open Championship 111T51CUTT61T65CUTCUT
U.S. Senior Open CUT57CUTT54CUTCUT
The Tradition T34T19T6275T64T73T7667
Senior Players Championship T57T56T58T74

1The Senior Open Championship was not a Champions Tour major until 2003, though it was on the European Seniors Tour. Player won the event three times prior to this recognition.

  Win
  Top 10
  Did not play

CUT = Missed the half-way cut
NYF = Tournament not yet founded
"T" = tied

Team appearances

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Not a European Tour event at the time, but retrospectively counted as an official win.

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