Gary Player is also known as the "Man in Black" or the "Black Knight" for his passion for wearing all black when playing golf. His father encouraged him to have a trademark so that he could develop a brand for his career. Hence, wearing all black became his trademark.
Gary Player Achievements
Gary "Jim" Player was born on November 1, 1935, in Johannesburg, South Africa. He is a retired professional golfer who is widely regarded as one of the prominent golfers of all time. Now 86 years old, Gary Player first debuted as a professional golfer when he was 18 years old, back in 1953.
Throughout his career, he has won a total of 24 PGA tours, 22 PGA Tour Champions, and 118 International Tour. He won his first PGA Tour tournament at the age of 23 in April 1958, at the Kentucky Derby Open. We on to win his first major at the British Open, defeating Fred Bullock and Flory van Donck. In the 1961 Masters Tournament, he played against Arnold Palmer and won by one remarkable shot, becoming the tournament's first non-American winner. Prior to his 30th birthday, he had already accomplished the coveted career Grand Slam, making him the youngest player to do it at the time.
Distinctions & Honours
Additionally, he is one of only five golfers to have received the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award. He received the prize in 2003, which is reserved for persons who have made major contributions to the world of sports. Not only that, for his unwavering commitment to PGA Tour, he was awarded the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement in 2012
Gary Player Net Worth
The Player’s net worth is approximately $250 million, making him one of the richest golfers in the world.
Personal Life
Gary Player is also known as a devoted family man. Gary Player wife is his sister’s friend, Vivienne Verway and both of them were blessed with 6 beautiful children and 22 grandchildren. They were married for 64 years and it all started with childhood sweetheart where Gary Player asked Verway to marry him when he was just 15 years old. They eventually got married after Player earned his first victory in Australia at the Ampol Tournament. Gary Player's wife stayed by his side and traveled with him during the early days of his career. Vivienne Player was a resilient wife and was able to provide for Gary's travel needs while also caring for their children. Sadly, his wife passed away in 2021 from a year-long pancreatic cancer. Today, Gary still shows his love for his wife openly on his social media.
After hundreds of achievements and many years of golfing, Player retired from tournament golf in 2009. In 2021, he became the ambassador of Golf Saudi, and while at it he will promote and champion Golf Saudi's expansion goals for the game, with the goal of promoting golf to a broader audience in Saudi Arabia.
Summary
Gary Player will forever be recognized as one of the individuals that inspire all golfers, regardless of their background. From a small town in South Africa with few means, he has become one of the most successful golfers. Earning hundreds of titles and championships because "the harder he works, the luckier he gets".
Common FAQs About Gary Player
How old is Gary Player?
He is 86 years old.
When did Gary Player retire?
In 1985 he began competing on the Senior PGA Tour (later renamed the Champions Tour), and he retired from tournament golf in 2009.
