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The 55 Greatest Gary Player Photos of All-Time
Courtesy of Black Knight International
Player was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, the youngest of Harry and Muriel Player's three children.
Player was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, the youngest of Harry and Muriel Player's three children.
Courtesy of Black Knight International
Courtesy of Black Knight International
Player was 14 years old when he went on his first date (pictured) with his future wife, Vivienne Verwey, who was working part-time behind the counter at a pro shop.
Player was 14 years old when he went on his first date (pictured) with his future wife, Vivienne Verwey, who was working part-time behind the counter at a pro shop.
Courtesy of Black Knight International
Courtesy of Black Knight International
Player entered the Ampol Golf Tournament in Melbourne, Australia, and told Vivienne he would marry her if he won. Player was victorious, and he and Vivienne were married on January 19, 1957.
Player entered the Ampol Golf Tournament in Melbourne, Australia, and told Vivienne he would marry her if he won. Player was victorious, and he and Vivienne were married on January 19, 1957.
Courtesy of Black Knight International
Courtesy Black Knight International
Player won the 1959 British Open, the first of nine career major titles.
Player won the 1959 British Open, the first of nine career major titles.
Courtesy Black Knight International
Courtesy of Black Knight International
As Player's fame grew he began to cross paths with celebrities, including Elvis Presley on the set of 'Blue Hawaii' in 1961.
As Player's fame grew he began to cross paths with celebrities, including Elvis Presley on the set of 'Blue Hawaii' in 1961.
Courtesy of Black Knight International
Courtesy of Black Knight International
Vivienne traveled the world with Gary throughout his career.
Vivienne traveled the world with Gary throughout his career.
Courtesy of Black Knight International
AP
Player won the 1961 Masters for his first of three green jackets.
Player won the 1961 Masters for his first of three green jackets.
AP
Courtesy of Black Knight International
Player and Vivienne raised six children on their ranch in South Africa.
Player and Vivienne raised six children on their ranch in South Africa.
Courtesy of Black Knight International
Courtesy of Black Knight International
Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player combined to win 34 major championships.
Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player combined to win 34 major championships.
Courtesy of Black Knight International
Courtesy of Black Knight International
Player celebrated a putt at the 1965 Masters, but he would finish tied for second. He went on to win the next major that year, the U.S. Open.
Player celebrated a putt at the 1965 Masters, but he would finish tied for second. He went on to win the next major that year, the U.S. Open.
Courtesy of Black Knight International
Courtesy of Black Knight International
Player participated in many rounds under the watchful eyes of Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.
Player participated in many rounds under the watchful eyes of Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.
Courtesy of Black Knight International
Walter Iooss/SI
Player won the 1974 Masters for his second green jacket. That summer he also won the British Open. It was the only year that Player won more than one major title.
Player won the 1974 Masters for his second green jacket. That summer he also won the British Open. It was the only year that Player won more than one major title.
Walter Iooss/SI
Walter Iooss/SI
Player won the 1974 British Open with caddie Alfred "Rabbit" Dyer on his bag. Dyer was the first African-American to caddie at the Open.
Player won the 1974 British Open with caddie Alfred "Rabbit" Dyer on his bag. Dyer was the first African-American to caddie at the Open.
Walter Iooss/SI
Jerry Cooke/SI
Shown here at Augusta in 1976, Player won the Masters in 1961, 1974 and 1978.
Shown here at Augusta in 1976, Player won the Masters in 1961, 1974 and 1978.
Jerry Cooke/SI
Courtesy of Black Knight International
Player continued to compete against Arnold and Jack on the senior circuit. Player won nine more majors on the Senior Tour.
Player continued to compete against Arnold and Jack on the senior circuit. Player won nine more majors on the Senior Tour.
Courtesy of Black Knight International
Peter Kemp/AP
Player chatted with a photographer during a practice round at St. Andrews before the 1995 British Open. That week Player became, at 59, the oldest player to make a cut at a British Open.
Player chatted with a photographer during a practice round at St. Andrews before the 1995 British Open. That week Player became, at 59, the oldest player to make a cut at a British Open.
Peter Kemp/AP
Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Player won the 1997 Senior British Open in a playoff for his final major championship victory on the senior circuit and ninth overall.
Player won the 1997 Senior British Open in a playoff for his final major championship victory on the senior circuit and ninth overall.
Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Dave Martin/AP
In 1998 Player, 62, became the oldest golfer to make the cut at the Masters. He also holds the record for most consecutive cuts made at Augusta with 23.
In 1998 Player, 62, became the oldest golfer to make the cut at the Masters. He also holds the record for most consecutive cuts made at Augusta with 23.
Dave Martin/AP
Don Emmert/Getty Images
Player paused as he approached the 18th green at the 2009 Masters, the last of his career. He competed in a record 52 Masters Tournaments.
Player paused as he approached the 18th green at the 2009 Masters, the last of his career. He competed in a record 52 Masters Tournaments.
Don Emmert/Getty Images
Courtesy of Black Knight International
Player remains the only person to win the career Grand Slam on both the PGA Tour and Senior Tour. He won nine majors on each tour.
Player remains the only person to win the career Grand Slam on both the PGA Tour and Senior Tour. He won nine majors on each tour.
Courtesy of Black Knight International
Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/MCT/Sipa USA
Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/MCT/Sipa USA
