Gary Player's professional golfing career has been remarkable. Having joined the paid playing ranks in 1953, he is still playing exhibitions and hosting clinics 71 years later. He remains physically fit and continues to hit strong drives, as evidenced by his role as honorary starter for The Masters Tournament.
Player was a famed competitor, a steely match player and a habitual winner in his prime. Over a 70 year career he has racked up a remarkable 159 victories. He is a nine-time Major champion and was the first non-American player to complete the career Grand Slam. He accomplished that feat in 1965 upon taking the US Open title at Bellerive Country Club.
