The Masters: Greatest Champions in Tournament History

Gary Player (winner in 1961, 1974 and 1978)

Player, a native of South Africa, has the distinction of being the first international player to ever claim the Masters title. His win in 1961, a one-stroke victory over defending champion Arnold Palmer and amateur Charles Coe, remained the only international victory in the event until Player won it again in 1974. In fact, it wasn’t until 1980 that an international player not named Gary Player won at Augusta (Seve Ballesteros won in 1980, one of five international champions in that decade).

Player also won over fans with his genuine personality and style on the course. He won nine major championships during his storied career, including the career grand slam.

Player took advantage of his lifetime exemption in the Masters by playing in the event until 2009, when he was 73 years old. He actually made the cut in the event in 1998 at 62 years old, finishing in 46th place. He placed in the top 10 at the Masters on 15 occasions, including his three wins (1961, 1974 and 1978). He was second in the Masters twice and third once.

In 2012, Player joined Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer as honorary starters. The three players, known as the “Big Three”, got the tournament underway every year until Palmer’s death in 2016. Player and Nicklaus are still scheduled to be this year’s honorary starters when the Masters is played in November.

Player is one of the more popular winners in Masters history. While he’s not quite on the level of Palmer and Nicklaus, one will not be able to tell the story of the Masters tournament without mentioning Gary Player.