Gary Player is one of the most successful players in Masters history, with the South African winning three times at Augusta National during his incredible career.
Just three players have won The Masters more often than Player. The 1961 event was the site of his first major victory in the United States.
Meanwhile, Player’s ninth and final major win came at Augusta National. In 1978, he came from seven shots back ahead of the last day to win by one, thanks to a round of 64.
That performance saw Player tie the record for the lowest round at the iconic venue.
What Gary Player thought a seven handicap would shoot around Augusta National
The 90-year-old continued to play the first major of the year until 2009 when he bowed out at the age of 73.
Player certainly did not disgrace himself with his rounds of 78 and 83.
And while it is almost impossible for most golfers to have any idea of just how good that performance was – Augusta National remains one of the most exclusive clubs in the world – Player explained to Golf Digest later that year what would happen if a single digit handicap golfer took on the hallowed grounds from the same tees.
“Of course I would give you strokes because if you’re a seven handicap and we played off the back tees, in a practice round without any of the pressure, I’d probably shoot 76. And as a seven handicap, you couldn’t break 90. Not even a chance,” he said.
Why Gary Player believes he retired from playing The Masters too early
It is truly remarkable how well Player has looked after himself over the years. He puts a lot of people to shame with his fitness regime.
Player made his first appearance in a major in 1956, finishing fourth at The Open Championship. He went on to make his final top 10 in a major – a tied second place finish at the PGA Championship – nearly three decades later.
He was continuing to play long after both Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus had called time on their careers. And in the same interview, he was asked about outlasting his two great rivals.
“But that was going to happen automatically because I’ve watched what I ate more than they did. And I exercised extremely hard. It was really an automatic, wasn’t it? If you look at the time I put into exercise, and watching my diet, compared to what they did, it’s not even close,” he said.
“You also have to be lucky to be healthy. And quite honestly, I retired too early from the Masters, because I broke 80 again. Yes, quite honestly, I think I retired too early. But be that as it may, that’s my decision, and that’s it.”
The astonishing thing is you would not at all be surprised to see Player break his age if he played from the back tees at Augusta National today.
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