Even at 89, Gary Player is still enjoying his time on the golf course, though not quite at the same level at which he once played.
The nine-time major champion is among an elite group of just six players to have won all four majors in their career.
Rory McIlroy completed that list at The Masters earlier this year. Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods have also done it.
As the first non-American to achieve a career grand slam, the South African’s career was filled with incredible highlights.
In addition to his 24 PGA Tour wins, Player has stayed involved with the game well after stepping away from competition.
What Gary Player scored during a recent round with Charles Barkley
Player found himself back on the course for an enjoyable round last week, according to Charles Barkley.
Barkley shared the experience during an appearance on The Smylie Show: “I played with the great Gary Player last week. He has been a great friend.
“He has become a friend the last two or three years. What a great man. He is turning 90 in the next week or so and he hit every fairway.
“It was amazing to watch. He gave me a bunker lesson and a chipping lesson. He is just a wonderful person,” said the NBA legend.
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Barkley also mentioned how well Player performed, saying: “I think he shot even par. He is hitting it 245, 250 down the middle every time. He is probably 245, I’m not even joking.
“They make these woods so good now, he is hitting a wood and they would land like a butterfly with soft feet.
“He does hit woods into the par fours but I don’t think he’s playing the senior tees, he’s playing the white tees. His grandson plays and I think he beat his grandson. It was incredible.”
Looking back at Gary Player’s PGA Tour record
Player’s remarkable career on the PGA Tour began in 1958 with a win at the Kentucky Derby Open.
He closed out his career two decades later, claiming his final win at the Houston Open in 1978. That same year, he also picked up his third Masters title.
| Year joined | 1957 |
| Events played | 449 |
| Wins | 24 |
| Cuts made | 384/449 |
| Runner-up | 33 |
| Third place | 22 |
| Top five | 109 |
| Top 10 | 177 |
| Official money | $1,834,482 |
His place among golf’s all-time greats is well established, and he has remained an influential figure for those who followed him.
And it is good to see that Player is still involved with the sport, showing glimpses of his old form in recent outings.
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