One of the true icons of the game and one of the select band of golfers to have won more than 165 worldwide victories. He shares with Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Gene Sarazen and Tiger Woods the distinction of being one of only five golfers to have won the career Grand Slam, made up of all four Major Championships. Player also won nine Majors on the Senior Tour and the Senior Grand Slam.

Turned professional in 1953 and has subsequently travelled more than 30 million kilometers while competing in tournaments all over the world. Won for the first time in 1955 and has since won almost everywhere golf is played worldwide.

Turned 50 in 1985 and immediately won the first Senior Tour event he entered. Went on to win 40 professional events around the world. His haul of nine Senior Major titles equals the nine Majors he won earlier in his career.

Is the figurehead for a number of global companies under the Black Knight International banner, including Gary Player Design, Player Real Estate, the Gary Player Academy of Golf and Black Knight Enterprises, which handles licensing, publishing, golf equipment, apparel and memorabilia. Is an acclaimed golf course architect and has completed more than 400 design projects in 38 different countries. The Gary Player Stud Farm has received worldwide acclaim for breeding top racehorses. The Player Foundation, initially established to provide education for disadvantaged children in South Africa, has also been an outstanding success by raising more than $64 million for underprivileged children around the world. He has received numerous awards in recognition of his contribution to the game of golf.

In 2000 he was awarded the European Senior Tour’s Lladro Lifetime Achievement Award. Twelve months later he was named as the World Golf Hall of Fame’s Global Ambassador. Captained the Rest of the World Team at the UBS Cup matches in 2001, 2002 and 2004, and the International Team in the 2003 and 2007 Presidents Cup. He also captained the South African team in golf’s return to the Olympic Games.