The Legacy
From Johannesburg to the top of world golf — the story of Gary Player, the most travelled athlete in the history of sport and one of the greatest champions the game has ever known.
The Man
Gary James Player was born in Johannesburg, South Africa on November 1, 1935. He turned professional at eighteen and arrived on the world stage with little money, a homemade swing — and a work ethic no one in golf had ever seen.
At a time when professionals avoided the gym for fear of "losing their touch," Player trained like a fighter: weights, sit-ups, sprints, nutrition. They called him Mr. Fitness, and golf eventually followed his lead — about forty years later.
He dressed in black, he said, to draw the strength of the sun. The look became the most famous in golf, and the name stuck: the Black Knight.
“The harder you practice, the luckier you get.”Gary Player
The Road
Born November 1 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Loses his mother at eight; learns the game at Virginia Park.
At eighteen, with borrowed funds and boundless self-belief, Gary turns pro and sets out to play the world.
Wins The Open Championship at Muirfield at age 23, the first of three Open titles across three different decades.
Becomes the first international player to win the Masters Tournament — and joins Palmer and Nicklaus as one of golf's "Big Three."
Wins the U.S. Open at Bellerive to complete the career Grand Slam — the first non-American ever to do it, and only the third golfer in history.
Wins both the Masters and The Open in a single season, and is inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame as a charter member.
Seven shots back entering Sunday at Augusta, Gary birdies seven of the last ten holes, shoots a final-round 64, and wins his ninth and final major at 42.
Through course design, the Gary Player Invitational charity series, and the Black Knight brands, his name stands for excellence, fitness and giving back.
The Record
Carry the standard
Equipment and apparel built to the only standard Gary Player ever accepted: the championship one.
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