Hello, Golf fans! If you love following the Golf and admire world-class, Gary Player is a name you’ll recognize instantly. Gary Player stands as one of the most decorated golfers in history, a living legend who transformed professional golf into a global sport. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Player became the first non-American to dominate international golf, accumulating over 165 tournament wins across six continents and earning the nickname “The Black Knight” for his signature black attire. His journey from a modest background to becoming one of the world’s richest golfers and most influential sports figures demonstrates not just athletic excellence, but also the power of relentless dedication, global vision, and business acumen.
Gary Player’s Biography
| Attribute | Information |
| Full Name | Gary Jim Player |
| Nicknames | The Black Knight, Mr. Fitness, International Ambassador of Golf |
| Born | November 1, 1935 |
| Age | 90 years old |
| Birthplace | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Height | 5’7″ (1.70 m) |
| Turned Professional | 1953 |
| Education | King Edward VII School, Johannesburg |
| Net Worth | $250 million |
| Annual Salary | ~$20 million |
| Spouse | Vivienne Verwey |
| Relationship Status | Widower |
| @gary.player |
Early Career
Gary Player grew up in Johannesburg during a time of significant social upheaval in South Africa. His father, Harry Player, worked as a gold miner, instilling in young Gary the value of hard work and perseverance. Despite limited resources, Player developed an obsessive passion for golf, practicing relentlessly from childhood. At just 17 years old, he turned professional in 1953, an extraordinarily young age even by standards of that era.
His early years were marked by struggle, traveling extensively across South Africa and beyond to compete in tournaments. Player quickly established himself as a serious competitor, winning his first professional tournament in 1955. These formative years abroad taught him invaluable lessons about adapting to different conditions and cultures, skills that would later define his global success and willingness to travel to tournaments worldwide when many of his American competitors remained largely domestic.
Professional Career
Player’s professional career transformed international golf by proving that success wasn’t limited to American players on American soil. After joining the PGA Tour in 1957, he steadily climbed the rankings, winning 24 PGA Tour events throughout his career. His breakthrough came in 1959 when he won the British Open at Muirfield at age 23, becoming a rising star on the world stage. The early 1960s saw his dominance expand dramatically.
He won the Masters in 1961, making him the first non-American to win that prestigious championship. Just a year later, he captured the PGA Championship in 1962. These victories established Player as a major-championship contender, but his most defining moment came in 1965 at the U.S. Open at Bellerive Country Club near St. Louis, where he became the third golfer in history to win the career Grand Slam (all four major championships).
This achievement, completed at just 29 years old, made him the youngest player to accomplish the feat at that time. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Player proved remarkably durable, winning additional major championships including two more Masters titles (1974, 1978), another Open Championship (1968, 1974), and the PGA Championship (1972). His nine major championship victories rank among the greatest achievements in golf history, placing him fourth all-time alongside Ben Hogan.
Beyond majors, Player won tournaments across every continent, accumulating approximately 165 total professional victories. He famously traveled over 15 million miles during his career, earning the distinction of being the most-traveled athlete in history. His ability to win tournaments on different courses, in different climates, and against different fields demonstrated a level of adaptability and skill that few golfers have matched. Player joined the Champions Tour (then called the Senior PGA Tour) in 1985 at age 50 and immediately dominated, winning 22 additional tournaments and 9 major championships on the seniors circuit, proving he was the only golfer to achieve a career Grand Slam on both the regular tour and the Champions Tour.
Wife
Gary Player married Vivienne Verwey on January 19, 1957, after turning professional just four years earlier. Vivienne, sister of professional golfer Bobby Verwey, became his most important support system throughout his legendary career. The couple had six children together: Jennifer (born 1959), Marc, Wayne, Michele, Theresa, and Amanda-Leigh (born 1973). During the early years of their marriage, Vivienne managed the extraordinary task of traveling internationally with Gary while raising their growing family, often with a nanny and tutor in tow, traveling in commercial flights and hotels before the era of private aviation became common in professional sports.
Their marriage lasted 64 years until Vivienne’s death from pancreatic cancer in August 2021. Gary has spoken openly about how much his wife meant to him, describing her as his “childhood sweetheart,” “rock,” and “soulmate.” He currently has 22 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Since Vivienne’s passing, Player has focused on family, philanthropy, and continuing his work in golf course design and business ventures. He has joked about his continued active lifestyle, stating he’s “got young energy” and maintains the vigor that defines his approach to life even in his 90s.
Gary Player’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Gary Player’s estimated net worth of approximately $250 million makes him one of the wealthiest golfers in history, ranking sixth among the richest golfers of all time, behind Tiger Woods ($1 billion), Arnold Palmer ($700 million), and Phil Mickelson ($300 million). This considerable wealth didn’t come primarily from tournament prize money—his PGA Tour earnings totaled $7.5 million, modest compared to modern golfers—but rather from his exceptional business ventures, endorsement deals, and course design fees. His annual earnings are estimated at $20 million, derived from multiple income streams including his golf course design firm, Gary Player Design, which has completed over 400 projects across 41 countries, generating substantial ongoing royalties. Endorsement deals with major global brands including Rolex (since 1967), Callaway, Coca-Cola, BMW, Sun International, and numerous others contribute $2-4 million annually. Real estate investments, golf course ownership, and licensing of golf apparel, memorabilia, wine, and media rights further diversify his income. His wealth represents not just his golfing talent but also his business acumen and ability to capitalize on his brand across decades.
Prize Money
| Tournament/Achievement | Year | Prize Money |
| Masters Tournament Win | 1961 | $20,000 |
| PGA Championship Win | 1962 | $13,000 |
| U.S. Open Win | 1965 | $26,000 |
| The Open Championship Win | 1974 | $35,439.97 |
| Million Dollar Challenge Win | 1981 | $500,000 |
| PGA Grand Slam of Golf (shared) | 1987 | $12,000 |
| Total PGA Tour Career Earnings | Throughout career | $7,500,000 |
| Champions Tour Career Earnings | 1985-2009 | $6,049,029 |
| Combined Tournament Prize Money | Career total | ~$13,500,000+ |
Endorsements
Gary Player has maintained an extraordinary roster of endorsement deals spanning six decades, making him one of the most visible brand ambassadors in sports history. His partnerships include:
- Rolex – Since 1967 as part of “The Big Three” with Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, making him one of the world’s most iconic watch brand ambassadors
- Callaway Golf – Major golf equipment and apparel sponsorship
- Coca-Cola – Multi-decade partnership including charitable tournament sponsorship
- BMW – Automotive brand ambassador
- Sun International – South African hospitality and resort partnership
- Golf Saudi – Recent partnership with Saudi Arabian golf initiatives
- PXG (Parsons Xtreme Golf) – Golf equipment endorsement
- OnCore Golf – 2019 sponsorship and investment deal
- Vista – Appointed as Brand Ambassador for the world’s first global private aviation group
- Heineken – Beer brand partnership
- Johnny Walker – Scotch whisky endorsement
- UPS, SAP, Canon – Corporate sponsorships and appearances
These endorsement relationships have contributed an estimated $2-4 million annually to Player’s income, with the Rolex partnership being particularly significant given its 58-year history and the brand’s prestige. Unlike many athletes whose endorsement deals fade with retirement, Player’s partnerships have remained remarkably stable due to his continued prominence, active lifestyle, and global recognition.
Career Records
| Record/Achievement | Details | Notable Context |
| Tournament Victories | 163+ professional wins worldwide | Most in professional golf history; across 6 continents |
| Major Championships | 9 major titles | Tied 4th all-time; only 5 players completed career Grand Slam |
| Career Grand Slam | Won all 4 majors; completed age 29 | Youngest at the time; only 6 golfers ever achieved this |
| South African Open | 13 victories | Record number of wins in this national championship |
| Australian Open | 7 victories | Record; no other golfer has matched this total |
| Open Championship | 3 wins across 3 decades | 1959, 1968, 1974; only player in 20th century to do this |
| PGA Championship | 2 victories | 1962, 1972; 10-year span between wins |
| The Masters | 3 victories | 1961 (first international winner), 1974, 1978 |
| U.S. Open | 1 victory | 1965; completed Grand Slam; first non-American winner |
| Consecutive Winning Years | 27 consecutive years | 1955-1982; won at least one tournament each year |
| PGA Tour Victories | 24 wins in 449 starts | 5.3% victory rate; efficiency among elite competitors |
| World Match Play | 5 championships | Consistent success in match play format |
| World Series of Golf | 3 victories | 1965, 1968, 1972 |
| Lowest Score in National Championship | 59 (1974 Brazilian Open) | Only golfer to break 60 in national championship play |
| Masters Appearances | 52 consecutive Masters | Record for most Masters appearances; played ages 26-72 |
| British Open Appearances | 46 consecutive championships | Record for most Open Championship appearances |
| Age Achievements | Made cut at 1998 Masters at age 63 | Oldest to make cut, breaking Sam Snead’s 25-year record |
| Senior PGA Tour | 22 wins; 9 senior majors | Second all-time in senior major championships |
| Notable Opponents | Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Gary Woodland | Competed directly against golf’s greatest players |
FAQs
1. What is Gary Player’s current net worth in 2026?
Gary Player’s net worth in 2026 is estimated at approximately $250 million, making him the sixth richest golfer in history. His wealth comes from tournament prize money, endorsement deals with brands like Rolex and Callaway, his golf course design firm (over 400 projects completed), real estate investments, book sales, and various business ventures.
2. How many major championships did Gary Player win?
Gary Player won nine major championships during his professional career: three Masters Tournaments (1961, 1974, 1978), three Open Championships (1959, 1968, 1974), two PGA Championships (1962, 1972), and one U.S. Open (1965). This ties him for fourth all-time in major championship victories with Ben Hogan, behind only Jack Nicklaus (18), Tiger Woods (15), and Rory McIlroy (6).
3. When did Gary Player complete the career Grand Slam?
Gary Player completed the career Grand Slam in 1965 at age 29 when he won the U.S. Open at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, defeating Kel Nagle in an 18-hole playoff. He became only the third golfer in history to achieve this feat, following Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan. He remains the youngest player to complete the Grand Slam at the time, though Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have since broken this record.
4. How many professional tournament wins does Gary Player have?
Gary Player won 163+ professional tournaments worldwide across six continents throughout his career, the highest total of any professional golfer in history. On the PGA Tour specifically, he won 24 tournaments in 449 starts. He won at least one sanctioned tournament victory in 27 consecutive years (1955-1982), an unmatched record of consistency spanning nearly three decades.
5. What is Gary Player’s height and physical profile?
Gary Player stands at 5 feet 6 inches tall, making him one of the shorter golfers to achieve world-class success in professional golf. Despite his modest stature, he became famous as “Mr. Fitness” for his exceptional dedication to physical conditioning, including disciplined diet, cardiovascular training, and flexibility work that allowed him to compete at the highest levels well into his 70s and 80s.
6. Who was Gary Player’s wife and what happened to her?
Gary Player was married to Vivienne Verwey from January 19, 1957, until her death on August 19, 2021. Vivienne was the sister of professional golfer Bobby Verwey and was an accomplished golfer herself, having achieved two holes-in-one in a single round. She passed away from pancreatic cancer after a brief illness, and Player has remained a widower since her death, continuing his golf and philanthropic work.
7. How many children does Gary Player have?
Gary Player has six children with Vivienne: Jennifer, Marc, Wayne, Michele, Theresa, and Amanda. The family often traveled together during Player’s competitive career, with Vivienne managing the household and ensuring the children received proper education through a private tutor while Player competed internationally. Player also has 22 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
8. What is the Gary Player Foundation and what does it do?
The Gary Player Foundation was established in 1983 with the objective of promoting education among underprivileged children worldwide. The foundation has raised over $100 million for educational and medical causes through charity golf events and global partnerships. One of its major achievements is the Blair Atholl Schools in Johannesburg, South Africa, which provide educational facilities for more than 500 students from kindergarten through eighth grade. The foundation continues Player’s legacy of giving back to communities around the world.
9. How many Instagram followers does Gary Player have?
Gary Player’s Instagram account (@gary.player) has over 224,000 followers as of 2026. His social media presence features content about golf instruction, design projects, family moments, fitness philosophy, charitable work, and insights about his legendary career. The account serves as an active platform where Player shares his continued engagement with the sport and his life philosophy at age 90.
10. What major endorsement deals does Gary Player currently have?
Gary Player maintains active endorsement relationships with several major global brands including Rolex (luxury watches), Callaway (golf equipment), BMW (automobiles), Coca-Cola (beverages), Sun International South Africa (hospitality), PXG (premium golf equipment), and Vista (private aviation). These endorsement partnerships generate an estimated $2-4 million annually and reflect his continued marketability as a golf icon and international ambassador for the sport even at age 90.