(AUGUSTA, GEORGIA) Monday, April 6, 2009 – Following his first practice round today at the Masters Tournament, Gary Player announced at a press conference that this, his 52nd and record-setting appearance, will be his last.
At 73 years of age, the Black Knight will tee it up for the 52nd time this week at Augusta National where he donned a Green Jacket in 1961, 1974 and 1978. This means Player will have spent one full year of his life competing in the Masters, beginning in 1957 at the age of 21.
While feeling as fit and healthy as ever, Player’s decision is based purely on the fact that he can no longer compete at Augusta National – despite his surprising 2nd round score of 78 last year that beat more than half the field. Consequently, he recently made a personal decision to make his 52nd Masters appearance, and what will be his 164th tournament round at Augusta National, his last.
“I can’t begin to express the fond memories I have of the Masters and everything that comes with it… slipping into the Green Jacket; the Southern hospitality of the patrons; the interviews under the oak tree, the rigorous competition; the Champions Dinner; the roars on Amen Corner; the drive down Magnolia Lane. I’m going to miss walking up the 18th fairway each year, but my time has come to say goodbye as a competitor,” said Gary Player before formally making the announcement to the press.
Three victories, 15 top ten finishes, a record 23 consecutive cuts and 52 years later, Gary Player joins seven fellow South Africans in the field this week, including last year’s Champion Trevor Immelman. Immelman is the 2nd South African to win a Green Jacket after Player, who became the first international champion in 1961.
Gary Player has also been a two-time runner-up at the Masters (1962 & 1965) and has finished in the top five on eight occasions. He surpassed Arnold Palmer’s record of 50 Masters appearances when he competed for the 51st time last year, shooting a 78 on Friday under difficult conditions. Player deems that one of his best rounds of all time at the Masters – certainly in his top ten.
Notes to Editors:
About Gary Player
Gary Player has won 163 professional golf tournaments worldwide, including nine major championships on both the regular PGA Tour and Champions Tour. He became the third man to capture golf’s coveted Grand Slam (after Hogan & Sarazen) when he won the US Open at Bellerive in 1965. Off the course, Player has an unparalleled résumé that includes over 30 years in the golf course design business and a portfolio of more than 300 golf courses worldwide; he has raised over $30 million for underprivileged children’s education globally through the efforts of The Player Foundation; has bred over 2000 winning racehorses on the Gary Player Stud Farm in South Africa; and in 1995 he received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from St. Andrews University. In recognition of his achievements in golf and his dedication to charity, Player has also received awards including the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award, and the 2006 Payne Stewart Award. He currently serves as the Global Ambassador to the World Golf Hall of Fame and has been dubbed The World’s Most Traveled Athlete™ with over 14 million miles traveled. www.garyplayer.com/legend
Transcript
For a complete transcript of Gary Player’s press conference at Augusta National on Monday, April 6, 2009 visit www.asapsports.com.
Photos
To request supporting imagery spanning Gary Player’s career at the Masters, contact David Farrell, Archivist, Black Knight International at +1 561 624 0300 or david@garyplayer.com.
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Black Knight International
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