Player to end Masters career

The South African legend calls time on a playing career at Augusta National that has seen him win three Green Jackets

Alex Narey
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Three-time Green Jacket winner, Gary Player, has revealed that this week’s Masters at Augusta will his last. The 73-year-old announced his decision after completing a practice round on Monday.

Player played in his first US Masters in 1951, and won nine majors in an illustrious career, including Green Jackets in 1961, 1974 and 1978. He is one of only seven Masters champions to have won three or more Green Jackets, and this week marks his 52nd appearance at Augusta National.

‘I have decided that I would like to make this my last appearance in the tournament,” said Player. "I have enjoyed it very much, as well as meeting all the people over the years. Oh, and of course all the battles that I had with Arnold [Palmer] and Jack [Nicklaus]."

Player cited the length of the course as the primary factor, adding: “I'm exercising profusely, but it's very difficult at 73 to build strength. The golf course is so long. It is just so long. I mean, I'm hitting a wood to almost every single hole.

Player said his greatest Masters memory was winning the tournament in 1978 at the age of 42.

 

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Alex Narey
Alex Narey
Content Editor

Alex began his journalism career in regional newspapers in 2001 and moved to the Press Association four years later. He spent three years working at Dennis Publishing before first joining Golf Monthly, where he was on the staff from 2008 to 2015 as the brand's managing editor, overseeing the day-to-day running of our award-winning magazine while also contributing across various digital platforms. A specialist in news and feature content, he has interviewed many of the world's top golfers and returns to Golf Monthly after a three-year stint working on the Daily Telegraph's sports desk. His current role is diverse as he undertakes a number of duties, from managing creative solutions campaigns in both digital and print to writing long-form features for the magazine. Alex has enjoyed a life-long passion for golf and currently plays to a handicap of 13 at Tylney Park Golf Club in Hampshire.

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