The Masters Tournament is a golf competition that began in 1934, with Horton Smith winning the inaugural event. The Masters is the first of four major tournaments that are played annually, with the second Sunday in April always serving as the final round schedule.
Of the four majors, only the Masters uses the same course each year—Augusta National Golf Club. Winners of the Masters receive lifetime invitations to the Masters and automatic entry into the other three majors, which are the PGA Championship, the US Open, and the Open Championship (British Open), for the next five years.
In addition, they earn invitations to the Players Championship for the five years that follow their triumph and membership on the PGA Tour for the next five seasons. Sam Snead won the first "Green Jacket" in 1949, and the winner also gets to wear one. The winner keeps the jacket home for a year before returning it. A champion will often only own one jacket unless his size drastically changes.
Jack Nicklaus might hold the record for the most Masters victories, winning the tournament six times during his career, but he's not the oldest living Masters winner. Let us delve into who is.
Who is the oldest living Master's champion?
Gary Player the oldest living Master’s champion as of April, 2024.
Born on November 1, 1935, Gary Jim Player DMS, OIG is a retired professional golfer from South Africa who is regarded as one of the all-time greats. He claimed nine major titles on the regular circuit and nine major titles on the Champions circuit. When Player, at 29 years old, won the 1965 US Open, he won the career Grand Slam—the only non-American to win all four majors in one career. He was the youngest player to accomplish this at the time, although Tiger Woods (age 24) and Jack Nicklaus (age 26) later broke this record.
After Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan, Player became the third golfer in history to win the Career Grand Slam; since then, only Woods and Nicklaus have accomplished the same feat. Over seven decades and more than 150 professional tournament victories on six continents, he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974.
Known by the monikers Black Knight, Mr. Fitness, and the International Ambassador of Golf, he is a well-known architect for golf courses, having completed over 400 design projects over five continents globally. In addition, the Player is the author or coauthor of 36 books on fitness, motivation, design, philosophy, and golf instruction. President Donald Trump of the United States presented Player with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on January 7, 2021.
FAQ's On oldest living Masters champion
A. With six Masters titles during his career, Jack Nicklaus owns the record for most victories. In addition, Nicklaus holds the record for the oldest Masters winner. In 1986, he won at the age of 46 years and 82 days.
A. For as long as he wants, Woods has earned the right to play Augusta National, regardless of other people's opinions.
A. Each jacket is stored in the Champions Locker room for a year after that and is only worn within the exact boundaries of Augusta National during Masters Week. But as of late, winners are being given a replica jacket that they are free to retain.
A. Gary Player is the oldest living Masters champion in 2024.
