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. Of the four majors, only the Masters uses the same course each year, Augusta National Golf Club. Several rules and etiquette must be adhered to by both the golfer playing and the spectators, making the event famous for its lengthy history of customs and traditions.
Since its founding in 1934 by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, the Masters Tournament has been held at the Augusta National Golf Club. Alister MacKenzie and Jones worked together to create the course. Further, the Masters winners receive lifetime invitations to the Masters and automatic entry into the other three majors - the PGA Championship, the U. S. Open, and the Open Championship, for the next five years. They also earn invitations to the Players Championship and the validity of the PGA Tour card for five years.
Oldest living Master's champion
Gary Player is the oldest living Master’s champion.
Player was born on November 1, 1935, making him 89 years old as of March 2025. He won the Masters Tournament in 1961, 1974, and 1978. He also has the record for the most Masters Tournament appearances, with the 52nd appearance in 2009. On January 19, 2024, Player became the oldest living Masters champion following the passing of John Joseph Burke Jr., the 1956 champion. As per AP News, at the time of Burke’s passing, he was 10 days short of turning 101.
Player is a retired South African professional golfer who previously competed on the PGA Tour, the Southern Africa Tour, and the PGA Tour Champions. He has won 159 professional tournaments as of March 2025, including 18 major titles: nine on the PGA Tour and nine on the PGA Tour Champions (the senior tour for players 50 or older). He completed the career Grand Slam in 1965 at 29, becoming the youngest to do so at the time and the only non-American to do so too. However, his age record was later broken by Jack Nicklaus (26) and Tiger Woods (24).
Player was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974 and received the highest U.S. civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in 2021. Later in his career, he focused on philanthropy, writing, and golf course design. He has designed over 400 golf courses and authored or co-authored 36 books. In 1983, he founded The Player Foundation to support underprivileged education. In 2012, he became the first international winner of the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award.
Also read: Why Do the Masters Wear Green Jackets?
FAQs on the Who is the 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. He is 89 years old as of March 2025.
