Gary Player completed the career Grand Slam in 1965 at the US Open with his victory at Bellerive Country Club.
Player got the better of Kel Nagle in a sudden-death playoff to lift the US Open trophy, after shooting rounds of 70, 70, 71 and 71.
The South African went on to win a further five major championships after that victory at Bellerive.
The now 90-year-old was an incredibly fierce competitor on the golf course.
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Perhaps it should be no surprise then that Player never pulls any punches when offering his opinion on the current goings on in the world of professional golf.
However, it’s also fair to say that the nine-time major winner doesn’t get the credit that he truly deserves.
Player is unquestionably one of the best golfers in the history of the game, and something he did after his US Open victory way back in 1965 well and truly went under the radar.
What Gary Player did after his 1965 US Open win was remarkable
Player received $26,000 for his US Open victory in 1965.
60 years later, and the player who finished in last place after making the cut at Oakmont took home just over $41,000.
That is quite incredible really when you think about it.
And even more amazing was the gesture that the South African made after completing the career Grand Slam.
Player gave his winner’s cheque back to the USGA and asked that it be donated to cancer research and the development of junior golf in the United States.
Hats off to the 90-year-old for that gesture.
After his tough upbringing in life, Player has always made giving back a priority.
It’s a real shame that more modern-day golfers don’t do the same.
Gary Player’s incredible wealth
Player has earned the vast majority of his money since he stopped playing competitively.
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Incredibly, the South African has amassed a $250 million fortune, and sits in sixth place on the all-time list of money earned by golfers.
Tiger Woods leads the way having earned $1 billion throughout his career.
Woods is followed by Arnold Palmer, who amassed a wealth of $700 million then Phil Mickelson, Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman, who all have racked up $400 million fortunes.
The great thing is that Gary Player has been extremely generous with his money throughout his career.
And no matter what you think of him, he’s surely deserving of huge credit for that.
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