Gary Player has inspired global golf over past half-century

The first leg of his estimated 15 million air miles sent Gary Player to St. Andrews in 1955 for the British Open, a small step for a South African man with big ambitions.

He packed two pairs of trousers, two shirts, one pair of shoes and his golf clubs. He had his life savings in his pockets, about 200 British pounds. And he couldn't find an affordable roof over his head when he arrived.

"I couldn't get a hotel for under 50 pounds. That was a quarter of my wealth," Player said. "I slept in one of those dunes where they filmed 'Chariots of Fire.' I slept on the beach that night. And the next day, I found a room for 12 schillings and 6 pence."

So began one of golf's most amazing journeys.

Player wasn't the first golfer to travel the world, but none has been more prolific.

"He influenced the growth of the game internationally quite a bit," Jack Nicklaus said. "There were a lot of players who traveled extensively. Still, Gary probably traveled more than anyone, and still does. He is, and always has been, a great ambassador of the game."

Along with his nine major championships, the career Grand Slam and victories in just about every country that has a golf course, Player's legacy will be felt strongest at Augusta National when he competes in his 50th consecutive Masters, tying the record set three years ago by Arnold Palmer.

The first Masters in 1934 had three international players.

Player was among 11 international players -- five from Canada -- when he made his Masters debut in 1957.

When the 71st Masters begins Thursday, there will be a record 50 international players from 20 countries on every continent where golf is played, from Fiji to France, from India to Ireland, from Colombia to Trinidad & Tobago.

For the first time in Masters history, international players outnumber Americans.

In many respects, Player paved the way.

"I was pretty inspired when I read his autobiography -- I read it twice when I was a youngster," U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy of Australia said. "He proved you can come from a less-than-ideal scenario to the U.S. tour, and it was a long way from South Africa, especially 50 years ago. Very impressive."

Even now, Player goes about life as if the next day is his last.

He estimates he has hit more than 11 million golf balls, and probably has done as many sit-ups. He was a fitness freak before athleticism among golfers was in vogue. He needed to be in shape to log so many miles.

Check out his itinerary over the past two months leading into the Masters.

He went from Johannesburg to Singapore to Japan to Hawaii, where he twice broke his age with rounds of 69 at a Champions Tour event. He went from Houston to New York to Abu Dhabi to Dubai, back to New York and to West Palm Beach. While in Florida, he shot his age (71) at another Champions Tour event. He went home to South Africa, and returns to America for his favorite event.

In this era of private jets, Player still goes commercial.

"Pretty remarkable," said Tiger Woods, who gets around the world in a Gulfstream V. "He was the first real global player. I mean, he played everywhere. It's hard to imagine. Ernie (Els) does it now and he has his own G-IV. From the times I've talked to Jack and Arnold, they said flying privately has prolonged their career. Just imagine if Gary would have come along in this day and age."

His first trip to the Masters took 40 hours from Johannesburg to Augusta, Ga., with five layovers.

"And it was those Constellation jets, where you could hear the droning at 29,000 feet amongst the storms," Player recalled. "There were no first-class seats. I traveled with six children on those planes. I had to win the tournament to break even."

He didn't win his first Masters until 1961 -- the first international player in a green jacket.

"There's been a lot of international players who have won, and it made me feel good," Player said. "Because being small in stature, I could go there and win, and these other guys said, 'Listen, if that little runt can do it, I know I can.' So it has encouraged people to go on and play well."

Player will be among six South Africans in the Masters. There will be seven players from Australia, tied with England for most from one country outside the United States. Sweden has five players, Spain has four, Japan and South Korea two each.

"You need heroes to kind of fire you up, and he was definitely one of them," said Els, a fellow South African. "I probably know just about every major he's won and where he's won it. It shows you the influence he's had on my life and my career."

Player seems to belong to every nation, perhaps because he has been to most of them. He was part of the "Big Three" with Palmer and Nicklaus, playing exhibitions all over the world to help grow the game.

"He has led a great thing for international golf, which is something that I tried to create when I went to the British Open in 1960," Palmer said. "Did I ever think that it would be, in less than 50 years, as huge and competitive as it is? I'm not so sure. But I think it's wonderful, and I think it will get bigger and better."

"Other tours have taken great strides," South Africa's Trevor Immelman said. "But if we're honest with ourselves, if you want to be the best, you have to be in America on the PGA Tour. When you're an international player, you know that growing up. And you know what you have to do. Gary laid out the path."

Player returned to St. Andrews for the British Open two years ago, the 50-year anniversary of his debut. Before checking into a five-star hotel, he went out to the beach along St. Andrews Bay.

"I went to that same spot where I had slept," Player said. "I knelt down and said a prayer. That's where it all started. I was so fortunate to win so many tournaments around the world. And I said a prayer of thanks."

THE MASTERS

Facts and figures from The Associated Press for the 71st Masters Tournament:

WHEN/WHERE: Thursday-April 8, Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Ga.

COURSE: 7,445 yards; Par, 36-36--72.

PURSE: To be determined ($7 million in 2006).

FIELD: 97 players (five amateurs).

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Phil Mickelson.

LAST YEAR: Mickelson completed the third round Sunday morning with a one-shot lead, then pulled away from Fred Couples on his way to a 3-under 69 for a two-shot victory over Tim Clark. He finished at 7-under 281 for his second green jacket, and second consecutive major after winning the '05 PGA Championship.

NOTABLE: Ten years ago, Tiger Woods became the youngest Masters champion at age 21, winning by 12 strokes. ... Woods and Mickelson have combined to win five of the past six Masters.

TV: Thursday and Friday, 1-4 p.m., USA; Saturday, 12:30-4 p.m., KING/5; Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m., KING/5

By DOUG FERGUSON