Gary Player - The Legend

The 1960’s at Augusta – The Rise of The Big Three

Mar 31, 2010 | Filed Under: General News | Comments: 1   

Augusta is arguably the most storied championships in the game and has always delivered incredible finishes and great champions.  However the 1960’s may have been most memorable decade in its history.  From 1960-1970 The Big Three dominated Augusta unlike any three players ever have and cemented the legends of Player, Palmer and Nicklaus.

In 1960 Arnold Palmer had established himself as one of the game’s greats and kicked off the decade by capturing his second Green Jacket.  In 1961, Gary Player became the first international player ever to win the Masters holding off a late charge by Palmer.  In 1962 Arnold returned the favor and beat Player in an 18-hole playoff to win his second Green Jacket in three years.

In 1963 Jack Nicklaus broke through with his first win while Player and Palmer both finished in the top 10 (Player 5th, Palmer 9th).  In 1964 Palmer won his third beating Jack by 6 shots while Gary racked up another top ten finishing 5th.  In 1965 and 1966 Jack won back to back Masters, the first time in history the feat had been accomplished. In ’65 Player and Palmer tied for second and in ’66 Palmer was 4th. 

1967 was the first year of the decade where one of The Big Three did not take home the title.  Palmer finished 4th, Player 6th and Nicklaus uncharacteristically missed the cut.  In 1968 Jack captured his fourth win of the decade besting Arnie’s three, and Player finished in the top ten once again (7th).  1969 was the only year that The Big Three did not fair well with Nicklaus finishing 24th, Palmer 27th and Player 33rd. 

From 1960-1966 either Player, Palmer or Nicklaus hoisted the trophy and 1967 and 1969 were the only two years that none won the coveted Green Jacket.  During this amazing decade The Big Three won a total of 8 Green Jackets, tallied 15 top ten finishes (Player 7, Palmer 5 and Nicklaus 3) and established themselves as the three best players in the world.

Their stellar play continued throughout their careers and Gary captured two more Green Jackets in 1974 and 1978.  The win in ’78 made Player the oldest player in history (42) to win the Masters player and fittingly that record was broken by Nicklaus in 1986 when he won at the age of 46. 

The careers of these three great champions will always be interlinked, but their endearing friendship and camaraderie over the years is a testament to the people they are.  Arnold Palmer was named the honorary starter in 2009, Jack Nicklaus will tee it up in 2010 and might we see the Black Knight in 2011 to complete The Big Three and continue their legacy?

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