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South Africa’s record at The Open is a superb one and the source of great pride for the country’s most famous and successful golfer, Gary Player.
In the 160-year history of golf’s original Championship, only the United States, Scotland and England can boast more victories than South Africa’s 10.
What is more, the USA is the sole country with more Open triumphs than South Africa since the Second World War, with Bobby Locke (4), Player (3), Ernie Els (2) and Louis Oosthuizen all having secured wins between 1949 and 2012.
Player, whose successes in The Open came in three different decades courtesy of his wins at Muirfield in 1959, Carnoustie in 1968 and Royal Lytham & St Annes in 1974, is understandably delighted by his nation’s wonderful record.
“Isn’t it remarkable, a small country like South Africa … to win that many Opens post-wartime,” said Player, in an exclusive interview with TheOpen.com to mark his 85th birthday on Sunday. “I’m very proud of our South African players to have done that, it’s quite an accomplishment.”
To read more of Player’s thoughts on South Africa’s success at The Open, go to https://www.theopen.com/Latest/Gary-Player-proud-South-Africa-record.
The R&A