Despite sharing a rivalry over 25 years with Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player has always considered the 6x Masters champion as the greatest ever to swing from the greens. Part of the infamous ‘Big 3,’ Nicklaus has an overall edge over Player, but the 85-year-old never shies away from accepting the fact that even in their retirement, it’s never easy to beat Player. “Gary Player might be, pound for pound, the finest golfer in history. And closing in on 85, he’s still tough to beat! He plays 5 days a week, and as you can see, he’s still trying to learn and always trying to get better,” Nicklaus confessed in 2020. Five years later, while both legends are still going strong in their post-retirement career, Player has paid an ultimate tribute to his “friend” from the North Palm Beach.

While Nicklaus and Player remain best friends to date, facing each other was never easy for either of them during their playing days. Player turned professional in 1959, two years before Nicklaus did. But their quest for success has put them in each other’s firing line several times during their career on the PGA Tour. The first time Player and Nicklaus engaged in direct combat was way back in 1963 at the Palm Springs Golf Classic. The two were tied at the end of regular play and had to go for an 18-hole playoff, which Nicklaus won. Player had to wait another 5 years to get his revenge, earning a Major victory at the 1968 Open Championship by beating Nicklaus with a 2-stroke advantage.

And even though they do not compete today, earlier this year, it did not stop Player from taking a grand slam dig at Nicklaus, earlier this year. “Now, I’m the only one that won the grand slam on the regular tour and the senior tour… if it was that easy why didn’t [Arnold] Palmer, why didn’t [Jack] Nicklaus, why didn’t [Lee] Trevino why didn’t [Tom] Watson do it? Why didn’t they do it if it was that easy?” the South African said. While many assumed it was a growing rift between these two, Player’s recent tribute has put an end to all speculations.

On April 30, Player took to his official X and expressed his gratitude towards the 85-year-old with a heartwarming message, saying, “Your friendship over the years has meant more than words can express. Thank you for your continued support. GP” Player’s tweet read.

Player and Nicklaus are known for their constant battles for success. The former has won 9 Majors throughout his career, while Nicklaus leads the pack with 18 Majors. The duo has also completed the coveted Career Grand Slam, becoming part of a group of only six golfers to have ever achieved this on the PGA Tour. Along with the legendary Arnold Palmer, the duo was known for their success.

Nicklaus, Palmer, and Player revisit the historic Masters clash

Whenever ‘The Golden Bear’, ‘The Knight’, and ‘The Black Knight’ take the field, an intense battle can be expected. Between the three of them, they boast 34 Major wins and 159 titles on the PGA Tour.  It was more than 60 years ago that the trio was locked in a famous battle at Augusta, where all three of them shared a 36-hole lead.

Nicklaus proved to be the better man that day, running away with a nine-stroke lead en route to his fourth Major title and Second victory at the Augusta National Golf Course. During a not-so-recent get-together a few years back, they were asked about that tournament and got vividly different replies. “I remember it. The wrong man won.” Player quipped. “I don’t remember it.” Palmer refused to acknowledge his loss to Nicklaus while the 18-time Major winner Nicklaus slyly remarked, “I remember what the third round was.” The third round was where he broke free from the pressure laid on him by Player and Palmer.

What do you think of the friendship between the old heads? Isn’t it wholesome?