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Lee Elder, first Black golfer to play the Masters, dies at 87

By WSBTV.com News Staff

The Masters - Round One AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 08: Honorary starter and Masters champion Gary Player of South Africa, honorary starter Lee Elder of the United States Masters Chairman Fred Ridley and honorary starter and Masters champion Jack Nicklaus pose for a photo on the first tee during the opening ceremony prior to the start of the first round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 08, 2021 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

By WSBTV.com News Staff

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Lee Elder, the first Black golfer to ever play at the Masters, has died at the age of 87.

The PGA Tour confirmed Elder’s passing Monday morning.

“Lee Elder has passed away at the age of 87. In 1975, he made history as the first African American to compete in the Masters Tournament. Lee was honored this past April at Augusta National and his legacy will surely live on,” the tour wrote.

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Elder became the first African-American to ever play in the Masters when he competed in the 1975 tournament at the age of 40. He missed the cut by four strokes but would play in five more Masters. Elder finished his career with four PGA Tour wins.

Earlier this year, Elder was honored with the ceremonial tee shot for the 2021 Masters Tournament with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.

“For me and my family, I think it was one of the most emotional experiences that I have ever witnessed or been involved in,” Elder said in April.

Nicklaus said Elder was a pioneer in more ways than one.

“Lee Elder was a pioneer, and in so many ways,” Nicklaus wrote on his Twitter account. “Yes, he was the first Black golfer to play in the Masters Tournament, but that simply underlined the hard work Lee put in to further the cause of everyone who has a dream to play on the PGA Tour and perhaps thinks there were too many barriers before them. It was wonderful that The Masters and Augusta National paid a well-deserved tribute to Lee by inviting him to be an Honorary Starter on this last Masters. That morning, you could see the joy in Lee’s face, and Gary Player and I were honored to enjoy that moment with him.”

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Augusta National also helped fund the men’s golf team and create a women’s golf program at Paine College in Elder’s honor. Two Lee Elder scholarships will go to a player on each team.

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