American Lee Elder, the first black golfer to play in the Masters, has died at 87, the PGA Tour, the US men’s professional golf tour, announced on Monday.
Elder, who fought racism throughout his career, in 1975 became the first African-American to participate in the Masters Tournament.
The PGA Tour had decided to honor him during the last Masters played in Augusta by inviting him to start the competition.
He was also the first African-American to compete in a tournament on the US professional tour, in 1961, after the PGA Tour lifted the ban on entry to competitions for non-white people.
“Bursts of applause”
Elder won his first tournament, the Monsanto Open in Florida, in 1974, before winning in Houston in 1976 as well as the Greater Milwaukee and Westchester Classic in 1978. “In 1975 [au Masters], I remember being extremely nervous going to the first tee, ”said Elder this year.
“It was a wonderful day. Along the way, I received rounds of applause. It helped me calm down and focus on my game, ”he added.
The Dallas, Texas native has played five Masters in total and also won the Ryder Cup, the tournament that pits America’s top golfers against Europe’s top golfers, in 1979.
“Lee Elder was a pioneer, and in many ways,” legendary Jack Nicklaus told the site PGATour.com.
“Lee was a good player, but above all a good man who was well respected by countless people. Golf has lost a hero. “