Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Gary Player exposed truth US media ignored about his rivalry with Jack Nicklaus

Originally posted on HITC | By Antony Martin | Last updated Oct 26, 2025 9:25 AM ET

Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus spent years going head-to-head in golf’s biggest tournaments. However, these days, they share a close friendship built on decades of shared history.

Player achieved 159 wins globally, with nine of those being major titles. On the other hand, Nicklaus concluded his career with 73 PGA Tour victories, including a record-setting 18 majors.

The two icons often voice their concerns about how the game has changed over time, noting the impact of modern equipment and how well-maintained courses have become compared to when they played.

Both men still hold numerous PGA Tour records and remain two of the most recognised figures in golf history.

Their rivalry often saw them paired together late on Sundays and some decades later, Player has made a significant claim regarding his record against the Golden Bear, a detail previously unknown to fans.

Gary Player speaks on his head-to-head record against Jack Nicklaus

Photo by Richard Heathcote/R&A/R&A via Getty Images

Player has always been comfortable sharing his views, even when they stir up a bit of debate.

In a video interview for The Average Golfer YouTube channel back in 2024, the South African was asked if there was ever an opponent who had him beaten before the first shot.

He replied: “Jack Nicklaus and I went down the line a lot and I think I beat him as many times as he beat me.

“American newspapers won’t ever put that in, but it’s a fact. I played him in South Africa, I annihilated him, played him in Australia, I beat him, I won more Australian Opens, won more senior majors.

“He is my best friend, he and Palmer were my best friends, but whenever we played, I never felt he was going to beat me.

“I can honestly say whenever I played against anybody I felt I was going to beat them and secondly I never choked.

“Now, I didn’t always win, I finished second in seven majors but I didn’t choke. Somebody played a better shot than me or I didn’t play the right shot, but I never choked.”

Comparing Player and Nicklaus by the Numbers

Player and Nicklaus both have two of the most impressive records in golf history.

Here is how their careers compare:

Achievements	Player	Nicklaus
Events played on the PGA Tour	449	584
PGA Tour wins	24	73
Major wins	9	18
Worldwide victories	159	117
PGA Tour top-5s	109	209
PGA Tour top-10s	177	286
PGA Tour cuts made	384	495