Elder, first Black player to compete in Masters, dies

Lee Elder, a champion of racial justice who in 1975 became the first Black man to compete in the Masters, has died at the age of 87, the PGA Tour said on Monday. A cause of death was not given. Elder made his historic Masters debut in 1975 but it would be more than a […]

Lee Elder, a champion of racial justice who in 1975 became the first Black man to compete in the Masters, has died at the age of 87, the PGA Tour said on Monday.

A cause of death was not given.

Elder made his historic Masters debut in 1975 but it would be more than a decade later in 1990 before Augusta National – one of the world’s most exclusive clubs – would welcome Ron Townsend as its first Black member.

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.