Lee Elder, 1st Black golfer to play Masters, dies at 87
By Lauren Silver, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Lee Elder, credited with breaking racial barriers as the first Black golfer to play in the Masters tournament, died Sunday, The Associated Press reported.
Elder had been in declining health and had most recently been seen in photographs wearing an oxygen tube on his face. No cause of death was immediately reported, per the Associated Press.
Elder broke into golf in the 1960s and 1970s, playing the Masters for the first time in 1975. He qualified that year after winning a tournament in Pensacola, Florida, but said he considered whether he should accept the invitation to the Masters because of the negative reaction to his win, CNN reported.
Tributes to Elder appeared on Twitter from fellow golfers and fans. Golf legend Jack Nicklaus said on the social media site, “Yes, he was the first (B)lack golfer to play in @TheMasters, but that simply underlined the hard work Lee put in to further the cause of everyone who has a dream to play on the @PGATOUR and thinks there were too many barriers before them.”
Elder went on to become the first Black man to represent the United States Ryder cup team in 1979, CNN reported.
Last April, the Masters honored Elder by having him join Nicklaus and Gary Player for the ceremonial opening tee shots, the Associated Press reported.
Photos: Lee Elder through the years 18 Apr 1997: Lee Elder watches the ball fly during the Senior''s Championship in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Photos: Lee Elder through the years 12th October 1978: Lee Elder, American golfer, striding towards the ball on the green during a competition. (Photo by Frank Tewkesbury/Evening Standard/Getty Images) (Frank Tewkesbury/Getty Images)
Photos: Lee Elder through the years Mar 1993: Lee Elder watches the ball fly during the GTE West Classic in Ojai, California. Mandatory Credit: Gary Newkirk /Allsport (Gary Newkirk/Getty Images)
Photos: Lee Elder through the years Mar 1993: Lee Elder hits the ball during the GTE West Classic in Ojai, California. Mandatory Credit: Gary Newkirk /Allsport (Gary Newkirk/Getty Images)
Photos: Lee Elder through the years 21 Oct 1994: Lee Elder hits a shot during the Ralph''s Senior Classic in Rancho Park, California. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Photos: Lee Elder through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 26: Professional golfer Robert Lee Elder attends the BET Awards third annual ''Power to End Strokes'' golf tournment at the Angeles National Golf Course on June 26, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Photos: Lee Elder through the years PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 09: Lee and Sharon Elder walk the red carpet during the Erving Classic Black Tie and Pairings Party at Logan Philadelphia Ballroom on September 9, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Julius Erving Golf Classic (PGD Global Event)) (Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Julius Erving G)
Photos: Lee Elder through the years AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 08: Honorary Starter Lee Elder of the United States looks on prior to the opening ceremony during 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)
Photos: Lee Elder through the years AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 08: Honorary Starter Lee Elder of the United States (L), honorary starter and Masters champion Gary Player of South Africa and honorary starter and Masters champion Jack Nicklaus look on 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)
Photos: Lee Elder through the years LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 02: Retired golfer Lee Elder attends a game between the Connecticut Sun and the Las Vegas Aces during their game at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on June 2, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Sun defeated the Aces 80-74. Elder will become the first African American to receive the United States Golf Association's Bob Jones Award, the association's highest honor, at Pebble Beach Golf Links during the week of the 2019 U.S. Open later this month. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images ) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photos: Lee Elder through the years LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 07: Former professional golfer Lee Elder attends the Woodson Las Vegas MGM Resorts Invitational at Shadow Creek Golf Course on July 07, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for PGD Global) (Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for PGD Global)
Photos: Lee Elder through the years AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 10: Lee Elder has lunch during a practice round prior to the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on November 10, 2020 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) (Rob Carr/Getty Images)