Who was the first African-American golfer to play in the Masters?

Lee Elder was the first African-American golfer to play in the Masters. He broke the tournament’s color barrier in 1975 after qualifying through his victory at the 1974 Monsanto Open, which earned him an invitation to Augusta National.

Elder’s achievement came after a long professional career shaped by segregation. He began on the United Golf Association Tour, which provided competition for Black golfers excluded from the PGA Tour, and won 18 of 22 tournaments during one remarkable stretch. After the PGA of America lifted its racial membership restriction in 1961, Elder earned his PGA Tour card for the 1968 season.

At the 1975 Masters, Elder shot 74 in the first round and 78 in the second, missing the cut. His presence nevertheless marked a major moment in golf history. He later became the first Black American golfer to qualify for the Ryder Cup, in 1979.

Elder returned to the Masters several more times and was honored as an honorary starter in 2021. He died later that year, aged 87.