Lee Elder, the first Black golfer to ever play at the Masters, has died at the age of 87, the PGA Tour confirmed on Monday, November 29.

Elder broke through Augusta's race barrier in 1975, and in 1979 he became the first Black man to represent the United States in the Ryder Cup.

Elder won four PGA Tour events during his career and later won eight events on the Senior PGA Tour.

Earlier this year, Elder joined Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player as an honorary starter at the Masters.

Elder leaps for joy after winning the Monsanto Open in 1974. The playoff victory, his first on the PGA Tour, clinched his spot at the Masters.
Elder leaps for joy after winning the Monsanto Open in 1974. The playoff victory, his first on the PGA Tour, clinched his spot at the Masters.
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Elder shares a laugh with Arnold Palmer in 1975, a week before his Masters debut.
Elder shares a laugh with Arnold Palmer in 1975, a week before his Masters debut.
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Elder watches a chip shot at the 1975 Masters. Elder broke into the game during the 1960s and 70s, a notoriously volatile period for race relations in the United States. At one tournament, he had been forced to change in the parking lot after being refused entry to the clubhouse; during another, his ball had been hurled into a hedge by a spectator.
Elder watches a chip shot at the 1975 Masters. Elder broke into the game during the 1960s and 70s, a notoriously volatile period for race relations in the United States. At one tournament, he had been forced to change in the parking lot after being refused entry to the clubhouse; during another, his ball had been hurled into a hedge by a spectator.
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Elder sits in a golf cart while at the 1977 Masters. He missed the cut in his 1975 debut, but he finished tied for 19th in 1977.
Elder sits in a golf cart while at the 1977 Masters. He missed the cut in his 1975 debut, but he finished tied for 19th in 1977.
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Elder competes in the 1977 Tournament of Champions.
Elder competes in the 1977 Tournament of Champions.
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Elder and his wife, Sharon, attend a gala event together in 1979.
Elder and his wife, Sharon, attend a gala event together in 1979.
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Elder shows off a $60,000 check after winning the Westchester Classic in 1978.
Elder shows off a $60,000 check after winning the Westchester Classic in 1978.
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Elder was part of the US team that won the Ryder Cup in 1979. He was the first Black man to represent the United States in the Ryder Cup.
Elder was part of the US team that won the Ryder Cup in 1979. He was the first Black man to represent the United States in the Ryder Cup.
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Elder won eight Senior PGA Tour events from 1984-1988.
Elder won eight Senior PGA Tour events from 1984-1988.
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Elder poses with Tiger Woods at the 2000 Masters. "Lee Elder meant a lot to me because he was the first," Woods said after winning his first Masters. "He was the one that I looked up to. And because of what he did, I was able to play here, which was my dream."
Elder poses with Tiger Woods at the 2000 Masters. "Lee Elder meant a lot to me because he was the first," Woods said after winning his first Masters. "He was the one that I looked up to. And because of what he did, I was able to play here, which was my dream."
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Elder hits a tee shot during a Champions Tour event in 2004.
Elder hits a tee shot during a Champions Tour event in 2004.
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Elder, top left, poses for a photo at the Tour Championship in 2005. With Elder, from left, are Carl Seldon, John Bailey, Calvin Peete and Pete Brown. Peete was one of the most successful Black golfers on the PGA Tour, winning 12 times. Brown was the first Black golfer to win a PGA Tour event.
Elder, top left, poses for a photo at the Tour Championship in 2005. With Elder, from left, are Carl Seldon, John Bailey, Calvin Peete and Pete Brown. Peete was one of the most successful Black golfers on the PGA Tour, winning 12 times. Brown was the first Black golfer to win a PGA Tour event.
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Elder signs autographs at the 2008 Masters.
Elder signs autographs at the 2008 Masters.
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Elder and Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, pose for a picture at the 2020 Masters. The Masters was honoring Elder by announcing scholarships at local colleges in his name.
Elder and Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, pose for a picture at the 2020 Masters. The Masters was honoring Elder by announcing scholarships at local colleges in his name.
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Elder acknowledges applause as he joins Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus as honorary starters at the <a target="_blank">2021 Masters.</a>
Elder acknowledges applause as he joins Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus as honorary starters at the 2021 Masters.
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