In 1955 Player entered competition on the Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA) circuit of tournaments, and in 1961 he was the leading winner of prize money on the circuit. His international record, unsurpassed by any golfer, was a tribute to his remarkable fitness and love of competition. Player was an integral part of the popularization of golf in the 1960s, as his weekly competitions with fellow golf stars Jack Nicklaus (Nicklaus, Jack) and Arnold Palmer (Palmer, Arnold) showcased the sport being played at its highest level. His nine career wins at the major tournaments—the British Open (1959, 1968, 1974), the Masters (Masters Tournament) (1961, 1974, 1978), the PGA Championship (1962, 1972), and the U.S. Open (United States Open Championship) (1965)—are the fourth highest total in golf history (tied with Hogan). He also won the South African Open 13 times, the Australian Open 7 times, and the World Series of Golf 3 times (1965, 1968, 1972). In addition to his professional golfing career, Player in the 1980s launched a successful career as a golf-course designer.