Newtown Square, Pa. When the list of golf’s greatest golfers is discussed, there is one absolute addition for such an august group — Gary Player.

The South African won nine majors spanning three different decades. He is one of  only six men to have achieved the career Grand Slam.

No golfer has likely traveled as many air miles nor hit as many golf shots as Player. His total worldwide victory count is credited at 159.

In 1962, he claimed the first of two PGA Championship titles at Aronimink — the host site for this year’s event.

Player was inducted as part of the class of original honorees to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974.

The 90-year-old was a fitness and diet advocate pioneer long before it became a regular aspect for today’s elite golfers. His mind maintains a laser-like focus and his words outline what it takes to achieve lasting success in the pro golf lane.

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Your 1962 win at the PGA Championship was the third in a major event. What specific memory do you recall vividly from that week at Aronimink?

Winning the PGA Championship at Aronimink in 1962 remains one of the proudest moments of my career because it confirmed to me that I could win major championships anywhere in the world.

I remember the tremendous atmosphere – the members were so kind and still are to this day. I’ve become fond of Philadelphia back then and now. The PGA means so much to me.

What specific aspects of the Donald Ross design at Aronimink suited your game?

Originally the course was tree-lined, and it provided so much for nature. There’s a bit more rough now but Aronomink is an underestimated course and should be rated higher. They deserve more credit. I love the clubhouse and the drive in reminds me of Augusta, having great character.

The course very much rewards discipline, precision, and strategic thinking, and those qualities suited me very well. Aronimink required you to shape the golf ball and think your way around the course. I was never the longest player, but I believed deeply in preparation and fitness to take me through all 72 holes.

In 1962 scheduling meant playing The Open Championship at Royal Troon the week prior to the PGA Championship. You missed the cut at Troon. What was missing from your game in Scotland that you were able to find when competing at Aronimink?

The Open is a very different golf tournament than all the other majors. Sometimes you get the wrong side of the draw with how quickly the weather can change. Really, I only missed the cut by one shot and if I had made it, then you are in contention.

But going to Aronimink early, my confidence was still high. One missed cut can teach you a great deal if you are willing to listen. I have always believed adversity sharpens champions.

Many observers view the PGA Championship as the weakest of the four events. What’s your assessment of the event and do you believe the new May time frame is a plus or minus?

I have never viewed the PGA Championship as the “weakest” major. To win any major championship is extraordinarily difficult.

The PGA has historically assembled perhaps the deepest field in golf because it combines the world’s best players with elite club professionals who have earned their place. Hosting the tournament in May is much better because people are starting their golf season.

From its beginning in 1916 until 1957, the PGA Championship was a match-play event before becoming a 72-hole format which remains today. There was even talk just a few years back of possibly staging the PGA Championship outside the States. What’s your take on the format of the event and whether the championship should periodically be hosted internationally?

Match play is a magnificent format because it tests courage and psychology in a completely different way. A player can recover instantly from a mistake, while stroke play punishes every error over four days. Match play can produce drama that fans truly enjoy.

As for taking the PGA Championship internationally, golf is now a global game. I certainly believe there is room for a major championship to be played abroad, provided the tradition and integrity of the event are preserved.

Great championships should embrace the world, and the PGA of America is a great steward of our game. I would like to personally see it occasionally played in another country with PGAs all over the world.

You were both friends and rivals to Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. If you had only one word to accurately describe each — what one word would you choose?

Arnold Palmer — charisma.
Jack Nicklaus — gentleman.

As a winner of nine major championships — and member of the career Grand Slam club — what are the best shots you played in any of the four key championships?

● The shot at Carnoustie in the 1968 Open that was into the wind and over the iconic “spectacles” bunkers. The ball settled inches from the hole for an eagle.

● The shot over the big willow tree at the 1972 PGA Championship at Oakland Hills, I was right next to the water out of wet rough. The ball ended up 2 ½ feet from the hole.

● The approach shot on the 71st hole at the 1974 Masters, 8 inches from the hole, which helped secure my second green jacket.

● The 22-foot birdie putt at the 1978 Masters’ 72nd hole to finish with a final round of 64, where experience and calmness mattered greatly. No one had holed a putt from above the hole to win the tournament at that point.

Curious to know — if you had to take a mulligan for any shot you played in a major championship in which specific situation would you opt to take one?

On the 18th hole at the Masters, I hit a 6 iron to the green. I needed 3 to win and 4 to tie, so I went right at the flag because I felt confident. It was the wrong decision. I should have played to the middle.

Also I would make Arnold Palmer take a mulligan after sinking a chip from way above the hole on the 16th at the Masters in the final round of 1962. When I saw his tee shot land, I told my caddie that we had the tournament won. It was an incredible shot by Arnold and if you know how severe the 16th green is, you understand why I thought he had no chance of going up and down, let alone knocking it in.

If you could change one thing in golf unilaterally, what would it be and why?

Create a golf ball that is designated for professional golfers in tournaments. Keep advancing equipment for amateurs.

Best advice you ever received — what was it and who was it from?

When I was on a run with my brother as a young boy, I was exhausted and had to stop. I looked at him and said “I can’t do this.” He had me write the word “can’t” in the dirt, then crossed out the “‘t” – a moment I will remember for the rest of my life.

Best advice you can give to someone interested in becoming a tour professional is what?

Do you want it bad enough? The odds are stacked against you. I took a chance and it’s only by the grace of God that I managed to do it. If you want to become a tour professional, first understand that talent alone is never enough. You must learn discipline, sacrifice and resilience.

Practice with purpose. Take care of your body. Learn to win when you do not have your best golf. Most importantly, understand that pressure is a privilege. The greatest players embrace difficult moments because that is where greatness reveals itself. Don’t let it discourage you, dream big.

Complete the sentence — Gary Player is —

Gary Player is a man who has great love for all.

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