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Gary Player to make Masters history

Nine times major champion Gary Player will add another chapter to his illustrious career when he tees off in a record 51st U.S. Masters on Thursday.

Twelve months ago, the 72-year-old South African drew level with American Arnold Palmer after making his 50th start in the opening major of the season.

Always highly competitive, Player said last year he was determined to eclipse Palmer and he plans to keep on competing at Augusta National Golf Club for as long as he can.

"I am thrilled to be breaking my record, Arnold Palmer's record. We both had that record and I think that's really the motive in the back of my mind," the dapper South African told reporters in his build-up to the 72nd Masters.

"If I can walk around here like an athlete, which I can, and I can play reasonably well, then I'd like to keep playing."

"Last year I finished with a 77 when the course was definitely the toughest that it ever was in the history of the tournament. That was really exciting for me."

One of five men to complete a grand slam of all four majors, Player missed the cut last year despite shooting a 77 in the second round when difficult, chilly conditions yielded a scoring average of 75.628.

"If you put that in the proper perspective, it was probably one of the great rounds of my career," added the South African, Masters champion in 1961, 1974 and 1978.

Renowned for his lifelong passion for fitness, Player is still full of energy and credits his longevity to exercise.

"It's a thrill playing there for my 51st occasion and the reason that I'm so thrilled about it is because I've exercised diligently, profusely, for 64 years," he said.

"And that's not easy. Very few people go through their lives exercising for 64 years and it's helped me to have longevity.

"In my career a lot of people ridiculed me and thought I was a nut lifting weights and exercising and dieting the way I do. Now I'm sure there are many of them that wish they had done it. It's certainly held me in good stead.

Player is scheduled to tee off from 0844 local (1244 GMT) with Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez and American D.J. Trahan in Thursday's opening round.

April 9, 2008