Lee Elder becomes the first Black golfer to compete in the Masters Tournament at Augusta National.
At a Glance
- Date
- 10 April 1975
- Location
- Augusta, Georgia
- Key people
- Lee Elder
- Category
- Sports
- Source
- PGA records (1975) · PGA of America
What It Meant Then
He integrated golf's most exclusive event a decade after the Civil Rights Act.
What It Means Now
Elder's milestone is honored each year at the tournament he helped open.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Lee Elder Breaks the Masters Color Barrier.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/lee-elder-breaks-the-masters-color-barrier/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Lee Elder Breaks the Masters Color Barrier. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/lee-elder-breaks-the-masters-color-barrier/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Lee Elder Breaks the Masters Color Barrier.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/lee-elder-breaks-the-masters-color-barrier/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.