Elder, who fought racism throughout his career, in 1975 became the first African-American to compete in the Masters Tournament.
The PGA Tour had decided to honor Elder during the last Masters played in Augusta by inviting him to start the competition.
He was the first African-American to compete in a tournament on the US professional tour in 1961, after the PGA Tour lifted the ban on entry to competitions for non-white people.
Elder won his first tournament, the Open Mansanto in Florida, in 1974, before winning in Houston in 1976, Greater Milwaukee and Westchester Classic in 1978.
“In 1975 (at the Masters), I remember being extremely nervous going to the first tee,” Elder recalled that year.
"It was a wonderful day. Throughout the course, I received rounds of applause. It helped me calm down and focus on my game," he added.
The Dallas, Texas native contested five Masters in total and won the Ryder Cup, the tournament that pits America's top golfers against Europe's top golfers, in 1979.
"Lee Elder was a pioneer, and in many ways," legendary Jack Nicklaus told PGATour.com.
“Lee was a good player, but above all a good man who was well respected by countless people. Golf has lost a hero,” he added.
© 2021 AFP