Nine-time major winner Gary Player shocked the golf world last week when he qualified teachers last of four major golf tournaments, despite his own success at Augusta National.
Not long after, Player added to his comments, shedding some light on his ranking and including an issue that no one would expect to appear 24 times. PGA tour winner to have on any golf course.
Gary Player waves to the crowd before the PNC Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club on December 16, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. (Mike Ehrman/Getty Images)
«After all I’ve contributed to the tournament and been an ambassador for them, I can’t go practice there with my three grandchildren without begging a member to play with us, and there’s always some excuse. It’s terrible, terribly sad,» Player told The UK Times on Thursday.
GARY PLAYER RANKS THE MASTERS IN LAST PLACE AMONG THE TOP FOUR GOLF TOURNAMENTS
«I played my part: I’ve won it three times. I’ve been in the top ten 15 times. I’ve made the most straight cuts ever, but here we are fighting to get a round.»
Player, that’s just one of eight golfers to win the Masters three times or more, he apparently can’t get a tee time.
«That is [one of the reasons] why I rate the Open No 1. If it wasn’t for the players, [Augusta] It would just be another golf course in Georgia.»
Will Zalatoris walks over the Hogan Bridge during the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2021. (Photo by Augusta Nacional via Getty Images)
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The player’s criticism followed comments he made to the Daily Mail, where he said The opening it was his favorite specialty, while Masters was his least. He won both majors three times, his last victory coming in 1978.
«But never mind the Masters, the Open is by far the best tournament on the planet,» Player said. «I rate the Open in one, the US Open two, PGA three and Augusta four. Four wonderful tournaments.»
But Player chalked it up to time, explaining that the Masters was the youngest of the four tournaments.
Gary Player laughs as he hits the 10th hole during the 2022 PNC Championship at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando. (Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
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«He’s the youngest of the majors,» he said. «The others are steeped in tradition and history, and have yet to catch up. Nothing reaches the top without time.»
But Player seemed to take a different tone in his comments to The Times.
«It’s sad, and I put a lot of emphasis on the word ‘sad’, that Augusta doesn’t make you feel welcome in that way, because I helped make this tournament what it is.»
Player, who is an honorary member at Augusta National due to his past victories there, will serve as an honorary starter when the tournament begins Thursday.