Golf legend Gary Player, a three-time Masters champion, publicly criticized Augusta National for denying his request to play a round with his grandsons. The 90-year-old Hall of Famer expressed sadness over the club's decision, attributing it to current management. Player highlighted his long ambassadorship for the club and claimed he, along with Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, helped build its prominence.
Gary Player, aged 90 and a World Golf Hall of Famer, has voiced rare criticism against Augusta National Golf Club, the host of the Masters Tournament. In an interview with Golf Monthly this week, Player lamented the club's rejection of his request to play a round with his three grandsons at the historic course.
Player won the Masters three times, in 1961, 1974, and 1978, securing nine major titles overall. He formed part of the renowned 'Big Three' alongside Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, all of whom left significant marks at Augusta. Since 2012, Player has served as an honorary starter at the Masters, a role he continues, having competed in more editions of the tournament than any other player.
Despite his past champion status granting him playing privileges, Player is not a member of Augusta National, prohibiting him from bringing guests. 'I have been an ambassador for Augusta for all these years, yet they won’t let me have one round of golf in my life with my three grandsons,' Player said. 'My grandsons are dying to know about their grandfather’s episodes on that golf course.'
He contrasted Augusta's stance with other major championship venues, stating, 'All the golf courses that have hosted the Open [Championship], the U.S. Open and the PGA [Championship] would oblige, but they won’t do it at Augusta.' Player blamed the refusal on 'this current management there,' adding, 'I accept it, but I accept it with sadness.'
Player praised the club's co-founders Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, as well as former member President Dwight D. Eisenhower, for establishing Augusta. He asserted that he, Palmer, and Nicklaus elevated it further: '[Jones, Roberts and Eisenhower], they basically made Augusta. Then Arnold [Palmer], Jack [Nicklaus] and I came along and we fought it out every year, and then we made Augusta thanks to the coverage and publicity we generated around the Masters, whether the club likes to admit it or not. They won’t admit it, but we made Augusta.'
This marks not the first instance of Player's frustration. In 2023, he described himself as 'disillusioned' about the challenges of playing with guests, noting, 'A lot of people assume that I have those privileges, but they’re wrong. If I want to play a practice round with friends, I can’t just call the pro shop and make those arrangements.' He added that arranging a member to host was 'not easy.' That year, Player ranked the Masters last among the men's majors, placing the Open Championship first, followed by the U.S. Open and PGA Championship.
Additional controversies include his son Wayne's lifetime ban from Augusta National in 2021 for an unauthorized golf ball advertisement during a ceremony honoring Lee Elder. In 2022, Player sued his son Marc and grandson Damian for selling unauthorized memorabilia, including his 1974 Masters trophy and shoes from his 52nd Masters appearance.