Gary Player had his moments at the Masters, and you may have heard him mention them. But his most valuable contribution to the Masters might be Tuesday evening. The 87-year old garrulous Gary Player can be counted on to fill awkward silences at the Champions Dinner. This dinner will likely include six LIV golf players as well as many of their critics.
It is not clear what the Most Voluble player will actually say. He is openly vocal on all topics, from distance to despots. Several of them have hired him over time and one still lists Player as an ambassador of the Golf Saudi sportswashing front despite his sometimes harsh words on LIV. The old legend could also speak out on his comments about how unwelcomed he feels at Augusta National, and how he has to beg members to allow him to take a foursome to a club that he doesn’t belong to.
He told the Times of London that despite all the work he did for the tournament and being an ambassador, he couldn’t practice with his three grandchildren there without asking a fellow player to join us. “There’s always an excuse. It’s terrible, terribly tragic.”
He said, in his usual humility, “I helped make it what it is,” Player doesn’t believe the tournament is as good as it could be, despite his contributions. Another salvo was that he ranked Masters 4th among majors. This is a valid position but unlikely to make green jackets more open to his hosting requests.
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Augusta National’s indecisive members won’t be surprised by Player’s grumbling. They are probably tired of being lectured about everything, from their weight to their impeccable bowel movements. Player is a well-known braggart who promotes himself endlessly, making Donald Trump seem downright humble. Player, to borrow Jimmy Breslin’s rapier interpretation of Rudolph Giuliani: He is a small man looking for a balcony.
He is not the only persistent bellyacher on Magnolia Drive this week.
Bryson de Chambeau lamented Tiger Woods’s decision to cut off contact after the pseudoscientist moved to LIV. He also didn’t acknowledge a birthday message. Bubba Watson claimed there is no bad blood between the players, and that any suggestion of this is media mischief. This ignores the fact LIV has been scattering subpoenas at Greg Norman’s weddings. Joaquin Niemann was clearly not cc’d to Bubba’s memo. He stated that LIV guys are motivated by the “hate” directed at them by other players. This comment illustrates how fast the rot sets in after a man orbits Sergio Garcia.
The Player spectacle is not a feast for sniping or griping.
He has always been determined from the earliest days of his youth to write his own funeral obituary. Every breath he spends extolling his virtues is a triumph. This is a characteristic that can be amusing for some, but it surely tests the patience of others.
Player was welcomed at Augusta National as a full-fledged member by Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, but he remains an honorary member. This status is conferred upon all Masters champions in the past. Even though the club hesitated to give full privileges to a three time winner, the events have proven that it was justified.
His shiftless son Wayne, two years ago, sullied an honor to Lee Elder by positioning a sleeve full of golf balls at just head height above the wheelchair-bound honoree. He was involved in an escapade regarding the sale of Masters access a few years before. Wayne is no longer welcome at the club. This is a shame that not even the most passionate advocate for inclusion can cheer.
Many fathers would be ashamed to have their son behave like that. Although this father is known for many things, including his charitable work and many other positive attributes, he doesn’t feel shame. Player’s life story and his career record both show that he is not easily discouraged, but his words are a sign of someone who is not afraid to be embarrassed. What else can you explain the combination of narcissism, petulance and a belief that Augusta National is “just another Georgia golf course” without players like him?
Player could be wallowing in tears by the time he sits down with Nicklaus, Tom Watson, and speaks about the club, its members, and the honor of being involved. He might even double down. There are many risks involved in the Masters honoring past champions. This is not a risk that can be taken lightly at a Tuesday dinner. Officials must be wondering how long this tournament will continue to showcase a man who seems unable or unwilling to deal with his grievances.
There is an obvious solution if Player is honest–and there’s no reason for us to believe he isn’t–and doesn’t feel welcomed at Augusta National. For many years, Lee Trevino felt the same. He stays at home and did this sometimes even during his competitive peak. Player doesn’t have a microphone or an audience, so it’s possible that the old wounded lion will find this even more difficult.
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