‘I’ll be honorary starter at The Masters until I’m 100’
Sign up for our day by day publication
Latest information, evaluations, evaluation and opinion, plus unmissable offers for bunkered subscriptions, occasions, and our industrial companions.
When Gary Player arrives within the lounge of Fancourt Hotel and Golf Estate, in South Africa, he is decked out in signature black from head to toe.
Player, who turned 90 in November, has already been to the fitness center and fronted a three-hole clinic for newbie golfers at the BMW Golf Cup WorldFinal.
But earlier than he stays, the nine-time main champ sits down with bunkered.co.uk to elucidate why that’s essential context for his subsequent mission: to be an honorary starter at The Masters for one more ten years.
“Oh, probably until I’m 100,” Player says, when requested how lengthy he’d prefer to proceed hitting one of many ceremonial tee photographs.
“You know, that is except I am unable to stroll. But I imply, I went to the fitness center immediately. It’s not simple, the day you are performing, to go to the fitness center. But I nonetheless went and labored out.
“I’m 90, but I would beat most people in the world at 50 in a gym. And so, unless I get an illness, which can happen very easily, or have an accident, but all being normal, I should make it 100. Yeah, it’s a possibility.”
• Gary Player names one man he really wants to win The Masters
• Amateur champ sets new Augusta record after miracle shot
After a Hall of Fame profession at Augusta National, following wins in 1961, 1974 and 1978, Player was invited to affix Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer as an honorary starter in 2012.
Two-time champ Tom Watson made it a 3 ball once more in 2022, after Palmer’s passing in 2016, and the trio proceed to defy age yearly, when formally marking the beginning of the primary spherical.
Player insists it is at all times a “massive honor” to return to the enduring venue that, due to Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, hosts the “most beautiful tournament in the world.”
“No young guy will ever understand how good Bobby Jones was,” Player says, digressing for a second. “He performed with a strolling stick as a shaft, an previous rusty head, and a ball that went 100 yards lower than now.
“And no greens. He by no means knew a inexperienced like this is able to exist. Spike marks, raking bunkers along with your ft, and what he went on to do.
“So, I had nice respect for Bobby Jones, and for Clifford Roberts. They constructed a match there that’s the finest run match on the earth. It’s probably the most stunning match on the earth.
“And it is an honor to have received it 3 times. Second 3 times, which is the worst place to complete in a match. Because solely your spouse and your canine keep in mind it. I completed high ten 14 occasions, made probably the most variety of cuts until Tiger beat my file final yr.
“So, going to Augusta is a massive honor.”
• Robert MacIntyre reacts to ‘disappointing’ result on eve of Masters
• Golf legend explains why Donald Trump isn’t welcome at Augusta National
Meanwhile, the South African admits there are two gamers in immediately’s recreation who impress him probably the most: Bryson DeChambeau and Tommy Fleetwood.
He is especially hopeful that the Englishman can slip right into a Green Jacket and be a part of him at the annual Club Dinner.
“Those are the two that, I mean, I just love to watch those two guys play because they’re so courteous and friendly and nice to people,” Player says.
“It’s very possible,” he provides of Fleetwood’s profitable probabilities. “You know, you possibly can by no means say who’s going to win majors. You can take Nicklaus, even Nicklaus, who has the perfect file in golf was second 19 occasions. I used to be second seven.
“So, you could finish, you could, don’t even say you’re going to win him. But Tommy Fleetwood has a great chance, obviously. And I really wish he would.”
