“After all I’ve contributed to the tournament and been an ambassador for them, I can’t go and have a practice round there with my three grandchildren…It’s terribly, terribly sad. And I put great emphasis on the word ‘sad’—that Augusta [doesn’t] make you feel welcome in that regard because I helped make this tournament what it is,” said Gary Player in 2023, as he was surprised by the mistreatment he received at ANGC. A three-time Masters Tournament champion, he has always struggled with course management. And he reiterated it moments before he celebrated his 90th birthday.

Speaking to Adam Schupak from Golfweek, he was asked what legacy he would like to leave behind upon his passing. Player told Schupak, “I hope I’m the head pro at Augusta. But they won’t let me play a single round with my three grandchildren, so they’re not going to let me be the head pro there.” Perplexed by the issue, the reporter asked why that was the case. Player replied, “That’s something you have to ask Augusta, not me.”

For the record, it’s not like Gary Player isn’t an honorary member of Augusta National. The Big Three achieved that honor a long time back. But, as he had explained in his previous interviews, every time he approached them to book a tee time to play with his grandchildren, Augusta National always came up with an excuse to turn him down. Eventually, Player just gave up and realized that he is not welcome on the iconic course, despite being an honorary member.

In fact, his animosity towards the course is such that he doesn’t even rate the prestigious major anymore. When he was asked to rank the four majors, Player replied, “I rate the Open at one, the U.S. Open two, the PGA three, and Augusta four.” His response received plenty of negative reactions, as there is a common belief in the golf community that the Masters Tournament can’t be ranked lower than the second spot.

All the controversies aside, it’s not uncommon for Gary Player to make surprising claims. Even if they go against the common belief of the golf community. In fact, he made another statement recently that may have shocked a few netizens.

Gary Player doesn’t shy away from speaking his mind

It’s not uncommon for Gary Player to make surprising claims or reveal shocking information. Many were surprised when he confirmed that he was in love again at 89 back in late 2024 and revealed his new girlfriend, Susan, to the world. A few weeks later, on Valentine’s Day, he shared a beautiful montage slideshow on Instagram dedicated to his late wife, Vivienne Verwey, as he celebrated their relationship.

Only a few hours ago, another one of Player’s interviews revealed that he said something even more surprising. He stated, “In 1953, when I started it, I was condemned. Arnold Palmer, my brother, said, ‘Gary, you can’t do this weight training.’ Bobby Jones said, ‘Gary, you can’t do all this weight training. You’re going to get muscle-bound. You won’t win tournaments after 35.’ Well, they’re all dead and I’m still going.”

Time and again, he has called out Tiger Woods’s choices and blamed him for not being able to reach above 20 majors.

Even though Gary Player’s statements can be true, his bluntness often takes many by surprise as he continues to live with a free mind like he always did.