Wayne Player, son of golf legend Gary Player, has opened up on his lifetime ban from Augusta National after an attempt at guerrilla marketing at the 2021 Masters.
During last year’s honorary starters ceremony, in which Lee Elder – the first African-American man to compete in the major – was being recognised, Wayne, who was serving as his father’s caddie, stood behind Elder displaying a box of OnCore golf balls.
Despite Player’s bar from the premises being well known, Augusta National has never publicly confirmed it.
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This week, Wayne Player spoke with Golf Digest to explain his side of the Masters controversy.
“Well, they say there’s no such thing as bad publicity,” he said.
“I found out that that’s not quite true.
“I had probably 50 texts after that, 40 of them said I’m a marketing genius, 10 were like, ‘What the hell were you thinking?’
“It wasn’t premeditated, but it was a tacky thing.”
Despite his frustrating actions, Player said he was forgiven by Lee before he died at 87 last year.
“I’ve got Lee’s cellphone number. I called and I said, ‘You know, Lee, I love you guys.’
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“You know, everyone said I was disrespectful for a special moment in time for Elder. I said I was sorry, and I didn’t mean to take up his special time. And he said, ‘Wayne, you know how much I love you. Right?’ It didn’t cross his mind. That’s important for people to know.”
Player also weighed in his father’s similar behaviour at this year’s competition, where the three-time champion was condemned for wearing a “Golf Saudi” logo to promote the breakaway Saudi-backed golf league.
“We can judge, you know, the Arab nation for traditions that they have. I mean, where women are not allowed to walk around like we know women can walk around, they’ve gotta have a cloak over their head. I mean, I don’t know, it’s not for me to criticise them, you know?” Wayne Player said.
“I mean, look, they’re very tough on law and order, you know, and they do all the stuff that would be considered barbaric there, right. That’s what (Phil Mickelson) basically said.
“I just know that my dad was excited about, you know, being part of growing the game of golf in Saudi Arabia.
“I mean he loves golf course design. He’s always enjoyed that. He’s designed over 170 golf clubs and he’s a statesman.
“He’s always trying to help everybody, so nobody should be criticising Gary Player ever.”
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