Golf fans stunned after Gary Player's comments about Augusta live on air

Speaking live on Sky Sports Golf, Gary Player left viewers in shock with his comments about the Augusta National Women's Amateur. 

Commentating during the first round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge held at his own Gary Player Golf Course, the 88-year-old South African stunned spectators when he disagreed with his co-commentator, Alison Whitaker, about the positive approach Augusta National has taken by opening its doors to amateur female golfers.

As nine-time major champion Player watched Justin Thomas tee up his ball on the 12th hole, he was discussing Annika Sorenstam's recent membership approval at Augusta National and how she is fully deserving of her entry. 

Player said:

Despite his positive comments, though, the conversation took a hard left turn when Whitaker mentioned the Augusta National Women's Amateur and how it's great to see everything Augusta National is doing with the tournament. 

While she was likely expecting Player to agree with the sentiment, he instead gave a sharp and short response that many online critics are claiming was 'hard to hear.' 

The comments have caused quite a stir online after the video of Player's response was reposted by No Laying Up's X account.

Posting about Player's opinion, No Laying Up tweeted: "Of course Gary Player is the only person on the planet that's not a fan of the Augusta National Women's Amateur."

Check out Player's comments below

Of course Gary Player is the only person on the planet that's not a fan of the Augusta National Women's Amateur https://t.co/ZcgdttAtE2

— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) November 9, 2023

The video cuts off before Player can elaborate on his answer, but the simple "I don't agree with you on that" is a disappointing response from one of the game's most iconic characters.

In an age when inclusivity is at the forefront of what many in the game of golf are trying to achieve, outdated comments like Player's don't do anything to help the reputation of a sport that has been tarred with accusations of misogyny and exclusivity since its inception. 

Taking place one week before the Masters, the Augusta National Women's Amateur was first held in 2019, and considered by many as a big step forward for Augusta National, a course notorious for its exclusivity.  

Augusta National was a men-only club until 2012 when it accepted its first female members, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and a businesswoman from South Carolina.

Since then, other notable female members have been accepted into the club, including, Heidi Ueberroth, co-chairman of Pebble Beach Co., former USGA president Diana Murphy, former IBM CEO Ginni Rometty and now golfing legend Annika Sorenstam. 

Max Homa moved into a four-way tie for the lead in the first-round lead at the Nedbank Golf Challenge.

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