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Gary Player at the Masters: Fade away, Black Knight

Thursday April 10, 2008 | 09:35:44 174 words, 3851 views
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One of the semi-cool things about the Masters is the way it lets in the old-timers, past champions well past their primes who don’t stand a chance in hell of contending.

It’s a link to the past, a historical showcase that’s fun to watch. Most of the time.

Still, I think Gary Player shouldn’t be playing this year, his 51st. He’s obviously in it solely to break Arnold Palmer’s record.

“We both had that record and I think that’s really the motive in the back of my mind,” Player told the media this week.

Players has always been fiercely competitive, but it would have been much more gracious to bow out last year, and go into retirement sharing the record with Palmer, who is much more beloved around these parts.

As it is, he’s making a mockery of the record. He can’t even reach some of the par-4s in two, much less the par-5s.

Records are meant to be broken legitimately, not selfishly.

And that’s what Player is being – selfish and egotistical.


Comments:

Comment from: Brandon Tucker [Member] Email · http://www.worldgolf.com/blogs/brandon.tucker
Michelle Wie has a better chance qualifying. They should let her play. Or Lorena Ochoa.
Permalink 04/10/08 @ 10:46
Comment from: Ken [Visitor] Email
Any just how competitive was Arnold Palmer during his later years?

The former champs earned the right to play as long as they want. As long as they don't enter and withdraw after a few holes, the way Doug Ford did, what's the harm?

Yeah, Player has zero chance of winning. He's not the only player in the field about which that can be said. And his second round last year, a 77 in terrible conditions, was better than half of the players in the field.

Enjoy the old guys. Every once in a while, you'll still get a glace of what made them great.
Permalink 04/10/08 @ 12:48
Comment from: Ross [Visitor] Email
Ah, the good old days of golf. Player, Palmer, and Nicklaus when TV first started covering golf. They were awesome and made the game what it is today as far as popularity. Leave him alone and let him play. He deserves it. Afterall, he can still shoot his age and he is a good example for health and fitness
Permalink 04/10/08 @ 13:28
Comment from: Ken [Visitor] Email
I have no problem with Wie or Ochoa playing at the Masters. If they qualify. Wie could have qualfied if she won the U.S. Public Links championship; she tried but didn't win. Ochoa has never tried. If they don't qualify, they shouldn't be invited.

Giving gift invites to players like Sorenstam or Wie would be a real joke. You need to earn the right to play like anyone else.

Player qualifed to play The 2008 Masters by winning three times.
Permalink 04/10/08 @ 15:02
Comment from: Chris Baldwin [Member] Email
Turning against your own, McDonald ... Sad, sad, sad.

Don't they have talks on the danger of Old on Old crime at the 3:30 p.m. buffet.

Permalink 04/10/08 @ 22:11
Comment from: Greg Pryor [Visitor] Email · http://www.sportsaholic.org
McDonald--it that the best that you can offer? How many cuts did Arnie make in his last 10 Masters appearances?
Permalink 04/11/08 @ 12:32
Comment from: Greg Pryor [Visitor] Email · http://www.sportsaholic.org
McDonald--it that the best that you can offer? How many cuts did Arnie make in his last 10 Masters appearances?
Permalink 04/11/08 @ 12:33
Comment from: Tim McDonald [Member] Email
I don't have any problem with the ceremonial aspect of it - in fact, I enjoy it.

But, Player is doing it solely to break a record, which cheapens the record in my opinion.

Permalink 04/11/08 @ 13:54
Comment from: Ross [Visitor] Email
Cheapens the record?. Then why didn't you write this column when Palmer broke the record? His swing is lamer than Players, and Player is in a lot better fitness. Could it be, he just isn't American enough for your taste?
Permalink 04/11/08 @ 18:31
Comment from: Alex [Visitor] Email
You neglected to mention a central reason that led Player to return to Augusta- to provide an example of the benefits of proper nutrition and exercise. As he says, obesity/diabetes is now an epidemic, and promoting wellness is a cause he is passionate about.
Permalink 04/11/08 @ 21:49
Comment from: Andrew [Visitor] Email
Well said, Tim ... it's a joke allowing these guys to play on forever.
If Player justifies his "competing" to promote a noble cause, well then they might as well invite Al Gore next year.
Permalink 04/13/08 @ 00:02
Comment from: Ken [Visitor] Email
Player won the right to keep playing. What exactly is it hurting? He enjoys it. Most fans enjoy it. Other golfers probably enjoy playing with him for his knowledge. And, he's not taking a place in the field from anyone else. It's not like some young player would get a chance if Gary bowed out.

I admire his determination. The think lacking in his game is distance. He said that he's going to come back next year much stronger. Can he do it? At 73, not likely. But if anyone can figure out how to hit it further at 73, it's Gary Player.

And while playing with Nicklaus could be trying for some players because of how slow Jack always played, that isn't a problem with Gary. He's fast. He's not getting in anyone's way.
Permalink 04/13/08 @ 11:53
Comment from: Ken [Visitor] Email
By the way, no disrespect intended, but Arnold missed the cut in his last 21 Masters. His last cut made was in 1983.

"Staying around to break the record." How else does one break a record for longevity?
Permalink 04/13/08 @ 11:55

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