Gary Player stands as one of golf’s all-time greats, with a legacy that’s hard to overlook.
And since stepping away from competitive play, Player has become even more fascinating in interviews and public appearances.
The South African legend never holds back, sharing his thoughts plainly no matter who or what he’s talking about.
Player recently ranked himself third on his list of the best golfers ever, trailing only Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
It’s not an easy claim to back up completely, but with 159 professional wins around the world and nine major titles, he has plenty of substance to his case.
Even so, there have been times when some of his comments have stirred up plenty of debate in the golfing world.
Gary Player’s comments ahead of the 2007 Open
Gary Player has always been someone who speaks his mind, and that’s a big part of what makes him so engaging to listen to.
Fans appreciate honesty, and he rarely holds back when sharing his views. It’s one of the reasons he’s remained relevant long after his playing days.
Still, there have been times when even his most loyal supporters have raised an eyebrow at something he said, and 2007 was one of those moments.
The South African claimed: “Whether it’s HGH, whether it’s Creatine or whether it’s steroids, I know for a fact that some golfers are doing it.”
And when pressed on how he knew this, Player simply said: “Because one guy told me.”
Retief Goosen didn’t hold back on Player’s comments
Retief Goosen was among the top players in golf in 2007 and wasn’t pleased with what Player had said.
“I’m actually very shocked at his comments, really, to be honest,” Goosen said.
“I don’t know if he was trying to damage the sport, damage golf. I don’t know what he was trying to do.”
Goosen wasn’t alone in thinking that if Player was going to make such a serious accusation, he should have named names. Without specifics, everyone ended up under suspicion.
This wasn’t unusual for Gary Player. He’s always been direct and unfiltered with his opinions.
But looking back at The Open in 2007, it’s fair to say that his remarks went beyond what many thought was acceptable.
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