Golf icon Gary Player left Masters viewers stunned on Wednesday after making a ‘creepy’ comment to a female TV presenter.
Sky Sports’ Anna Jackson was working at Augusta National’s annual Par 3 event on the eve of golf’s most iconic tournament when she tried to grab a quick word with 90-year-old Player.
The South African, a nine-time major winner and considered by many to be one of the greatest golfers of all time, left viewers stunned with his initial response to Jackson.
Before she even had a chance to ask her first question, Player appeared to ask her colleagues behind the camera: ‘Why have you started working with this good looking chick, huh?’
Clearly flustered by the awkward interaction, Jackson quickly responded: ‘What an introduction that is.’
The moment quickly went viral and golf fans took to social media to hit out at Player’s inappropriate behaviour.
One commented: ‘We sat there shaking our heads. The old creep.’
Another posted: ‘He is an old creep and he’s pandered to within golf.’
‘Did anyone else hear Gary Player refer to Anna Jackson as a ‘good looking chick’ live on Sky Sports last night? The worrying thing is, many people will think that type of behaviour is absolutely fine,’ a third outraged viewer added.
A fourth stated: ‘You could tell from her reaction she wasn’t impressed yet she remained professional when Gary then went on to tell everyone how great he is yet again.’
‘That guy always makes my skin crawl,’ another said. ‘Says a lot about Anna’s professionalism that I didn’t even pick up on it.’
‘Sky gotta stop interviewing Gary Player man,’ another demanded.
‘I was disappointed to hear the comment. Anna was totally professional. Not sure how much GP is aware of current norms but I’m sure he should be. I hesitate to suggest it may be entitlement and putting it down to a man from a different era, not that it excuses it,’ one viewer added.
Other golf fans were defensive of Player, with one posting: ‘He is from a totally different generation, the man is 90 years old. So the channel probably knows what they might get in terms of output.’
Another added: ‘He’s 90 years old. Comes from a different era in a country with far bigger issues than upsetting a few bedwetters by calling a good looking girl, a good looking girl. Of course, you’ve never, not once, said a girl (or boy) was good looking I bet.’
Despite the incident, Player will once again take part in the ceremonial opening tee shot at the Masters event on Thursday.
He has been one of the honorary starters since 2012, teeing off alongside fellow golf icons Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson to officially open the tournament.
Player became the first ever non-American to win a green jacket back in 1961, before adding another two to his collection in 1974 and 1978.
He has also competed in The Masters more times than any golfer in history after making 52 starts between 1957 and 2009.
However, while he is undoubtedly a great of the course, Player’s relationship with Augusta has become a little more complicated in recent years.
His son, Wayne, is actually banned for life from The Masters over a tacky ambush marketing stunt while a tribute was being paid to Lee Elder at the 2021 honorary starters ceremony.
Acting as a caddie, Wayne was on the first tee for the ceremony with his father, Nicklaus and Elder – the first African-American to play in the Masters. During a speech from chairman Fred Ridley in tribute to Elder, Wayne, who was stood behind him, held up a packet of golf balls with its brand on show.
Elder’s poor health meant he was unable to play a tee shot, as is tradition in the ceremony, alongside Player and Nicklaus. He died six months later, in November 2021.
Wayne later wrote a letter to Augusta National to apologize for the gesture, but it fell on deaf ears and he received the lifetime ban.
‘It said thanks but no thanks,’ he said of Augusta’s reply. ‘It said, you know, we appreciate you reaching out and apologizing, we accept your apology, but we are not changing our position, we are not going to allow you back. You ruined a special moment in the history of the game of golf.’
