THOUGHTS OF A MASTER: The Gary Player diary

Gary Player, with 24 PGA Tour victories and nine major championships to his name, became the first non-American to win the Masters in 1961. The legendary Player, who added further Masters titles in 1974 and 1978, will be taking in the sights and sounds of Augusta National as the action progresses.

The Hall of Famer will keep you updated with happenings at the 86th Masters right here on this diary.

Monday, April 11 – Beaming Scottie and the ‘missing’ green jacket

An exciting final day at Augusta seems to be the normal procedure every year throughout time. Despite a large surge from Rory Mcllroy, Scottie Scheffler held his nerve to win his first green jacket.

Prior to the tournament, we were given two picks who we felt could win the tournament and I went for Cameron Smith and Dustin Johnson. In terms of the former he has a way better swing than Scheffler and is a phenomenal putter. Picking a winner though is like playing the lottery. Scheffler richly deserves his maiden Masters victory because he is the best golfer in the world at the moment.

He has a very unusual swing and comes off the ball quite a bit when he is trying to hit a draw for example. Based on his consistency, I thought he would be hard to beat heading into the final round.

The sports psychologists who travel with the players all the time say to them, “You’ve got to relax – golf is only a game.” But for me it’s not because it’s your life. You spend your whole life practicing and preparing, and at a tournament you’re not relaxed. You get irritable and the more irritable you become, the better you play because that means that you’re more focused. In the final round of the 1978 Masters, I shot my lowest score across my three triumphs and ended up winning by one stroke.

In terms of my worst score at the Masters, it would be around 78 at the latter part of my career but not when I was a young man. Tiger Woods also hit a final-round 78 for 13-over which he described as “awful”. But we were all excited to see him come back because in his prime there is no question that he is twice as good as anybody else playing today. When you haven’t played for 14 months and come into a tournament for the first time you are rusty. To be brutally honest I didn’t think he would make the cut. I was wrong about him but right about Jordan Spieth who I predicted would miss out.

With a metal plate in his leg and barely being able to walk, I think just making the cut was a tremendous effort. Some may say Tiger pushed himself too soon but what we have to understand is that he grew up with a father who was a military man. While it has honed Tiger’s mental toughness, I feel he made a mistake by training with the Navy SEALs. In my opinion, the jumping on the ground is what ruined his knees and back. He has since undergone five back operations and as many knee surgeries. The only injuries I had were damaged cartilage from rugby which required an operation, I cracked a bone when arm-wrestling and had a fractured neck from school days. I had no real golf-related injuries as I built up my core by doing thousands and thousands of sit-ups and lifting weights.

MONEY WAS NEVER MY MOTIVATION

In terms of prize money, the overall purse for this year’s Masters was a whopping $15 million – a jump of $3.5 million. Rewind 44 years ago to 1978 and the winner’s share was $45 000 but I didn’t even claim that amount because I gave it to my caddie. ‘Rabbit’ said to me, “Hey Gary man, I need a roof on my house. I’ve got children and I ain’t got no roof.” So I said to him, “We are going to get you a roof, my man.” When I holed the putt to come back in 30 in 64, ‘Rabbit’ jumped six foot in the air!

It’s wonderful that prize money has increased and the game has really moved on in that regard. Our latest Masters champion, Scheffler, just took home $2.7-million but we didn’t play for money. If I came to the last hole at the Masters and some guy whispered in my ear, “I’ll give you $100 million – make a seven and don’t win” there was no amount of money in the world I would have done that because we spent our lives practicing trying to the best ever and money wasn’t going to satisfy that.

In terms of post-Masters winning traditions, it’s always special when you are presented with the green jacket by the previous winner. I took the jacket back home with me even though you were not supposed to in those days. I got a phone call from the chairman who said, “Did you take the jacket back home?” And when I said “yes”, he replied in a bellowing voice, “You’re not allowed to take it off the grounds.” With tongue in cheek I retorted, “Well, why don’t you come fetch it?” Now you go on TV and to dinner with it on and for a year you’re basically allowed to wear the jacket where you like.

Sunday, April 10 – In the zone and remembering ‘Rabbit’

After moving day yesterday, the cream will rise to the top during the final round as we crown the next Masters champion. American Scottie Scheffler, who has played amazingly, is three strokes ahead of his nearest rival Cameron Smith and is nine under par as the tournament reaches its climax.

Everybody talks about long-hitting all the time and that’s all I hear. It’s an asset but not a necessity. I keep trying to tell people that it’s the mind that wins golf tournaments. It’s a little thing called it and I’ve only seen plus-minus 20 players in my life who have got it. Can I define what it is? No, it’s indefinable. But what isn’t hard to explain is that you’ve got to have a special mind coupled with being a great putter in order to excel at tournaments. Very few people get that to the extent they should and I have always championed the point of view that most of this game is played in the mind.

Many golfers talk about being in the zone. That’s one of the reasons why I won 165 tournaments because I had laser beam focus when I was out on the course. I didn’t even know if my wife or children were there and often played a round without knowing what I scored. I will never forget playing at Royal Durban once and as I walked off the course Harold Henning said, “Gary, what did you score?” And I replied, “Harold, I don’t know.” He retorted, “That’s impossible!” People didn’t believe me when I told them I didn’t remember what I scored but that speaks to how focused I was.

Of my three Masters victories, I would say the maiden one was the most satisfying. It still fills me with pride to have become the first international player to win at Augusta National. Since then there have been 16 non-American golfers that have won it. Once I won the Masters for the first time, internationals players said to themselves, “Well, if Gary Player can win there, I can win there too.”

In 1978, I won the Masters being seven behind and came back in 30. And when Nick Faldo won the green jacket in 1996, he was six behind Greg Norman before hauling him in. So when it comes to this tournament, I would say that as long as you are within seven shots of one round to go you can win.

Not only did I win but I was second three times but unfortunately only your wife and your dog remembers your second places. Over and above my three victories at Augusta, I’m proud of the fact that I finished in the top 10 14 times and made the most number of cuts which was a divine blessing.

CADDIES – MORE THAN JUST BAGMEN

No man’s success is in isolation and the relationship between a golfer and his caddie is an interesting one. In terms of the most well-known recent caddie, Tiger Woods had New Zealander Steve Williams who was brilliant. I don’t know if there has ever been a caddie as good as him. Williams was Woods’ bagman for three of his five Masters victories and they forged a solid bond until they parted in 2011.

I had an African American caddie by the name of Alfred ‘Rabbit’ Dyer who caddied for me for over 20 years. He was my dear friend, and the two things he was most helpful to me with was that he was always on time and jovial. In contrast, I was very uptight when I played and he served as a calming influence. I used to call him my Muhammad Ali because he had the punchiest one liners and quickest wit. All the golf superstars have been very uptight people and the same goes for a lot of top businessmen when they are in an office doing a deal. At big tournaments you can’t ever be too relaxed because you usually only win by one shot but ‘Rabbit’ always knew how to lighten the mood.

‘Rabbit’ went all round the world with me and even came to South Africa in the midst of Apartheid. He was the first black man to ever caddie in the British Open – the world’s oldest tournament. Looking back, it’s remarkable that a white South African had him caddieing when you think about it.

My grandson and granddaughter, who caddied for me at the Par-3 Contest, came in to Augusta for two days. They have become my new caddies which is a treat. I have 22 grandchildren and it’s a united nations with a wonderful assortment of American, Italian and South African. As a family, we are plus-minus forty people but we don’t have as many here because they won’t give you that many tickets. Augusta is very tough with giving out tickets and it’s the most difficult ticket to get in sport.

Saturday, April 9 – Surging Schwartzel and breaking the pain barrier

Yesterday’s second round at Augusta National, with the pumping wind replacing the rain, was eventful from a South African perspective. Charl Schwartzel, who shot 69 to sit at 3-under, is now leading South Africa’s charge, while Louis Oosthuizen withdrew from the event due to a neck injury.

I’m so proud of Charl in what was a great effort to get to three under par. He’s really in contention now and the fact that he knows how to win here is very exciting for us South Africans. It’s certainly looking promising for Charl who is five shots adrift of halfway leader and world No 1 Scottie Scheffler. If comparing the Masters to a 100 yard dash, after 50 yards Charl is doing extremely well and psychologically he’s got to be in a good frame of mind having won here before. Nobody was expecting him to play as well because he certainly has not been performing very well for a long time.

As such, he would have been relatively relaxed heading into the tournament 11 years after his triumph. He would have said to himself, “Nobody is expecting me to do well and I’ll really give it a go.” In missing a large number of cuts ahead of the Masters, there is something which has been bugging him but I don’t what it is. However, what I do know is that this man has really got the talent.

When it comes to Louis, I just hope nothing has happened to him that is going to be too serious. The top-ranked South African player is the greatest gentlemen I have ever seen in golf but it’s absolutely amazing that he has never won a tournament in America. Louis has probably got as good a golf swing as any man in the world. If Jordan Spieth had as good a swing as Oosthuizen, he would be the No 1 player in the world because he is the best short game player on the planet. The former has five faults in his swing and if he can iron those out, he would be No 1. Spieth was one of the highest profile players to miss the halfway cut and I was also sorry to see Garrick Higgo miss out.

Having met him for the first time when he was nine years old – around the same time as his father passed away in a car accident – I have always been pulling for him. He’s such a wonderful young man and we can expect him to come back. Ahead of the Masters, I sent him a hand-written letter in which I said, “Take what you have learned, reach greater heights and remember it’s the short game that wins tournaments. Long-driving is an asset but it doesn’t win events.” In terms of the letter-writing tradition, which I introduced to encourage young players, it was not something which was done during my playing days. But my father Harry always said to me, “If you can take the time to do a hand-written letter it will mean that you were sincere.” So I have practiced that to a large degree.

ICE BATHS AS ACTION HEATS UP

As we reach the business end of the tournament, recovery between rounds is paramount. In terms of recovery along with strength and conditioning, it has advanced in the modern game but there is still no substitute for cold water recuperation. Tiger Woods regularly makes use of ice baths. I started doing ice treatment 65 years ago when I read about it in Japan and how it helps to reduce inflammation and stimulate blood flow. In terms of Tiger, he has built up his body to the point where it’s really strong again. I’m such a massive Tiger fan because he has endured sleep deprivation, has had to live on pain-killing pills and yet is still competing at the highest level. As far as I understand, Tiger’s early morning routine was born out of his struggles to sleep amid the pain from his accidents.

Ben Hogan, who like Tiger had one of the worst car accidents ever in 1949 in which he crushed his pelvis, came back and won major championships so let’s see if Tiger can do the same. When weighing Tiger up alongside Hogan, who was the greatest golfer I ever saw, the former doesn’t hit the ball anywhere like the latter did but he is a better putter. However, in all fairness Woods has putted on much better greens. When the likes of Hogan played, and Palmer and I were in our prime we never played on a green like this in our lives. The current greens are like snooker tables and if, at the age of 86, I now miss one fairway it’s bad. The game of golf today is so much easier than it ever was before and that’s why I believe that you can’t compare the players of today against yesteryear.

Friday, April 8 – Nearly two holes-in-one and Tiger’s having fun

Being at the Masters is something which you can never really explain to people 9 000 miles away. But the words that come to mind for me are appreciation, gratitude and love. Walking through the hallowed grounds of Augusta National evoke personal memories of coming from a poor family, struggling as a young kid and still managing to win golf’s most prestigious tournament three times.

Yesterday morning I went to the practice tee before first light and my grandson, who was caddieing for me, couldn’t believe it as he saw the crowds coming in when it was still dark. Thousands and thousands of people were walking – you’re not allowed to run at Augusta – but they were dying to run to get to the first tee. As myself, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson walked onto the first tee, people of all colours were cheering and hundreds of TV cameras were out there. It was something very special. After playing so well in the Par-3 Contest, where I nearly hit two holes-in-one, I was getting messages from all over the world. The sad moment of it for me was seeing a chair with the late Arnold Palmer’s jacket hanging over it on the first tee. Needless to say it was hard for Jack and I, who had a few tears, but it was special to welcome Tom to the honourary starters club. He was very humble in his appreciation of joining myself and Jack which he so aptly deserves. Poor Jack is struggling with his health and couldn’t hit the ball too well yesterday but Tom and I hit two beauties.

Another Augusta tradition is the Champions Dinner which began in 1952. It was special having all those champions in one room. It’s a very exclusive dinner and not even last year’s winner Hideki Matsuyama’s interpreter was allowed into the room. I tried to make Hideki feel at home by giving my welcome speech in Japanese. I have studied the language and visited the country over 30 times. I was then shocked because Hideki responded in English without any notes but you could see he was very nervous prior to delivering it. I didn’t think he could speak English but must have memorised it.

Hideki gave the most wonderful speech which was really touching. He spoke of being very thankful and proud to become the first Asian player to win the Masters. As he finished, everybody stood up in complete ovation of him. In terms of the menu, which is themed according to the past winner’s country of origin, Hideki’s was the best I’ve ever had. In terms of the worst, it was Sandy Lyle’s dinner in 1988. We ate haggis and everyone was going onto the balcony afterwards and puking it up!

HIGGO LEADS THE SOUTH AFRICAN SURGE

There are five South Africans in the field this year and I think Garrick Higgo, with even-par, is actually our best bet. He started off his career extremely well but last year he faded terribly. He wasn’t making the cut and went downhill. When I saw him in Plettenberg Bay I said to him, “Don’t let people tell you you’ve had a great year – you haven’t. You had a great start but if you only produced a good quarter in business you wouldn’t be well-received by your shareholders.” I think that chat got his mind right. He shot 72 in the first round so he’s right in there. We have always had good representatives at the Masters from a South African perspective but we’ve got to have players that win it like Trevor Immelman and Charl Schwartzel. It was wonderful to see those guys win but they’re not playing so well anymore. It’s hard to believe our last triumph was already 11 years ago.

Another man on the comeback trail is Tiger Woods. The 86th Masters has been engulfed by Tiger-mania. We are talking about a man who was on the verge of becoming the greatest athlete the world had ever seen and could have already won 20 majors if it wasn’t for his problems. He’s such a prolific golfer and wonderful character. People are so excited about him being back at the Masters.

At the Champions Dinner I said to him, “Tiger, we’ve missed you, are so happy you’re back and know the determination you have.” He is up at 4 AM exercising which speaks to his drive and will to be the best. I was very confident that he would come back after 14 months out of the game and play well.

The five-time winner shot a one-under-par 71. To offer an analogy, a horse race is never won out of the gate and it’s how you finish but Tiger has had a nice start which is getting everyone very excited.