During the first-round broadcast of the DP World Tour’s Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa, the country’s own Gary Player stopped by to take in the action and joined the broadcast.
The three-time Masters champion said he loved that Augusta National extended a membership offer to arguably the greatest women’s player of all time, Annika Sorenstam (a story first reported by Golfweek‘s Adam Schupak).
“To see Annika Sorenstam made a member of Augusta, they never allowed women, and now to see a woman be a member, I think it’s fantastic,” Player said. “She’s the best lady golfer in the world, or was, wonderful to see, isn’t it?”
Sorenstam isn’t the first woman to earn a green jacket, as she joined Condoleezza Rice, Darla Moore and others.
However, when the Augusta National Women’s Amateur was mentioned as another great thing Augusta National does for the women’s game, Player quickly retorted, “I don’t agree with you on that.”
Watch the full clip below:
Come on Gary
@NoLayingUp #NGC2023 pic.twitter.com/x5BAbbV9kY
— Matt Hillier (@wingazz) November 9, 2023
Player has been at odds with the famed golf club in Georgia in recent years and had said he doesn’t feel welcome when he’s back on the grounds.