Golf legend Gary Player has quite the history at Augusta National. Over his lengthy career, Player won the Masters three times — the first of which proved to be a historic win. He's spent plenty of time teeing off at Augusta, playing in the Masters a record 52 times.
But when Player wanted to get in one more round on the course, he was denied. Player, 90, said Augusta National denied his request to play fourball with his grandsons on the Masters' course. Player said he accepted the decision, butwas sad about it, per Golf Monthly.
"All the golf courses that have hosted the Open, the US Open and the PGA would oblige, but they won't do it at Augusta.
"It is just this current management there, but these are the times we live in and I accept it, but I accept it with sadness."
Player said he was hoping to tell his grandsons more about his playing days on the course. Player turned in a handful of excellent performances at Augusta National. He first won the Masters in 1961, becoming the first international player to win the event. Player was born in South Africa. He then won the Masters again in 1974 and 1978. In addition to those wins, he has 12 other top-10 finishes at the event. In 1998, Player became the oldest golfer to make the cut at the Masters. He was 62 at the time.
Player's success in golf wasn't just limited to the Masters. He won the PGA Championship twice, the U.S. Open once and The Open Championship three times. Those accomplishments made him — along with Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus — "The Big Three" of golf. In 2011, Augusta invited Player to join Palmer and Nicklaus as honorary starters at the Masters. Player has continued to serve in that role and was an honorary starter at the 2025 Masters.
Augusta National, however, has strict rules on who can play at the course outside of the Masters. In order to play a round at Augusta, you need to be a member at the club. Player is not a member, and it's fairly rare for tour golfers to join Augusta.
Palmer was a member and Nicklaus is a member, however, so there's precedent for legendary players to get an invite to join the club. That's the only way to become a member at Augusta. You need to beinvited or recommended by a current member.
Unless that happens, Player seems unlikely to have his request granted. While it was assumed Player would serve as an honorary starter at the 2026 Masters in April, that could be up in the air depending on whether there's any animosity between Player and Augusta following the decision.
