Angry Gary Player makes a strong complaint about one thing that ‘selfish’ modern-day golfers do

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May 8, 2026 - 16:53
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Angry Gary Player makes a strong complaint about one thing that ‘selfish’ modern-day golfers do
Photo by Benjamin Gilbert/Augusta National/Getty Images
Photo by Benjamin Gilbert/Augusta National/Getty Images

If you want an opinionated, no-nonsense take on the modern-day game, Gary Player is the man to provide it for you.

Player made a name for himself by being hugely successful on the golf course throughout his career, with 159 worldwide victories to his name, including nine major championships.

And ever since he retired, the 90-year-old South African has remained firmly in the limelight due to his controversial takes and opinions on all matters concerning the modern-day professional game.

During a wide-ranging interview with Vanity Index Podcast, the legendary Gary Player gave his opinion on a variety of current topics.

Photo by Kenny Smith/Getty Images
Photo by Kenny Smith/Getty Images

Player suggested that Phil Mickelson will never win the US Open, while naming Rickie Fowler as the one current golfer without a major championship to his name who could still complete the career Grand Slam.

He also gave his take on something that annoys him the most about the modern-day game.

Angry Gary Player has a complaint about ‘selfish’ modern-day golfers

Player didn’t hold back at all when asked what his main bugbear is in the game today.

“You know, I just loved Arnold. He was a great people person. He loved people,” Player said.

“He was like me. He’d go up and talk to people just on an airplane or in an airport anywhere. We never ever turned down signing autographs, and neither did Jack.

“A lot of these young players today, I want to tell you, it’s a pain to get an autograph from them.

Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images

“They think they’re doing you a big favor.

“Funnily enough, I was, before I took this call, signing at least 500 to a thousand autographs, and it’s such a pleasure to do it for people. Because the amateur is the heart of the game, and these people are our fans.

“They give us the love, and the greatest word that exists in any book is love, and so we have got to reciprocate and return it.

“It just amazes me how selfish some of the athletes are today in that regard.”

Unfair criticism from Gary Player

That seems like a slight generalization from Mr. Player.

Plenty of golfers spend hours signing autographs after their rounds, namely Bryson DeChambeau and Jordan Spieth.

As Player said, it’s vitally important for the best golfers in the world to spend time giving back to the fans.

Without the fans, and the interest they provide, the top golfers in the world today wouldn’t be earning a tenth of the money that they are currently earning.

In fairness to most of the big-name stars, they realize that as well.

Gary Player’s criticism of the biggest stars in the current game was unfair to say the least in my opinion.

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