Wayne Player has revealed he is banned for life from The Masters for his tacky ambush marketing stunt while a tribute was being paid to Lee Elder at the 2021 Honorary Starters Ceremony.
Player was on the tee for the ceremony with his father, the legendary Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Elder – the first African-American to play in the Masters. During a speech from chairman Fred Ridley in tribute to Elder, Wayne Player, who was stood behind him on the first tee, held up a packet of golf balls with 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.
Now, speaking to Golf Digest, Player says he wrote a letter to chairman Ridley and Augusta National to apologise for the gesture but is banned.
‘It said thanks but no thanks,’ Player 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.
‘They say there’s no such thing as bad publicity, I found out that that’s not quite true.’
Wayne Player (right) says he has been banned for life from The Masters for holding up a packet of golf balls by Lee Elder (centre) during a tribute to him in the Honorary Starters Ceremony
Player says he wrote to apologise to Augusta following the stunt in 2021 but his ban is in place
Player also claimed that he spoke to Elder, who he says held no hard feelings for his stunt during such a poignant moment.
‘I’ve got Lee’s cellphone number. I called and I said, ‘You know, Lee, I love you guys.’ You know, everyone said I was disrespectful for a special moment in time for Elder. I said I was sorry, and I didn’t mean to take up his special time.
‘He said, “Wayne, you know how much I love you. Right?” It didn’t cross his mind. That’s important for people to know,’ Player said.
And speaking of his Augusta ban, he continued: ‘I don’t mind letting people know.
‘To be completely transparent I think it is a cool story because you know, the National never really came out formally and said, “Oh, we’re, you know, not allowing Wayne Player to come back to the Masters.” They never ever said that to the media. That’s just the way they do it. They don’t say much.’
Player’s father Gary was crticised at this year’s Masters event for wearing a Golf Saudi logo in 2022 ceremony.
The nine-time major champion is a Golf Saudi ambassador and launched a defence of Phil Mickelson, who was missed the tournament after backing a proposed breakaway Saudi golf league despite describing them as scary mother*******’ and saying they ‘have a horrible record on human rights’.
Player, 86, said: ‘I have a special thought on Phil Mickelson. I think we live in a time now when we are such a judgmental society, a litigious society, a critical society, where people get crucified.
Elder was the first African-American to compete in The Masters – he died last November
Gary Player (right) pictured in in Golf Saudi attire during this year’s ceremony at Augusta
‘The greatest PR man on the golf Tour in the last five or X amount of years has been Phil Mickelson. He has been the ideal man for a sponsor, for professional golf, for the public, the way he’s handled the public, with dignity and with love.
‘And he makes a mistake, which every one of you in this room have made a damn mistake. We all have. And he said he’s sorry. But even the Lord God will forgive you of your inequities if you ask for forgiveness.
‘He said terrible things, but we all make mistakes. Hold your head up high. You’ve made a mistake. Everybody makes a mistake. And he should go on with his life.’