Golfing legend Gary Player believes that government and sports should remain separate, especially as the golf industry undergoes a major merger that has raised concerns about antitrust practices.
During an interview with CNBC at the Berenberg Invitational, the 87-year-old South African golfer expressed his view that the two have become too intertwined.
Player emphasized the importance of keeping governments out of sports, stating, “It’s absolutely vital that we get governments to stay out of sport. Let sports bodies focus on sports, and politicians should stick to politics.”
However, it is worth noting that Player himself has been involved in politics and sports. He served as an ambassador for Golf Saudi, an organization dedicated to promoting golf in Saudi Arabia. Currently, he is an ambassador for the Saudi energy giant Aramco and proudly displays its logo on his golf shirts.
Player also expressed support for the proposed merger between Saudi-backed LIV Golf and the PGA Tour, despite the criticism and scrutiny it has faced from regulators, lawmakers, and fellow golfers. In the past, he has voiced opposition to golfers leaving the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf, referring to it as a move for “guys that can’t win one the regular tour anymore.”
Regarding the merger, Player believes that bringing the parties together will benefit the world by providing players with more money to compete for a longer time.
Recently, a U.S. Senate subcommittee held its second hearing on the proposed merger and even subpoenaed the Saudi Public Investment Fund for information related to the merger and other U.S. investments.
Player also expressed his disapproval of athletes becoming too politically involved, specifically mentioning athletes who refuse to stand for the national anthem and criticizing the political views of the U.S. women’s national soccer team.
Player’s thoughts on golf and charity
Player, one of only five players to have won all four major championships, has a total of nine majors to his name and has played golf with every U.S. president in the last 70 years. He shared his perspective on the upcoming Ryder Cup at Marco Simone in Italy.
Expressing his opposition to captain’s picks, Player stated, “I’m very much against captain’s picks. Incentivization is important. Have a system where the leading 12 events determine who represents the United States. That’s how it should be.”
It is worth noting that in 1989, the United States Ryder Cup team introduced the controversial practice of “captain’s picks,” where team captains choose the players to represent the United States. This practice has been in place internationally for over four decades.
Player was in Bedford Hill, New York, for his celebrity golf event, which raises funds for pancreatic cancer, the disease that claimed his wife’s life in 2021.
According to Player, “Golf is the greatest catalyst for raising money for charities around the world.”
