While the NBA and NFL succumb to wokeness and anti-American displays, professional golf has, thankfully, avoided such problems. In fact, it has instead managed to keep patriotism and positivity alive, as shown by golf legend Gary Player’s comments before the 2024 Masters tournament. Speaking about America, Players reminded people how lucky they are to be born in one of the freest and most prosperous places on Earth.
As background, Player, a South African, won the Masters three times. His first win was in 1961 at the age of 29, making him the youngest player at the time to do so, though Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods later broke his record. He was also the only non-American to win all four major tournaments in his career, called a Grand Slam, and won the Masters again in 1974 and 1978.
Though he played in the Masters for the last time in 2009, he has been an honorary starter since 2012. This year, he, as an honorary starter, teed off to kick off the tournament, doing so alongside Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson. It was in that role that Player spoke to the media and commented on America, saying it has been a global force for good and that Americans are incredibly lucky.
After teeing off, he said, “I never forget to mention this, but coming to this great country, the United States of America, if you are here, you are so blessed. You should kiss the ground every day, and just appreciate what this country has done for the world, not only for yourself, but it’s about time America started doing more for their own.”
Player continued, commenting on meeting President Eisenhower when he played at Augusta for the first time in 1957, saying, “Well, obviously, having been here or associated with Augusta for 67 years and having come here for the first time in ’57 and met one of my heroes, President Eisenhower, because as we all know, he’s a man who believed in freedom, and what he did for this great country, you can’t describe it.”
He continued, explaining that he has seen much in the world and is filled with gratitude toward America, saying, “I had such admiration for him. I think the best way to describe it, which is really apt, is gratitude, how fortunate we are. And I’ve traveled more miles than any human being that’s ever lived now, and my eyes have seen things that are enjoyable, but also very sad.”
Player then said America is “the greatest country that God ever made” and that he is honored to be part of the tournament, telling the media, “And so you come here to this great country of the United States, the greatest country that God ever made, and that’s a privilege, and an honor, and to be part of this tournament is something that is much appreciated.”
Watch him here:
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video
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