Gary Player has been busy at Augusta National this week, returning to the site of three of his major championship wins.
Player boasts three titles at The Masters, while his 52 starts at Augusta National are more than any other player.
The South African legend finished his career with nine major wins in total, and is still going strong on the course at the age of 90.
And during his travels to Georgia, Player was on hand to share his fantastic insight for the current generation.
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Gary Player says thinking and putting are key for young golfers to succeed
Speaking to Golf while flying to The Masters for this year’s event, Player said: “Young guys coming out and taking golf as a profession, they think it’s how you swing and how far you hit the ball, irrelevant.
“It’s how well you think, and how well you putt.”
It is simple but superb advice from the golfing icon, which both professional and amateur golfers should definitely take on board.
He was also asked if it feels different going to Augusta than anywhere else, to which he replied: “I love Augusta. Augusta is a very, very special place. It’s the best-run tournament in the world.
“It’s the most beautiful place and tournament, that and Pebble Beach and probably Cypress Point.
“You’ve got places like it, but it ranks there with one of the most beautiful places to play golf. It’s an integral part of my life.
“This will be my 68th visit to Augusta. I never go to bed in my life ever without saying a prayer, ever, ever.
“And when I drive in Magnolia Lane, I always say a prayer of gratitude, of thanks, to win this three times, I think I’ve been in the top 10, 14 or 15 times, whatever it is.
“I had the record for the most number of cuts in a row. Tiger [Woods] passed me last year. And I played it the most, 52 times. And this is my 68th visit, so it’s a big part of my life.”
Gary Player’s favorite part of The Masters is the tee-off
Player is, of course, no longer playing at The Masters, but he was once again selected as an Honorary Starter.
He took on the important role alongside fellow legends Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, and has chosen that moment as his highlight of the entire week.
“I would say the tee-off at the tournament,” he said of his favorite moment at Augusta. “Because you walk out of there at that club and there’s a row of people, and they are cheering and giving you their love.
“Goosebumps. And you say ‘They’re doing it for me? I’m not that important’. So it makes you very humble, it should do, and you shouldn’t think you’re important because you’re not in God’s eyes, you’re just another man.
“And it’s just the love that’s given to you. You walk out on that first tee and it brings back memories to you when you first teed off.”
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He’ll likely be eager to return next year despite his age, with the South African having clearly looked after his body and his mind very well.
That certainly allowed him to enjoy the wonderful career that he did, with Player representing a fine role model to the current generation.
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