South African golfing royalty was present at the Nedbank Golf Challenge this week in the form of Gary Player and Ernie Els.
Player and Els are arguably South Africa’s greatest golfing icons, having both enjoyed stunning careers on the course.
Els is a four-time major champion, while Player claimed a huge nine major championship wins during his career.
The duo reunited this week at Gary Player CC in Sun City, host of the Nedbank Golf Challenge in honor of the man himself.
Ernie Els praises ‘hero’ Gary Player at the Nedbank Golf Challenge
As per the DP World Tour on X, Els shared what his fellow South African meant to him as he addressed fans while attending the event alongside Player.
He said: “I grew up in Johannesburg, and I came to Sun City as a kid, and I came to watch the greats play.
“I watched Gary Player, he brought Arnold Palmer, he brought Lee Trevino, Jack Nicklaus, Seve [Ballesteros], the who’s who of golf. And it’s still happening, all because of Gary Player.
“And I wanted to come and kiss the man’s hand today, because he’s 90 now, and what he’s done for our sport, for any sport in South Africa, and especially at Sun City, we wouldn’t be sitting here today, standing here, playing golf here today if it wasn’t for this great man right here.
“It’s such an honour. I can call him one of my best friends today. He’s always been my hero, but he’s a really good friend of ours.
“And not a lot of times in your life does your hero actually… a lot of times you meet people and you think wow they can’t get better until you meet them.
“But I’ve met my hero, and he’s better than my expectations I can tell you that. It’s a wonderful time for us to be here.
“A lot of great memories here, three wins here, all because of your help. A couple of times I messed up and you let me know about that.
“But that’s our South African way. But what a wonderful spot to be here right now, so thank you very much.”
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Gary Player and Ernie Els to go down as golfing greats
Player has garnered the respect of the entire golfing world, for his efforts both on and off the course over the years.
That includes completing the career grand slam, with Player having won each of the four major championship events.
His iconic compatriot fell just short in that area, with Els instead winning the US Open twice and The Open Championship twice.
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The South African pair boast a huge 43 PGA Tour wins between them, having both shone on the PGA Tour Champions afterwards.
It’s truly remarkable the shape Player is currently in at the age of 90, having certainly earned the high praise of 56-year-old Els.
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