Gary Player is a traditionalist by nature and he has made it very clear on numerous occasions that he is not a fan of LIV Golf in any way shape or form.
Player is arguably the most controversial voice in the game right now and he seems to have ramped up the passion of his rhetoric over the past few years.
The South African golfing legend, who won nine major championships throughout his career, seems to make it his business to deliver an opinion on every single topic in the current professional game.
Player has criticized the modern game on numerous occasions recently, specifically the advances in technology.
There was also a huge furore when Player made controversial comments about the Ryder Cup, before backtracking on them just days after.
Another one of Player’s main gripes over the past few years has been LIV Golf.
He has repeatedly shared his opinion that those who joined the Saudi-backed golf league should not be allowed to come back and play regular tournaments.
Back in 2023, the nine-time major champion shared his surprise that two players in particular took the money to join LIV.
Two golfers who ‘surprised’ Gary Player by joining LIV Golf
While Player often critcizes certain aspects of the modern-day game, he is a staunch supporter of the PGA Tour.
And his loyalty to the Tour shone through in 2023 when he made disparaging comments about LIV Golf.
Player spoke to the Daily Mail one year after LIV’s inception and shared his thoughts on the fledgling golf league.
He said: “Most who left do not believe they can win on the regular tour any more. Louis Oosthuizen is probably the finest gentleman I’ve met in golf and he’s never won a tournament in America, so of course he’s going to take their money.
“Dustin Johnson and Cameron Smith, I was surprised they took the money but that’s their choice. But I believe once you’ve decided that’s your tour, you should not be allowed to come back and play regular tournaments. I don’t like 54-hole tournaments, nor the team side of it.
“Personally I think you shouldn’t be allowed to dress in shorts either. But the freedom to choose is important. The thing that irks me is it’s become a damn war. Can’t stand it.”
Interestingly, two of Player’s gripes are no longer in play on LIV.
The tournaments will be over 72 holes starting in 2026 and the players will no longer be allowed to wear shorts moving forward.
LIV Golf eyeing new signings ahead of the 2026 season
The powers that be at LIV will be hoping to tempt some big-name players into joining them during the off-season.
The fact that LIV events will now be 72-hole tournaments going forward should help them obtain world ranking points after their recent application to the OWGR.
And in turn, that may tempt certain PGA Tour players into jumping ship.
In fact, two recent PGA Tour winners are said to be in talks with LIV Golf right now.
Quite who LIV Golf have on their radar remains to be seen but the feeling is that they need to make a big statement this winter.
Player will undoubtedly be disappointed with any golfer who makes the switch to LIV this year and beyond.
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