adminGOLF legend Gary Player has dramatically accused his son Marc of putting his trophies and memorabilia for sale on an auction site without his permission.
Player, 86, published a statement on Twitter on Monday saying he has taken action to recover the items.
“I would like to draw the public’s attention to the fact that several trophies and other pieces of memorabilia that form part of my legacy have been put up for auction by my son and ex-manager, Marc,” the statement says.
“These items belong to me and I have taken action to recover them. I have placed no items for sale – whether by auction or otherwise.”
Player faced a similar situation in 2020, when Golden Age Golf Auctions listed eight of his trophies, including his first Masters title in 1978, on its website.
Player said they appeared without his permission, but it is not known who put them there.
In 2020, Gary Player won a $5 million legal dispute against Marc in what GolfDigest reported were unpaid royalties from The Gary Player Group which was run by Marc.
During his career, Player won nine major titles – three Masters, two PGA Championships, one US Open and three British Opens. He also had 24 tournament victories on the PGA Tour.
This is not the first time one of Player’s sons have been involved in controversy.
In May, Wayne Player revealed he has been banned for life from the Masters for a tacky ambush marketing stunt while a tribute was being paid to Lee Elder at the 2021 honorary starters ceremony.
Acting as a caddie, Wayne Player was on the first tee for the ceremony with his father, Jack Nicklaus and Elder – the first African-American to play in the Masters.
During a speech from chairman Fred Ridley in tribute to Elder, Wayne Player, who was standing behind him, held up a packet of golf balls with its brand on show.
Elder’s poor health meant he was unable to play a tee shot, as is tradition in the ceremony, alongside Gary Player and Nicklaus. He died six months later in November 2021.
Player Senior was criticised at this year’s Masters event for wearing a Golf Saudi logo during the ceremony.
The nine-time major champion is a Golf Saudi ambassador and launched a defence of Phil Mickelson, who missed the tournament after backing a proposed breakaway Saudi golf league.
Player said: “I have a special thought on Phil Mickelson. I think we live in a time now when we are such a judgmental society, a litigious society, a critical society, where people get crucified.
“The greatest PR man on the golf Tour in the last five or X amount of years has been Phil Mickelson. He has been the ideal man for a sponsor, for professional golf, for the public, the way he’s handled the public, with dignity and with love.” – Mailonline.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter