“Better late than never,” Gary Player said after the birdie putt at the 18 hole on the first day of the PNC Championship. At 89, nine-time major champion, Gary Player has found a way to be in the news off late. While his participation in the family-based event was worth talking about, it was his revelation and details about his new girlfriend did spring a surprise for the golfing world as did his admiration for US President Donald Trump. But what caught most attention were his comments on the ongoing impasse between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour as he ripped into Greg Norman.

Player insisted that a deal for the merger should have been completed last December and claimed that Norman has a ‘personal vendetta’ against the PGA. He said, “Then they got Greg Norman, who I’m very friendly with. He’s had a personal vendetta against the PGA for ages. So it started off badly and it’s not going to get better. Now when you win a tournament, can you honestly say, ‘I’m beating the best in the world?'”

He even added he had no idea what would eventually happen with the golf world and if they could replace legends like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. While this was supposed to bring in appreciation, it drew criticism from the fans with many calling it ‘yapping’. But weeks later it seems he has finally redeemed himself in the eyes of the fans—doing what he knows best.

Gary Player was part of the field with one of his 22 grandkids, Alexander Hall, at the 2024 PNC Championship. On the final day, a few hours ago, the 89 YO displayed why it is still regarded as the legend of golf. He finished the tournament at the Ritz Carlton with an exceptional eagle shot. Even the PGA Tour Champions took to their official Instagram account and shared the video. In the caption they wrote, “What a moment ❤️”.

While he may not have been among the challengers to win, he did turn back the clock with some of his displays on the greens. Player also kicked his right leg high in the air in celebration after the opening-day birdie- a rare one for him and his grandson at the event.

Coming into the tournament, Player had to pick one of his grandchildren to team with him, and to solve this dilemma he has developed a unique selection process.

Four years ago, the South African golfing legend organized the Grandsons Challenge, the Cousins Qualifier, or the Choker’s Cup, depending on how he was feeling. This year the 18 holes of stroke play were held just before Thanksgiving at the Bear’s Club, in Jupiter, Florida and four of Player’s grandkids teed it up with the 17-year-old Hall emerging as the winner.

Meanwhile, following his eagle on the 18th, the golf fans flocked to the IG post of the PGA Tour and showered him with love. It seems Player managed to win back the fans with his play.

The golf community shows admiration for Gary Player at the PNC Championship

Sunday was a round of miracles at the Ritz Carlton. Tiger Woods’s son made a memorable hole-in-one, marking the shot of his life, but it was Bernhard Langer who delivered the decisive blow on Sunday. Langer sank an 18-foot eagle putt in a playoff to defeat Woods and his son Charlie Woods in an exciting showdown at the PNC Championship. And then came in Gary Player’s exceptional shot. Taking to this, one of them commented, “Gary Player eagle on 18 and Charlie Woods ace. Time is crazy.”

It’s incredible to think that Gary Player, who won the Career Grand Slam in 1965, was nearing the end of his career when Tiger Woods was born in 1975. Fast forward to today, and Player, now a living legend, competes alongside Tiger’s son, Charlie, in the same tournament— the PNC Championship.

It’s a surreal moment where the past and future of golf collide, with Charlie carrying on the Woods legacy while Player, who witnessed Tiger’s rise, continues to be part of the game’s rich history. Taking to this, one of them wrote, “Gary Player won the grand slam in 1965 and is playing in the same tournament as Tiger Woods’s son. Tiger was born around the time Gary retired from the tour. Unreal”.

Away from golf, Player also had major personal news to share with the fans. He found love again at 89, after his friends tried to have him meet New York native Susan Waterfall. The pair finally met a few months ago when Player was made an honorary member of Shell Bay Club in Miami and they hit it off.

“When I did finally get to meet her, I thought she was wonderful. So I said to her, ‘I’m looking for an American girlfriend.’ She didn’t answer me. But two days later she came back to me and said, ‘I’d like to be your American girlfriend,’” Player mentioned.

Gary Player was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974, and long before that, he earned the nickname “Mr. Fitness” in the 1950s due to his strict exercise regimen. In an era when fitness routines were rare among golfers, Player’s dedication to physical conditioning set him apart. Now, at 89, the nickname feels more fitting than ever, as he continues to exemplify the importance of fitness in both golf and life.

Player still follows a strict workout and diet regimen and shared how he stays fit. “Undereating is the secret for longevity. Exercise, sleep. Well, laugh a lot. I laugh all the time. Read a lot. Keep the mind sharp. Read, learn to speak, build your vocabulary. Have friends, have friends. So I do 10 things,” he said. His active mindset hasn’t gone unnoticed either.

One of them commented, “Such a role model for staying fit & active after 80🦵💪”. 

Another was left in awe looking at the flexibility he had for an 89 YO. Taking to this, they wrote, “That’s some flexibility right there”.

Gary Player has won nine major championships during his reign in the PGA Tohr and nine more at the PGA Champions. If his tenure was ago he accumulated, the golfer won over 150 championships in seven decades. Focusing on this, another simply wrote, “Living legend. Wow.”

What are your thoughts on Gary Player’s legacy? Let us know in the comments section below!