‘I Feel Vivienne’s Absence Every Day’: Golf Legend Gary Player Pens Down an Emotional Message for His Late Wife

Losing a loved one isn’t easy for anyone, especially when it’s your life partner of 64 years. Nearly a year ago, legendary golfer, Gary Player lost his wife after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Unquestionably, Player still misses the love of his life daily. On the death anniversary of his wife, Gary Player paid a heart-touching tribute to his wife on Twitter.

Player married Vivienne Player four years after turning professional. Though she married one of the best athletes in South Africa, she was quite an athlete herself. Vivienne specialized in backstroke at swimming competitions during her youth. Moreover, she once reportedly made two hole-in-one in a single round.

At times, Gary Player would take golf swing advice from his wife. The love and support of Vivienne helped the Black Knight in winning 9 Major titles. After losing his wife on August 18th of 2021, Player has frequently shared his emotions. The South African star honored his loving wife on Twitter.

Gary Player pays his wife a touching tribute

The future grand slam champion saw his future wife while looking over a fence, the two South Africans instantly fell in love. She was striking golf balls, after all. Player always stayed beside his bedridden wife during the last phase of her life.

On the anniversary of her death, Gary Player posted a picture of him and his wife while they were young. But what warmed even more hearts was the heartfelt caption written by the Black Knight.

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Player wrote, “I cannot fathom that it’s now been one year without the love of my life by my side. I’ve been keeping busy as a means to distract myself, but I feel Vivienne’s absence every day. Despite my family’s pain, it brings me solace knowing that she’s at peace.”

In the end, Player added, “We love and miss you, Viv.” The couple shared six children, 22 grandchildren, (currently) two great-grandchildren, countless members of extended family, and millions around the world whose lives she touched.

How Player married Viv?

Gary Player currently must be a Golf Hall of Famer while being considered one of the best golfers to embrace the sport. However, long before his 9 Majors, Player didn’t have much money to marry the woman of his dreams.

The now 86 years old proposed Vivienne for marriage when he was only 14 years old. But he then advised delaying until he had enough money to raise a family. After Player won the Ampol Tournament in Australia in 1956, that day finally arrived. He sent her a telegram with the simple message, “Buy the dress,” after winning $5,000. The Players got married in 1957 and had their first child, Jennifer, in the year 1959.

We all are well aware of how the lives of the Players changed in later years. Gary Player went on to become one of the greatest golfers of all time with his loving wife beside him. The couple is considered a power couple in the sport and remained together up until Vivienne’s passing away. Every one of us only hopes to find ourselves a loving partner like the Players.

How adorable was Gary Player’s relationship with his wife? Share your thoughts on the couple in the comments section below.

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