Is Gary Player in love? The 89-year-old legend has done it all on the course. Player has won the Masters Tournament & the British Open 3 times each in his 9 majors wins. He was considered one of the 3 greatest players of the golden era alongside his best friend, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.

As a professional golfer, Gary Player is one of the most celebrated individuals in the community. But what about his personal life? Player was about 22 years old when he got married to Vivienne Verwey back in 1957. The couple shared 6 children and 22 grandchildren together to make one big happy family. They had a beautiful marriage for 64 years before she passed away in 2021.

Player, who still enjoyed participating in the majors with his pal Jack Nicklaus, continued to stay fit and young for his age. His active lifestyle and social network helped him find a partner again in Susan Waterfall.

Susan, who is a New York native, had been close associates with Player’s friends for some time. In fact, as per a report by the Golf Digest, Gary Player’s friends had been trying to set up Waterfall with him since soon after the legend’s wife passed away in 2021.

Interestingly enough, Player had himself announced that he was “looking for a Girlfriend” back in March 2023. So it doesn’t come as a surprise that he has found a partner and is enjoying his life at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida right now. Player is set to feature in the 2024 PNC Championship alongside his grandson, Alexander Hall.

Speaking to Golf Digest, Player discussed what it is like to have a girlfriend at 89, “It’s wonderful. Boy, it’s changed my life. You’ve got to have love in your life. We’re all searching for it.” The 9X major winner seemed clearly enthusiastic to talk about his relationship as he shared how they met: “I had people around the world trying to arrange for me to meet her.” Sharing how he convinced the young lady to be his girlfriend, the smooth Player added, “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.’”

Player confirmed that he didn’t immediately get a response from Susan, “But days later she came back to me and said, ‘I’d like to be your American girlfriend.’” The Black Knight also shared the nickname he has for his new partner he calls him “Susan Tsunami” stating that she is quite a ‘dynamo’.

But what brought Gary Player  and Susan Waterfall so close that he started talking about her to the media? Let’s hear it from Player himself.

Gary Player & Susan Waterfall’s dynamic

During the same interview, Gary Player also elaborated on how he and Susan got closer to each other. “It’s a miracle because she loves golf,” which makes her a great partner for the 24x PGA Tour winner. Speaking about things they have in common, Player added, “She loves gym work, she likes opera, she likes reading. She likes eating the proper foods. Everything I like, she likes. It’s just unbelievable.” They seem like a match made in heaven.

Player also gave a glimpse at where he sees this relationship going as he said, “Well to get a girlfriend at 89 … I was ready to settle for 90, but now I’d like to get to 100,” suggesting that he would love to live till 100 if he has Susan around. While clarifying that he is not looking at marriage right now, Player added, “It’s nice to have a companion, you know? It keeps you young. We’re darn lucky when we find it.” Finally, he shared a bit of wisdom for the youth in his closing remark as he said, “You can’t live without love. I just wish the whole world embraced that. Think how much better off we’d all be.”

What do you think about this new chapter in the life of Gary Player? You can share your views or wish him the best in the comments section.