He tipped his hat to the crowd of fans packed around the ceremonial first tee shot that officially opened the 89th edition of the Masters, took one brief practice swing and fired. Happy with his shot, Player picked up his tee and then launched into a karate kick that sent his right leg higher than anyone at 89 years old probably should have.

Gary Player is a golfing great from another era. A man light-years ahead of his time, with some strong opinions about the golf swing. A few of which he unleashed following his ceremonial opening tee shot at the 2025 Masters.

Gary Player, the nine-time major champion who has won the Masters three times, was part of an unfortunate incident at the 2021 opening of the tournament that led to his son being banned for life by Augusta National.