Gary Player clarifies Ryder Cup comments, says they ‘were intended to be a warning’

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[Photo: Kenny Smith]

Gary Player has issued a statement clarifying recent remarks he made about the Ryder Cup.

The golf legend who turned 90 earlier this month has been critical of the 2025 Ryder Cup, particularly the crowd’s behaviour at Bethpage Black. However, he wanted to set the record straight that he does not wish to “abolish” the biennial event between Europe and the United States.

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Here’s the nine-time major champ’s full statement on the matter:

It has been brought to my attention that recent media reports have stated that I wish to see an end to the Ryder Cup competition – nothing could be further from the truth! I hold its organisers, the PGA of America and the Ryder Cup Europe, in the highest regard.

Obviously, with my South African roots, I never played in the Ryder Cup. But throughout my career, I have loved competing in the match-play format as is evidenced by my 5 wins in the World Match Play events at Wentworth, including my famous win when I beat Tony Lema after being 7-down. Also, being a Captain of the International Presidents Cup team was one of the great honours of my career.

My comments about the Ryder Cup were intended to be a warning that this great tournament is at risk of coming to an end if the recent behaviour in New York is allowed to continue, or even worse, escalate further at future events.

I love the Ryder Cup format as do many millions of fans all over the globe. I want to see this great team competition continue to grow in a manner that allows it to meet the changing commercial needs of its sponsors and partners. But, I desperately want this growth not be at the expense of the dignity and respect which golfers and golf supporters have historically

shown to one another. That is what I spoke about and what I am warning about now. I want nothing more than that the Ryder Cup continues in perpetuity. I love the Ryder Cup so much that I am presently assisting in the design of a golf course at Luton Hoo, outside London. In that design I am particularly focused on producing a course that will meet all the criteria for a future Ryder Cup venue.

There were thousands of supporters and workers at Bethpage Black who behaved in the manner of how golf tournaments should be characterised. From the players to the fans, let’s work together to make the Ryder Cup’s future shine bright.

Player certainly wasn’t the only person to criticise how things played out at Bethpage Black in September when visiting European players were subject to verbal abuse from the crowd, especially Rory McIlroy. A first-tee announcer hired by the PGA of America, Heather McMahan, even led a crass anti-Rory chant that resulted in the PGA issuing an apology and her being relieved of her duties.

As Player notes, he never participated in a Ryder Cup given his South African roots, but he calls captaining the Internationals at the Presidents Cup “one of the great honours of his career.”

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