Three-time Masters champion Gary Participant is in a bitter row with Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership after the 90-year-old was denied a spherical on the hallowed turf together with his grandchildren.
The South African, who gained the inexperienced jacket in 1961, 1974 and 1978, blasted the present regime on the famed membership in a fiery interview.
FOX SPORTS, accessible on Kayo Sports activities, is streaming The 2026 PGA Tour LIVE & Unique | New to Kayo? Be a part of now and get your first month for simply $1.
Participant has had a sophisticated relationship with Augusta regardless of his success in The Masters, and being an honorary starter alongside fellow legends Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson yearly.
The nine-time main champion and profession grand slam winner’s son Wayne was banned for all times by the membership 5 years in the past for a advertising and marketing stunt.
Wayne was current within the conventional full-white outfit to caddie for his father and took his alternative to carry up a pack of golf balls for all of the cameras to see.
The promotional effort was not effectively obtained, therefore the ban, and Participant’s relationship with the inexperienced jacket hierarchy turned extra fascinating a yr later when he stated The Masters was “the worst” of males’s golf 4 main championships.
Whatever the feedback, Augusta Nationwide clearly nonetheless holds a particular place in Participant’s coronary heart and he’s deeply harm by the refusal of his request for an unforgettable household second.
“I’ve been an envoy for Augusta for all these years, but they gained’t let me have one spherical of golf in my life with my three grandsons,” Participant stated.
“All of the programs which have hosted the Open, the US Open and the [US] PGA would oblige, however they gained’t do it at Augusta.
“My grandsons are dying to find out about their grandfather’s episodes on that golf course. It’s simply this present administration there. However these are the instances we dwell in, and I settle for it, however I settle for it with disappointment.
“After I go there, I really feel like I’m strolling on to a golf course in heaven. I tread very rigorously and I like Augusta a lot – however I don’t like all the principles.”
Get all the newest golf information, highlights and evaluation delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports activities Sportmail. Enroll now!!!
Participant’s feedback as soon as once more shines the highlight on Augusta Nationwide’s distinctive algorithm.
Champions are solely allowed to maintain their inexperienced jacket for the twelve months instantly following their victory, which means Rory McIlroy must place his inexperienced jacket in his new locker within the well-known Champions’ Locker Room and depart it there each time he departs Augusta.
Regardless of having their very own area inside the clubhouses, champions will not be thought-about full members.
Even five-time winner Tiger Woods is barely an honorary member and must be joined on the course by a full member.
Participant is especially irked by the truth that his contemporaries Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus had been elevated to full member.
And because the first non-American to win The Masters, Participant believes his affect on the event was as massive as Palmer and Nicklaus’.
“There are quite a lot of issues which have made Augusta what it’s, however the half we [the big three] performed was a prevalent a part of my profession,” Participant stated.
“Bobby Jones [the co-founder] was a beautiful man and a beautiful asset to a beautiful event, as was president Eisenhower [who was a member] as was [the other co-founder] Clifford Roberts. These three individuals, they mainly made Augusta.
“Then Arnold, Jack and I got here alongside, and we fought it out yearly, after which we made Augusta due to the protection and publicity we generated across the Masters – whether or not the membership likes to confess it or not. They gained’t admit it, however we made Augusta.”