‘Got a young girlfriend’: Golf icon Gary Player’s wild Masters monologue

One of the greatest golfers of all time proved he’s still got it at the Masters before the 89-year-old stunned many with his life advice.

Gary Player has still got it.

The South African golf legend was in fine form at the Masters on Friday (AEST) as he lined up for the ceremonial tee off to commence the tournament at Augusta National.

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As has been tradition in recent years, Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson are given the honour of teeing off to officially start the Masters.

While 18-time major champion Nicklaus, 85, showed his age as he bent down to tee up his ball, Player looked as nimble as ever as the 89-year-old drove his ball down the fairway and celebrated with a karate kick.

One golf fan wrote on Instagram: “Need to know what Gary Player’s secrets are to be moving like that at 89.”

“Gary’s set-up looks so good,” a second said.

Another commented: “Gary Player looks almost immortal!”

Player won nine majors, including three Masters, and is just one of five men to complete golf’s grand slam by winning all four majors — the Masters, Open Championship, US Open and the PGA Championship.

Much like Australian golfing great Greg Norman, Player wants to live until age 100 and his Masters press conference took a turn when he was asked the last time he ate junk food.

A reporter asked: “Gary, in 1997 when Tiger Woods won the Masters, he revealed that he famously ate at Arby’s every single night. I was wondering when the last time you had any fast food was?”

Player replied: “Well, you don’t reach 90 as I do if you eat a bunch of crap. I can tell you that. But that’s your choice. Everybody has a choice.

“I want to live to 100 because I love people. I love golf. I just love life.

Watch Gary Player’s wild answer in the video above

Gary Player was giving out some serious life advice. Photo: X.

The South African has still got it. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

“I’ve got a young girlfriend — I’ve changed my life. How about that, at 90, finding a girlfriend? Tom (Watson) is not as old as me, but he’s also found a new one.

“I’ll tell you what, guys, you all — you or your wife is going to die. One of the spouses are going to die and it’s not the end of life.

“So many people that does happen and they get so disheartened that they don’t think they should continue life. The greatest gift bestowed upon a man or woman is life. So my ambition is to reach 100.

“So I went to India and I met a gerontologist and he gave me 11 things to work on, which I adhere to. So I might drop dead tomorrow, but I’m giving it a hell of a try.”

Player’s wife of 64 years Vivienne passed away in 2021 and he met his new girlfriend Susan Waterfall last year.

Gary Player, Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson on the first hole at the Masters. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

McIlroy nightmare in Masters Round 1

Justin Rose leads the Masters at 7-under par after the first round ahead of defending champion Scottie Scheffler, Canada’s Corey Conners and Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg at 4-under.

It was a disastrous finish to the round for Rory McIlroy, who was cruising at 4-under and keeping pace with Scheffler when he chipped into the water at the 15th hole — he had two double bogeys to finish even par.

McIlroy hasn’t won a major since 2014 and the Masters remains the only major he is yet to win.

Jason Day had the best start of the Australians with a 2-under round, while Cam Smith and Min Woo Lee both finished 1-under.

Originally published as ‘Got a young girlfriend’: Golf icon Gary Player’s wild Masters monologue