Gary Player’s son caused a stir at the Masters last week and now he is being punished for it in a huge way.
Wayne Player was serving as his father’s caddie and while the Masters honored his father and Lee Elder. The golf legend’s son could be seen in the background holding up his father’s OnCore golf ball while Chairman Fred Ridley was recognizing his father and Elder.
Player was trying to get a sleeve of golf balls into the view of the TV cameras and got heavily criticized for it.
He said there was “zero intent” to advertise the brand.
“The only thought from that point was that it would be cool for fans to know what ball my dad was teeing off with,” he said Friday. “That’s where it ends. If I’ve hurt people’s feelings then I’m truly sorry and hope they will forgive me.”
Marc Player, Wayne’s brother, tweeted Sunday his brother had been banned from Augusta National and the tournament.
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“Wayne has since correctly been banned from Augusta National and The Masters tournament. What a shame. What an embarrassment. What a bad decision to allow him on the first tee after years of similar shenanigans. My apologies to all,” Marc Player wrote.
The golf ball company has released a statement:
“We are aware of the criticisms that have been raised as a result of our product being displayed by Wayne Player at this morning’s ceremonial tee shot at the Masters, most specifically during the introduction of Lee Elder, one of golf’s trailblazers,” OnCore CEO Keith Blakely said.
“We did not ask or instruct Mr. Player to have our ball sleeve visible during the ceremony and are sorry if his actions caused any offense or was a distraction from the wonderful recognition being paid to Mr. Elder.”
