The volatile atmosphere at the 2025 Ryder Cup created by abusive fans at Bethpage Black did not sit well with many people. And many of those people have let their opinions be known. Hall of Famer Gary Player was chief among them.
But after Player’s particularly harsh comments about the event caused a firestorm, the nine-time major winner now blames “media reports” for suggesting he wants to see the Ryder Cup end.
Here’s what you need to know.
‘Disgusted’ Gary Player calls Ryder Cup ‘worst event in the world’
Player, who turned 90 on November 1st, watched the chaos unfold at this year’s Ryder Cup, and the experience left him in a “state of shock.”
That’s according to an interview he did with the Palm Beach Post after the Ryder Cup, in which he unloaded on the event for what had transpired.
‘Worst event in world’: Gary Player rails against Ryder Cup players, fans
Player stated he was “disgusted” by the action of fans and some players at Bethpage, and declared “the Ryder Cup is a shambles.”
“Golf has been a gentleman’s sport. So, and to see that, and to see the players using this ‘F’ word, I mean, the whole lot,” Player told the Palm Beach Post.
But one line in particular caught everyone’s attention: “the Ryder Cup to me is the worst event in the world.”
That comment caused the most controversy, and it’s what inspired Player to take to his social media channels this week to explain himself.
Player walks back Ryder Cup critiques in statement
Given his public opinion that the Ryder Cup is the “worst event in the world,” it’s understandable to infer Player would like to see the tournament come to an end.
But in a lengthy statement posted on November 5th, Player denied that’s what he meant.
“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,” Player’s statement began, “nothing could be further from the truth!”
He said that his comments were meant as a “warning” that the Ryder Cup is “at risk of coming to and end” if the bad behavior at Bethpage Black “is allowed to continue.”
Tempers flared. Fans clashed. This Ryder Cup went to the brink
Player then claimed to “love the Ryder Cup format” and expressed his wishes “to see this great team competition continue to grow.” But he clarified that he does not want that growth to come “at the expense of the dignity and respect which golfers and golf supporters have historically shown to one another.”
He also admitted that despite the loudest and worst fans, there were “thousands of supporters and workers at Bethpage Black who behaved in the manner of how golf tournaments should be characterized.”
You can read Player’s full statement clarifying his Ryder Cup comments below.
