Gary Player lavishes praise on LIV after South African golf legends criticised

Gary Player has lavished praise on LIV Golf after the PIF-backed league staged a tournament in his home country for the very first time. 

The breakaway tour's stop at The Club at Steyn City last week proved to be a hugely popular tournament.

More than 100,000 spectators reportedly passed through the gates over four days of action in Johannesburg.

A tearful Bryson DeChambeau claimed his second consecutive LIV win after getting the better of Spain's Jon Rahm in a sudden-death playoff. 

The all-South African Southern Guards were also narrowly defeated in the team format by DeChambeau's Crushers. 

Tournament organisers have already confirmed the event will return in the 2027/2028 schedule. 

And nine-time major champion Player, who recently turned 90, couldn't be happier.

Player took to X on Monday evening to lavish praise on LIV for staging "a world-class event". 

In doing so, he became the first high-profile golfer from South Africa to acknowledge the tournament. 

Former Masters champion and current Official World Golf Ranking chairman, Trevor Immelman, and four-time major winner, Ernie Els, were called out by armchair golf fans over the weekend after both didn't comment as the tournament unfolded.

That The Big Easy didn't pass comment was no surprise, given he previously described the league as "a circus" and claimed the team format doesn't work. 

Immelman, of course, is also the lead golf analyst for CBS Sports, covering the majors and the PGA Tour. 

"Many congratulations to Bryson DeChambeau on a magnificent and thrilling victory here in South Africa," Player wrote on X.  

"What a spectacle for the game of golf. To watch two of the world’s finest competitors going head-to-head in a playoff is exactly the kind of drama that lifts our sport and captivates fans at the course and around the globe. 

"But I must say, it fills my heart with tremendous pride to see South Africa hosting such a world-class event. 

Player said South Africa is a nation with a deep love for the game. 

He added: "To showcase our beautiful land, our passionate supporters, and our rich golfing heritage on the world stage is something truly special. 

"I was also delighted to see the Southern Guards perform so admirably, coming so close to securing the team title. 

"They represented themselves, and South Africa, with great distinction. Just as the Nedbank Golf Challenge does, I have no doubt this event will also help inspire the next generation of young South Africans to pick up a club and dream big. GP."

Player has changed his tune

Player's comments demonstrate just how much his opinion has changed since LIV's inaugural season. 

Back in 2022, Player told BBC Sport that he had no issue with golfers leaving the PGA Tour for LIV. 

But he said that the league was for "people who don't have confidence in their future".