Multiple major winner wants Ryder Cup abolished: "I sat there and cringed"

Gary Player just can't stop trashing the Ryder Cup. 

The nine-time major winner previously labelled the biennial contest between the United States and Europe the "worst event in the world" after what unfolded at Bethpage Black in September. 

Player, who turned 90 this week, was disgusted by the behaviour outside the gallery ropes and the way the European team were subjected to a barrage of verbal abuse. 

Masters champion and European talisman, Rory McIlroy, bore the brunt of the abuse from a hostile crowd throughout the event. 

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He was subjected to homophobic slurs, comments about his private life and, at times, was heckled during the top of his backswing. 

His wife Erica was even struck with a drinks cup.  

For his part, McIlroy said the abuse should "never be accepted" in golf but urged everyone to shift the narrative and remember the 2025 Ryder Cup for Europe's brilliant performance. 

That didn't stop several notable figures in the golf world from commenting, though. 

Tom Watson said he was "ashamed" and apologised. 

Even Collin Morikawa, who was part of the United States team, agreed that a line had been crossed. 

Player told the Palm Beach Post he was "in a state of shock" and wondered what the late Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer and Byron Nelson would've thought. 

He then labelled the Ryder Cup the "worst event in the world". 

Now, he has gone one step further and told Golf Digest in a recent Q&A that it should be abolished altogether. 

"And I'll tell you why," he said. "Nobody loves golf more than me, but I love golf to such an extent that I sat there and cringed. 

"The whole world was watching and all you heard was 'F' this and 'F' that and you see people misbehaving."

Player said the contest could be salvaged, though. "Just look at Augusta," he said. "Do you ever see that at Augusta? Do you ever see that at the U.S. Open? The British Open? No."

"There should be an asterisk"

It wasn't the only notable comment Player made in the interview. 

Player was involved in the creation of the PGA Tour in the late 1960s. 

He was among several top touring professional that wanted more control over tournament operations, prize money and schedules. 

It led to a split with the PGA of America.

And he has observed further tensions in the elite men's game with the creation of LIV Golf.

Player said it is "bad for golf" that there are now two main tours. 

And he believes any victory on either circuit should now come with an asterisk.