Gary Player predicts a six-time PGA Tour winner without a major title will complete the Grand Slam. The 90-year-old golf legend's statement is considered one of his most audacious yet.
Key points
Gary Player predicts a six-time PGA Tour winner will complete the Grand Slam
Player is 90 years old and a legendary golfer
He has 159 professional wins and nine major championships
Mentioned in this story
Gary Player
Photo by Kenny Smith/Getty Images
Photo by Kenny Smith/Getty Images
Gary Player has made some truly remarkable statements in his time.
However, Player’s latest prediction takes the biscuit as one of his most outlandish to date.
The 90-year-old South African is one of the greatest golfers to have ever graced the game, with 159 professional wins to his name, including nine major championships.
With a résumé like that, it’s no wonder why Gary Player is so outspoken when it comes to so many different topics pertaining to the professional game.
The South African obviously knows what it takes to succeed at the very highest level of the game. He is one of only six men to have completed the career Grand Slam.
Player responded when asked which player who currently doesn’t have a major win to his name has the ability to complete the career Grand Slam.
Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
“I think, Rickie, but he also needs to have a swing change,“ Player suggested.
*“*It’s getting better, but there’s certain things that all the superstars did when they swung the club, which I’m not gonna discuss with you.
*“*Unless you do that, you are struggling to win major championships without doing it.
*“*And he needs to change his swing. It’s getting better, but he needs a big change in his swing.
*“*And it’s frustrating for me to see that nobody’s teaching them to do this, because so many of the coaches today are teaching some very crazy things.
*“*If you look at how many players, just think of how many players today. That have won majors that are not winning tournaments anymore.
*“*Many major winners are not playing well anymore, and it’s because they’re not swinging the club right.
*“*There are certain theories that you have to apply. Everybody’s different, everybody has their own way of doing it, but, you know, people criticize Scottie Scheffler. He’s got a great swing.
*“*If you look at the fundamentals of Scottie Scheffler’s swing, they are fantastic.
Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images
Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images
“So, you know, it’s a very frustrating thing for me having been around Ben Hogan, who was so, so meticulous, and so brilliant.“
Player suggesting that Rickie Fowler could complete the Grand Slam while insisting that he needs to completely change his swing really is a strange stance.
Where is the actual logic in that? I get that Fowler has huge potential, but he’s 37 now. It really would be a major shock if the American won more than one major championship before he retires, let alone the career Grand Slam!
What Gary Player was referring to regarding what all superstars did with their swings
Player has made it very clear in the past that he simply cannot stand golf swings with the clubface laid off at the top.
In simple terms, that means the clubface is in a strong position, pointing at the sky.
Gary Player firmly believes that the key to success is having a neutral clubface at the top of the swing.
Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Player himself and Scottie Scheffler are just some of the big names whose clubfaces were in a neutral position at the top of the swing.
Player has previously criticized the likes of Arnold Palmer and Jordan Spieth for having ‘shut’ or ‘closed’ clubfaces at the top of their swings.
He believes that while that move can bring quick success, it is not the way forward when it comes to longevity.
Rickie Fowler’s clubface has always been laid off at the top of his swing, and it will be very interesting to see whether he takes on board Gary Player’s advice.
