Having a Hall of Famer as a grandfather might seem like a dream come true, offering perks such as expert golf tips, connections with the elites of the sport, and even a guaranteed spot in prestigious events like the PNC Championship. This appears to be the case for most, including Jack Nicklaus’s grandson, GT. However, when the legendary Gary Player is your granddad, the reality can be quite different and even nerve-wracking.
While Player isn’t known for making his grandkids do extreme workouts like his infamous 1,000 squats, the challenge lies elsewhere. With a family that includes six children and 22 grandchildren—many of whom have connections to golf—choosing a single partner for the PNC Championship can become a delicate matter. Rotating among them isn’t a feasible solution for the nine-time major winner, especially as he approaches 90 years old. His solution? A competitive qualifier.
To decide who would join him at the PNC Championship, Player organized an 18-hole match among his grandchildren. This year, the stroke-play event took place at the Bear’s Club in Florida, with four of his grandchildren competing. Ultimately, Alex Hall emerged victorious, outperforming his cousins by an impressive seven strokes.
This unique approach sparked mixed reactions from fans. Some viewed it as an exciting and competitive way to determine the best player in the family. Others felt it might create unnecessary pressure among the grandkids. Fans also suggested it could make for entertaining television, with one commenter proposing that Player act as an on-course commentator. Alex himself admitted that the qualifier was the most nerve-wracking tournament he had ever participated in, which says a lot considering his past experience in high school State Championships.
Alex’s mother, Amanda-Leigh Hall, echoed this sentiment, describing the match as a nail-biting experience. Despite the tension, Alex shared his achievement on social media, and his family celebrated his success.
However, Player’s history with his family isn’t without controversy. Before Alex, Player had previously partnered with his son, Wayne, at the PNC Championship. Wayne, however, became infamous for earning a lifetime ban from Augusta National after promoting a new set of golf balls during a ceremony honoring Lee Elder. Additionally, Player has faced legal disputes with another son, Marc, and grandson, Damien. In 2020, Player won a lawsuit against Marc, who allegedly breached a contract by selling Player’s trophies in an auction, resulting in a $5 million settlement.
These incidents have led to criticism from fans, with some questioning whether Player’s family drama is overshadowing his legendary golf legacy. One fan noted that Player’s reputation might have been better preserved had he handled these situations more gracefully, rather than pursuing financial disputes. Team Player’s performance at the PNC Championship didn’t fare much better; they finished near the bottom of the leaderboard, trailing 18 strokes behind Bernhard and Jason Langer.
Gary Player’s competitive spirit and dedication to golf remain evident, but his family dynamics and controversial decisions continue to spark debate. Balancing his legendary status with personal challenges has proven to be a complex endeavor.