In a recent interview with the Daily Mail, golfing legend Gary Player spoke of his outrageous fitness as an 87-year-old, and also got social media chattering about his controversial view on the four majors.

According to the three-time Augusta champion, The Open is the most important of them all, with the Masters lagging behind. Indeed, he ranks, ‘the Open at one, the US Open two, PGA three and Augusta four.’

“It’s the youngest of the majors. The others are steeped in tradition and history, and they still have to catch up. Nothing comes to the top without time.”

As is a regular occurrence these days, Twitter Golf took to their laptops, with most responding to a tweet by @GolfLoverUK, stating,

‘I cannot believe there are more than 10 people in the world that actually think that is the order!’

Included in the replies were those from Players’ son, Marc, his father’s former manager who, last year, was accused by his dad, of the unauthorized sale of memorabilia belonging to Player Snr.

Marc came on to comment that his father had previously held the belief The Open, Masters, US Open and the PGA – a distant fourth – was “the correct order,” before tagging his comment with the word #dementia.

He has stated on record for the last 50 years that The Open, Masters, US Open & the PGA Championship a distant 4th was the correct order. Not sure why he suddenly changed his mind but don’t agree with this take. Especially the week prior to Augusta. #dementia 🍋🙊

— Marc Player (@Marc_Player) March 27, 2023

Recognizing the possible strained relationship, GolfLover then asked Marc about another change in view, this time surrounding LIV.

“I know things are fractious,” he wrote, “but just wondering if you know what is happening with him? He has changed his stance on this BUT also a huge change on Golf Saudi. He was a big supporter and now he is very much against it and LIV. Do you have any insight?!”

Thanks for that Marc – when things are ready for public consumption I know many of us would love to understand.

It feels like a shift has occurred with Gary recently and be good to understand.

— Golf Lover UK (@GolfloverUK) March 28, 2023

Perhaps the relationship with Augusta National has changed since the outrage at the 2021 Masters.

At the traditional ceremonial tee-shot, Players’ other son, Wayne, caused controversy when accused of guerrilla marketing, leading to Gary commenting:

“It was wrong. And I said to Augusta, ‘Listen, a man’s got to take his punishment. If he does something wrong and you don’t want him back here again, then just bar him. That’s what you go to do.’”

Ultimately, Wayne’s actions led to a lifetime ban from the Masters, with brother Marc calling the episode an “embarrassment.”

Clearly, whilst the elder Player may have an incredible playing record down Magnolia Lane – three wins, two runner-up finishes, one third, eight top-fives and 15 top-10s – he has changed his mind on the importance of the event, and it seems Marc will tell all when ready.

Article originally appeared on: Golfwrx.com