That’s a penalty stroke on Gary Player for going out of bounds.
The 90-year-old golf legend made a shocking remark about Sky Sports’ Anna Jackson looks before an interview during Wednesday’s Par 3 event at The Masters, the New York Post reports.
“How are you guys?” Player said toward the camera crew, according to golfmagic.com.
“No wonder you’re smiling working with this good-looking chick, eh …”
Jackson, who also works for Golf Channel and NBC, didn’t let the unwanted remark faze her.
“OK, well, Mr. Player, what an introduction that is,” Jackson continued, per the outlet, before asking the South African how he’s feeling.
It created an awkward situation that some on social media panned, resulting in some X users labelling him a “creep.”
Player is a constant at The Masters, having first participated in the event in 1957 and emerging victorious at Augusta National three times in 1961, 1974 and 1978.
He became the first non-American to win The Masters with that 1961 triumph, and the third golfer — and first non-American — to achieve the career grand slam in 1965.
Player attended the Champions Dinner Tuesday night, one of 33 attendees and then finished tied for 13th by shooting 1-over par in the Par 3 contest, which is a nine-hole contest in which players’ families often serve as caddies.
“Always love being at the Par 3 Contest, what a special tradition,” he wrote.
Player purportedly praised himself during his interview with Jackson.
“Well, I’m 90 years old and I’m still shooting par,” he told Jackson, per golfmagic.com. “I’ve had three birdies already — it’s a thrill for me.
I’ve been coming here 68 times, back to when one of my heroes, President Eisenhower, was here. To still be playing at this age, having seen Bobby Jones and all the champions who have come and gone, is a very special gift.”
Player then kicked off the four-day tournament Thursday with a ceremonial tee shot alongside Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson.
This story originally appeared in the NY Post and was reproduced with permission.
Originally published as Golf legend Gary Player sparks backlash over ‘creepy’ remark to female reporter
