Gary Player Clashes with Clifford Roberts: Masters Highlights

Mo. Basuony

Published: April 9, 2026 8:23 AM ET

Gary Player Clashes with Clifford Roberts: Masters Highlights

Gary Player spent Wednesday morning inside Augusta National’s clubhouse. He recalled a 1960s encounter with chairman Clifford Roberts.

The clubhouse conversation

Player said he, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer thought the fairway grass was too long. They picked Player to speak with Roberts about lowering the mowers.

Roberts, a co-founder with Bobby Jones, replied curtly. He told Player the mowers were already set as low as possible.

Player’s formal complaint ended there. He added that a few Masters later the fairways were cut shorter.

Player’s place at Augusta

Player is a three-time Masters champion. He will hit a ceremonial opening tee shot on Thursday to start the 90th Masters.

He also mentioned playing golf with President Eisenhower. Player described Eisenhower as having an aura and charisma.

Player said the tournament evolved quickly and that the Masters is part of him. He voiced positive feelings toward the club.

Masters highlights and facts

14 — Consecutive winners who entered the Masters ranked inside the top 25 of the Official World Golf Ranking.
Charl Schwartzel was No. 29 in 2011. He was the last winner ranked outside the top 25.
151 — Consecutive weeks Scottie Scheffler has been No. 1, beginning May 21, 2023.
Tiger Woods had the longest No. 1 streaks. He logged 281 weeks from 2005 to 2010, and 264 weeks from 1999 to 2004.
7 — Number of times the top-ranked player won the Masters since the OWGR began in 1986.
Top-ranked champions include Ian Woosnam (1991), Fred Couples (1992), Tiger Woods (2001, 2002), Dustin Johnson (2020), and Scottie Scheffler (2022, 2024).
70 — Forecasted high for Thursday’s opening round.
84 — Forecasted high for Sunday’s final round.
0 — No player has won the Par 3 Contest and the Masters in the same year.