Gary Player says McIlroy destined for career Grand Slam

INTERVIEW WITH GARY PLAYER

Gary Player is celebrating the 50th anniversary of completing his career Grand Slam.

He was the third player to win the Masters, U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship, and the first of the “Big Three” to do so. Jack Nicklaus won his a year later, in 1966, and Arnold Palmer never won the PGA Championship.

Now, as Rory McIlroy attempts to win the Masters and become the sixth player to have won all four majors, Player thinks it will happen.

“I’m not saying this week,” Player said Sunday before participating in Drive, Chip and Putt ceremonies near Augusta National’s clubhouse. “But Rory will win the Grand Slam.”

Player, who will turn 80 this fall, said golf’s landscape has changed.

“I think it was harder for Jack Nicklaus to win major championships than it was for Tiger (Woods),” Player said. “I think it’s been harder to win a golf tournament on the tour than when Jack Nicklaus played.”

Asked to explain, Player said: “Because we had more players who were more passionate and had the game, and under the pressure, to win the majors. They won not one, they won several.”

Player went on to say that a golfer must win six majors to be classified as a superstar.

“When I won the Grand Slam at 29, I said to my wife nobody will do that again,” Player said. “Nicklaus came along and did it at 26, and Tiger did it at 24.”

HISTORY LESSON

Bobby Jones won his Grand Slam in 1930 and announced his retirement from competitive golf later that year.

The following year, he started building his dream course in Augusta. The Augusta National Invitation Tournament soon followed.

Jones targeted 1930 because it was a Walker Cup year and he would be traveling overseas to also play in the British Amateur and British Open.

If he had failed to win either one, he might not have gone back until the Walker Cup was held on foreign soil again, which was 1934.

To read more about Jones’ career and his Grand Slam, visit golfhistory.augusta.com.

THE LIST

Tiger Woods has missed plenty of tournament golf during his career. With his return to action this week after a two-month layoff, here’s a look at his top five comebacks:

5 Early 2003: Woods missed the season-opening Mer­cedes Championships after undergoing surgery on his left knee in December 2002. He returned in February and won three of his next four starts.

4 Summer 2006: After the death of his father, Earl, Woods took a nine-week break and missed the cut at the U.S. Open. But he rebounded to win the British Open and PGA Championship.

3 August 2007: Ruptured his ACL while running but opted to finish the season. He won five of his final six tournaments of the season, including the PGA Championship.

2 2008 U.S. Open: Woods hurt his knee at the Masters that spring and had arthroscopic surgery two days after the tournament ended. Despite doctors telling him he needed surgery for stress fractures in his left tibia, Woods ignored their advice and defeated Rocco Mediate in a Monday playoff for his 14th major championship.

1 2010 Masters: After a personal scandal that came to light over Thanksgiving weekend in 2009, Woods took five months off and chose Augusta National for his return. He finished tied for fourth.