Published>Wed, Jul 14 10 12:52 PM
Monte Burke, Forbes.com
Gary Player is one of golf's greats. The 74-year-old South African, nicknamed "The Black Knight" for his on-course wardrobe, won 165 professional events and has earned $14 million in his 57-year career. He is tied for fourth on the all-time major-winner list with nine, and accomplished a career Grand Slam on both the PGA and Champions Tours. Player has recently concentrated more on golf course design (he has more than 300 to his credit), raising Thoroughbreds and writing. His latest book, out in early June, is Don't Choke: A Champion's Guide to Winning Under Pressure.
Throughout his public life Player has never been shy about speaking his mind. We caught up with him to talk about his book, his career, performance-enhancing drugs and, of course, Tiger Woods.
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Forbes: What was your best career moment?
Player: It is very difficult for me to point to one single moment in my career, because there have been so many wonderful memories, but I consider winning the career Grand Slam on the PGA Tour and Champions Tour my greatest on-course accomplishments.
The worst?
The 1969 PGA Championship in Dayton, Ohio was a tough one for me, not because I lost, but because some of the people at the tournament believed me to be something that I was not. The opposition to Apartheid was vicious in the USA, and being a South African, I was immediately considered to be a racist white man who supported Apartheid.
While I played people were throwing ice in my eyes and telephone books on my back during my back swing, and throwing balls through my legs when I was putting. They were charging me on the greens when I was about to putt, and screaming as I took the putter back.
I had police protection escorting me around the golf course, even when I had to go to the bathroom and had lunch at the clubhouse. It was difficult for me to be viewed as an Apartheid supporter when I was not, and was actually trying to find ways to bring my country together, not split it apart.
In 2007 you were outspoken about the possible use of performance-enhancing drugs in professional golf. Some say the attention garnered by those comments led directly to the PGA Tour's current testing policy. Do you think some players are still using PEDs?
I spoke out because I felt strongly about the dangers of PEDs and the damage their use could do to the sport that I love. PEDs are horrible and do far more harm than good, and I am happy that the tours worldwide have implemented testing policies. It is important for the game to remain above reproach. I am not aware of any individuals who are using PEDs, although it is impossible for me to say that none are.
Who is the best golfer of all time?
My friend Jack Nicklaus is the best ever to play the game.
Do you think Tiger will beat Jack's record?
Eventually, yes, Tiger will surpass Jack's record. His mental toughness, more than his physical abilities, is what will allow him to break the record.
Your book is about performing under pressure. Why do people choke?
There are two reasons: Not being fully prepared, and letting doubt or negative thoughts enter your mind. When I played I practiced relentlessly, ate a healthy diet and exercised every day. Knowing that I was in top mental and physical condition gave me a lot of confidence, and I never worried about getting tired or worn down during a tournament. That removed doubt from my mind.
Letting negative thoughts enter your mind will guarantee failure. I remember when the weather was rough I'd hear others in the locker room say how horrible it was and how they hated playing in the rain and wind. Right then and there they had lost the tournament, because they set themselves up for failure. I told myself that I loved playing in the wind and rain and went out and played with a positive mind-set.
What's the best piece of advice in the book?
To take both golf and life as a one-shot-at-a-time philosophy. If you are able to see hard times as a chance for growth and deeper meaning, you will arm yourself with the most powerful mental weapon: optimism and the power of positive thinking.
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