What Happened to Wayne Gary Player?

Wayne Player, born to legendary golfer Gary Player, has carved out a public profile largely marked by controversial incidents rather than his own golfing career, which included playing in 17 PGA Tour events. His most significant troubles began to surface around the Masters Tournament, an event deeply intertwined with his family's legacy.

In January 2019, Player was arrested on charges of deposit account fraud in Columbia County, Georgia. This stemmed from a bounced check he issued for a house rental during the 2018 Masters Tournament. The homeowner reported the incident after multiple attempts to collect the $2,000 debt were unsuccessful. Player later stated he was unaware of the warrant until he was stopped during a layover in Atlanta. He spent five nights in jail, describing the experience as "five nights of hell." The fraud charges were eventually dropped after the homeowners were paid.

Adding to his legal woes in 2018, Player also faced a civil lawsuit from a client, Todd Feltz, who alleged Player failed to deliver on a $6,850 promotional package for the Masters, which was supposed to include tickets and a meet-and-greet with Gary Player. Feltz also claimed Wayne Player headbutted him during a confrontation, a charge Player downplayed as a "nudge." He pleaded guilty to simple battery, which was reduced to disorderly conduct, and paid a $300 fine. Player attributed the failure to deliver the package to escalating ticket prices due to Tiger Woods' resurgence.

The most high-profile incident, and the one with lasting consequences, occurred at the 2021 Masters. While caddying for his father during the honorary starters ceremony, which was notably honoring pioneering African-American golfer Lee Elder, Wayne Player engaged in an ambush marketing stunt. He positioned himself prominently behind Elder during his introduction, holding up a sleeve of OnCore golf balls, a brand that sponsored his father. This act was widely condemned as "tacky" and disrespectful, overshadowing Elder's historic moment.

Augusta National Golf Club reacted swiftly, revoking Player's tournament credentials and issuing a permanent ban from the course. Although Augusta National typically refrains from public statements on such matters, Player himself confirmed the lifetime ban in a 2022 interview with Golf Digest. He later revealed he sent an apology letter to Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley, but the club maintained its stance, stating, "we accept your apology, but we are not changing our position, we are not going to allow you back. You ruined a special moment in the history of the game of golf." As of April 9, 2026, Wayne Player remains banned from Augusta National. His father, Gary Player, has publicly supported Augusta's decision, stating, "a man's got to take his punishment."