Son of former Masters champion was given lifetime ban after 'ambushing' incident caused controversy

A tacky publicity stunt got the son of a Masters champion banned from Augusta. And the organisers of the prestigious tournament have refused to overturn the decision.

The incident took place in 2021, when former Masters champion Lee Elder – the first-ever black winner of golf's coveted green jacket – was being honoured prior to that year's tournament teeing off.

Wayne Player – the son of South African legend Gary Player, a three-time Masters champion – was alongside his father, Jack Nicklaus and Elder, acting as a caddie for a ceremonial event on the first tee.

As cameras flashed while club chairman Fred Ridley made a speech to honour Elder, Wayne Player held up a pack of golf balls in an attempt to publicise the brand.

Wayne Player (left) with his father Gary Player (right) (Getty)

In a 2022 interview with Golf Digest, Player says he wrote a letter to Ridley to apologise for this faux pas, but his apology fell on deaf ears and he is now banned from the famous course in Georgia.

"It said thanks but no thanks," Player said of Augusta's reply. "It said, you know, we appreciate you reaching out and apologising, 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.

"They say there’s no such thing as bad publicity, I found out that that’s not quite true."

Despite his Augusta ban, Player insists that Elder was not offended by his PR stunt. He claims he spoke to the late Master champions – who died six month after the event – to clear the air.

"I've got Lee's cellphone number," Player said. "I called and I said, 'You know, Lee, I love you guys.' You know, everyone said I was disrespectful for a special moment in time for Elder. I said I was sorry, and I didn’t mean to take up his special time.

"He said, 'Wayne, you know how much I love you. Right?' It didn’t cross his mind. That’s important for people to know.

"I don’t mind letting people know. To be completely transparent I think it is a cool story because you know, the (Augusta) National never really came out formally and said, 'Oh, we're, you know, not allowing Wayne Player to come back to the Masters.' They never ever said that to the media. That's just the way they do it. They don't say much."