Gary Player opens up about Augusta National

Welcome to #GolfweekMastersSurveySzn.

The annual Golfweek Masters survey always gets to the heart of the matter. Leave it to Matt Kuchar to explain the joy of making the turn onto Magnolia Lane during the second week of April.

“I get goose bumps every time,” he said. “That turn down Magnolia Lane is like coming down the stairs as a kid at Christmas. You just know something awesome is around the corner.”

We spoke to past Masters champions, major winners, Hall of Famers and competitors past and present for this year’s edition. As an appetizer of sorts, we’re giving you a sneak peek into the questions still to come with the full survey of none other than Gary Player, the three-time champion. We had questions and he had answers. Our favorite?

Here’s Player explaining the best help he ever got from a caddie at Augusta National that helped him succeed.

“That was Nipper in 1961 when I beat (Arnold) Palmer to win my first green jacket. On the fourth hole, I had a six-footer for par. He said right lip and I thought left lip. We conversed and Nipper said, ‘If it’s not right you don’t have to pay me.’ So, I hit it right lip and it went in. We went on to win.” 

How about that confidence in the read from Nipper. With the Masters set to begin on April 11, we’ll be dropping new survey questions nearly on a daily basis so keep checking Golfweek.com for the best answers from more than two dozen pros. We’re confident you’ll be entertained and learn a few new things along the way about some of your favorite Masters competitors, including their picks to win this year.

Patrons watch the action on the course during the first round of the 2023 Masters. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Network)

Gary Player: The enthusiasm by the galleries and the fact that the tournament is played at the same venue every year. Augusta National knows how to make it better and better.

The green on the sixth hole is shown at Augusta National Golf Club, the site of the Masters. (Photo: Rob Carr/Associated Press)

GP: If the flag is on the front left at No. 6 and you push your ball to the top plateau, you might think you have three chances. But in reality, you have absolutely none.

Tiger Woods tees off on the 18th hole during the final round of the 2022 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Adam Cairns-Augusta Chronicle/USA TODAY Sports)

James Walls, 10, from Athens,…