Gary Player's Augusta comment makes Green Jackets cringe - Martin Dempster's Masters Diary

Scotsman golf correspodent Martin Dempster brings you his latest Masters Diary from Augusta National...

Player makes Green Jackets cringe

He’s made a habit over the years of making the Green Jackets cringe - and Gary Player has done it again!

Replying to being asked what would be the one change he’d made to the Augusta National course, two-time winner Tom Watson replied: “I’d fill in the creek on No 12.”

Speaking in the Press Building, he added: “That's the critical hole on the golf course and I think everybody in this room understands that.”

Three-time Masters champion Gary Player talks to the media at Augusta National on Thursday | Augusta National

Player got off to a good start when he said it was a great example of how golf holes don’t need to be long to be a good hole before adding: “That’s an 8-iron - it's crippled more people than polio!”

Fred Ridley’s 50-year love affair

It’s been a week of big anniversaries and the man who effectively runs the show is also on that list.

Back in 1976, Fred Ridley played in the Masters as an amateur and, 50 years on, is now the chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the tournament.

“Well, I can certainly say that I did not think 50 years ago this week I'd be sitting in this chair, that's for sure,” he admitted. “I have a lot of great memories of that week.”

Playing with Jack Nicklaus, for instance, and meeting Clifford Roberts, one of the event’s founders. “It was the start of a 50-year love affair I've had with this place, and it's been a big part of my life,” he admitted.

Photographer caught on camera

Dornoch-based photographer Matthew Harris found himself at the opposite end of a camera on Wednesday night.

Instead of taking a photograph, he was the one having his picture taken as he received the PGA of America Lifetime Achievement Award in Photojournalism.

Harris was honoured during the Golf Writers Association of America Annual Dinner, which was held at Augusta Country Club.

He joined world No 1 Scottie Scheffler (Player of the Year) and 2020 Women’s Scottish Open champion Stacy Lewis (Jim Murray Award) in picking up a prize.

Rory McIlroy’s menu gets rave reviews

Rory McIlroy’s Masters menu tasted every bit as good as it sounded.

“Like his golf game, Rory's menu and wine selection were world-class,” observed Fred Ridley of the Champions Dinner, which McIlroy attended for the first time as last year’s winner.

Others in attendance gave it the thumbs up as well. “It was fantastic,” declared Tommy Aaron, the 1973 winner. “The entire spread was as good as any dinner we’ve had.”

Steak and salmon were the options and, as expected, it was a no-brainer for Sandy Lyle. “Steak, of course,” said the 1988 champion, having spoken in the build up about the cows on son Quintin’s farm in Perthshire being a Wagyu beef breed.