Gary Player Blasts Chambers Bay: 'Might Be The Worst Golf Course I've Ever Seen'
(CBS) At 79, Hall of Fame golfer Gary Player's wit is quick as ever, his charm never-ending and his opinions steely like always.
And on Friday afternoon during an interview with the Spiegel & Goff Show, Chambers Bay Golf Course, where the U.S. Open is being held this week, drew Player's ire.
The course, in University, Place, Wash., has come under fire from players for a putting surface that's of poor quality, with green speeds changing from hole to hole and unexpected bumps on some. Some players have been upset with the layout, tee boxes and even long distances to walk from one hole to the next.
Those traits seemed to bother Player and so too did the fact that it's a public course that's not appealing to the average Joe.
"This might be the worst golf course I've ever seen in 63 years as a pro, and I'm shocked to see -- and I love the fact that the USGA picked a public golf course, I think that's marvelous because golf amongst the amateurs is going down, so we need to promote the game -- but if you guys ever see this golf course, it's a public golf course, and if you were a 16 handicap and had to play here Monday, you'd be lucky to shoot 40-over par," Player said. "They charge you close to a couple hundred bucks. We got to make golf courses that are public golf courses that are quick to play and people can play cheaply.
"And that's not what's being done here. And it's a tragedy. And this state has many, many fine golf courses. I can not understand it.
"It's like taking the British Open and putting and putting on an inland golf course. It would be a joke."
Player also harped on Tiger Woods and his decline.
"He's got paralysis of analysis," Player said. "He's so confused."
Listen to Player's full interview below.