ORLANDO, Fla. — At 89 years old, Gary Player is a strong advocate for love, asserting that one should never go through life without it. He joyfully revealed exciting news at the PNC Championship: he has found a new girlfriend.
“I said I wanted to live until 100. Now if I live to 91, I’ll be happy,” he chuckled. “It’s incredible that at 89 you can find a girlfriend. She shares my passions—golf, fishing, gym workouts, reading, opera, everything.”
Her name is Susan Waterfall, who lives in New York and is 83 years old. Player lost his wife, Vivienne, in 2021, after 64 years of marriage.
Interestingly, Player wasn’t actively looking for a relationship. Friends at a fundraiser in South Africa suggested meeting someone, but it didn’t pan out. While in New York for golf course design, her name came up again without any connection. Finally, at a Miami golf course opening where he was an honorary member, fate intervened.
“While I was on the putting green, this lady came up to me and said, ‘I’m Susan Waterfall. Everyone has been trying to introduce us,’” Player shared. “I put my arm around her—she’s stunning—and said, ‘I love America so much. I need an American girlfriend.’ She blushed and didn’t say much, so I quickly added, ‘Will you have dinner with me?’”
After calling her two days later—where she stepped out of a board meeting to answer—he invited her to go fishing in Scotland at Gleneagles.
“She’s quite wealthy,” he continued. “I told her, ‘Listen, Susan, I don’t need your money. I’m rich as well. But if you happen to die before me, you can leave me a little something.’”
Meanwhile, Nelly Korda is getting into the festive spirit early, as her younger brother Sebastian prepares to head to Australia for the Open tennis tournament. She will also be taking a trip to the mountains for some adventurous dog sledding.
“I’m thrilled for that experience, which I’ve never had before,” Korda exclaimed. “I adore the mountains and snow, so I’m looking forward to recharging my batteries. I skied as a child, but I don’t ski now—I’m already fragile enough.”
True resting will happen after the start of the new year.
Korda had a spectacular season, achieving seven victories and being named LPGA player of the year. She won twice in Florida early in the season, with a break during the first Asia swing and returned to claim victory in her next four outings. She’s decided to skip the early Asia swing again and will not be back until competing on the West Coast.
In another highlight, the Crypto.com Showdown featured top golfers from both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. The match, which pitted PGA stars Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy against LIV stars Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, was meant to attract golf enthusiasts. However, viewership numbers were disappointing, with only 625,000 tuning in across two networks. This marked one of the lowest ratings for the “Match” series.
Fred Couples, who tuned in rather late, admitted he only just found out it was airing after receiving a text from his caddie. “It was pitch dark and freezing,” Couples said, reflecting on the matchup. “I don’t understand why they’d schedule such a big event in those conditions, but nonetheless, I thought it was entertaining.”
Another notable announcement was Ron Price’s upcoming retirement from the PGA Tour after being a significant part of its operations for several years. He held various positions, including chief operating officer and chief financial officer, influencing essential financial aspects like the FedEx Cup bonus program and player equity plan. Known more internally than publicly, Price was thrust into the limelight when he briefly took over for Jay Monahan during a turbulent time involving the controversial Saudi-backed LIV Golf.
As the holiday season unfolds, many tournaments are announcing their charitable contributions, with the Western Golf Association proudly declaring that this year’s BMW Championship in Colorado raised an impressive $10.2 million for the Evans Scholars Foundation. Since returning to its WGA roots, the event has increased its charity impact, while the Wells Fargo Championship raised $5.9 million in its final year before transitioning to a new title sponsor, Truist.
Other exciting updates include the PNC Championship’s successful start, with PNC Bank confirming an extension of its title sponsorship through 2032. Additionally, the Epson Tour has scheduled 20 tournaments for 2025, totaling $5 million in prize money and introducing three new events. Fred Couples is set to fulfill a nostalgic role by introducing players at the Skins Game next year, returning to a tradition where he was known as “Mr. Skins.” Meanwhile, the TMRW Golf League has secured international broadcasting deals ahead of its global launch next month.
The PNC Championship boasted that ten of its twenty participating professionals have held the world No. 1 ranking at some point in their careers.
In closing, Korda reflects on the past year, stating, “I don’t try to compare my seasons. While it’s easy to make comparisons, I’m truly proud of what my team and I have accomplished. Each year is a clean slate, and I’m eager for more.”
