Play for love not money says Gary Player

Gary Player, the grand master of the Open championship, is calling on golf's wannabees to maintain the traditions of the game.

"I hope the young guys don't get too greedy," he said.

"They must not make money the main criteria.

"You look at players like Bobby Locke, Ben Hogan, Arnie Palmer and Jack Nicklaus and what they achieved.

"They weren't driven by money but an ambition to be the best. That is what matters.

"Golf is not a game, it is a disease, a wonderful disease. It spreads out and gives jobs and pleasure to a lot of people."

The South African veteran will make his 45th successive appearance in the Open when he tees off at Carnoustie on Thursday.

The course holds special memories for him as he won the second of his three championship titles here in 1968.

He rates his second shot to the 15th when "he hit it stiff" to tap in for an eagle three as probably the best shot of his life.

Player, whose exemption to the championship ends next year, also won in Scotland in 1959 at Muirfield and then triumphed at Lytham in 1974.

"It is a great thrill to be back at Carnoustie," he said. "This is a great golf course. I have never seen it in better shape."

But he expects scores to soar should the weather conditions worsen on the east coast of Scotland.

"This is going to be embarrassingly difficult, especially if the wind blows. A total of 300 could win it. People might think we are playing with hickory shafts."

Player believes that the Open is the one to win and rates it higher than the Masters, the US Open and the US PGA.

"Winning the Open is the ultimate test," he said. "In the other Majors, you don't have to conquer the elements.

"Thank God I never finished second. That's the one thing I would have hated."

He arrived at Muirfield 40 years ago, from South Africa, ten days before the event as he had been impressed by Ben Hogan's preparations for the championship.

However Player didn't quite get the reception he expected. He was told the course was closed and that he wouldn't be able to practice there. However, a sympathetic official took pity on him as he travelled such a long way and allowed him onto the course.

Player's meticulous build up paid dividends as he went on to win the championship.

From humble beginnings he has become one of golf's legends and will be sporting a traditional black outfit this week.

He has always worn that colour as he likes Westerns. "I love watching the cowboys with their black outfits, silver holsters and silver guns.

"I told my father I wanted to be the best player in the world. He said I better get a brand, you know a trademark.

"That's when I decided to wear black. My dad was a gold miner and earned 100 dollars a month at most. But he knew the value of a brand."

Player himself has always given good value on and off the course and is assured of a rousing reception on Thursday.