"They're going to come out like LeBron" - Gary Player predicts the 30-year future of professional golf

During the recent PNC Championship, Gary Player was asked for his opinion on the future of golf 30 years from now. Player is one of the living legends of world golf. His professional career spans more than 60 years and his numerous achievements in the sport make him a more than authoritative voice when it comes to assessing the present and future of the sport.

The man known as the "Black Knight" described a future in which players will achieve things never seen before, saying (via Golf Digest),

"The incentivization, all the prize money they play for now, and with the ball going so far, and the metal heads, and these guys now, at college... When I started weight training in pro golf, they all said I was a nut. Even my best friend [Arnold] Palmer and Nicklaus said to me 'you cannot do weight training and play golf.'

"These guys, like, they're going to come out like LeBron James. They're going to drive all the par fours, there'll be no more par fives, they'll drive all the par fours, and you'll see things like you've never seen in your life." [0:06]

---

A look at Gary Player's professional career

Gary Player began his professional career in 1953 and remained a full-time player until 2009. However, he still makes sporadic appearances in professional events such as the PNC Championship.

Player is one of the most successful players in the history of golf. During his career, he won 159 events worldwide. His 24 wins on the PGA Tour include nine majors. He was also a standout on the Sunshine Tour, where he won 20 times.

The South African is one of only five players to complete the career Grand Slam, having won all four majors on the PGA Tour. Player won the Masters Tournament three times, in 1961, 1974, 1978, and The Open Championship also three times, in 1959, 1968, and 1974, the PGA Championship twice, in 1962 and 1972, and the US Open in 1965.

Player was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974, long before his playing days were over. He was part of the institution's inaugural class, joining 12 other legends in Walter Hagen, Ben Hogan, Bobby Jones, Byron Nelson, Jack Nicklaus, Francis Ouimet, Arnold Palmer, Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead and Harry Vardon.

In 1986, Player made his debut on the Senior Tour, now the PGA Tour Champions, where he won 22 events, ranking him seventh all-time on the circuit. Nine major championships stand out among his senior triumphs.

Player did not limit himself to playing in America and South Africa. Throughout his career, he signed victories in Europe, South America, Asia, and the PGA Tour of Australasia.