The 77-year-old South African, who won nine majors in a glittering career, saw his Gary Player Design bid shortlisted to design the Olympic course. 

But Hanse Golf Course Design, the American company founded by award-winning architect Gilbert S. Hanse, was ultimately selected from an eight-strong shortlist, which also included Greg Norman and Jack Nicklaus, just over a year ago but Player admits he still feels very frustrated at being overlooked.

"I just felt I could've done more for golf in Brazil in the future than will be done," said Player on a visit to Brazil.

"I would have come back here many times and promoted junior golf, would've brought tournaments here such as the Gary Player Invitational.

"Those were ideas we had but we lost, that's fine, you move on.

"The thing that upset me for not getting it was the fact that I've been to Brazil so many times.

"I've played in tournaments here, met so many people and I thought that would count but it didn't.

"There is obviously a lot of politics in these things so you move on.

"We were very optimistic and we did a very good presentation but there's politics in everything now.

"You just have to be maybe more clever; I don't know.

"We spent a lot of money, a lot of our own money.

"I've been traveling for 60 years and I've been to all of these countries that are involved in the Olympic Games.

"I just felt that I would get it and they give it to a man who is - well - I don't want to say anything.

"I just felt it was an advantage for us.

"That's what I thought but I was wrong, move on."


But despite missing out on the chance to design the golf course, Player says he is still delighted to see the sport return to the Olympics at Rio 2016 following its last appearance at the Games in St. Louis in 1904.

"I'm so excited about Brazil getting the Olympics and having golf in the Olympics, which is bigger than my personal feeling," he said.

"Golf is bigger than my personal feeling; your country is bigger than your personal feeling.

"It will be very nice and it will be a successful Olympic Games in this country."

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