Gary Player’s New Love at 89: A Life Still in Full Swing

At 89, Gary Player is loving life with his new … girlfriend!

Gary Player, the legendary golfer who recently turned 89, is proving that age is no barrier to love or vitality. Known as much for his fitness as for his golfing prowess, Player’s disciplined lifestyle has clearly paid off—not just on the course, where he continues to outdrive fellow honorary starter Jack Nicklaus at the Masters, but also in his personal life.

“It’s wonderful. Boy, it’s changed my life,” Player said on Thursday, brimming with enthusiasm as he prepared to compete in the PNC Championship for the ninth time. “You’ve got to have love in your life. We’re all searching for it.”

Player, ever spry and in remarkable shape, works out four times a week and even demonstrated his fitness by slapping his abs to prove their solidity. As the oldest competitor in the field at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, he’s teaming up with his 16-year-old grandson, Alexander Hall. Yet, it’s not just the family bond on the golf course that has Player glowing—it’s a new partnership off the course, with New York native Susan Waterfall, that he was eager to share.

A New Chapter After Loss

Player’s journey to this moment has not been without heartache. A native of South Africa, he lost his wife Vivienne in 2021 after 64 years of marriage. For over a year, friends had been trying to introduce him to Waterfall, but their meeting didn’t occur until a few months ago, when Player was made an honorary member of Shell Bay Club in Miami. Their first encounter turned out to be memorable and heartwarming.

“I had people around the world trying to arrange for me to meet her. Never happened for a long time,” Player explained. “So when I did finally get to meet her, I thought she was wonderful. So I said to her, ‘I’m looking for an American girlfriend.’ She didn’t answer me. But two days later, she came back to me and said, ‘I’d like to be your American girlfriend.’”

The connection was immediate and strong. Now, the nine-time major champion—one of only five men to achieve the career Grand Slam—affectionately calls Waterfall “Susan Tsunami,” a nod to her lively and dynamic personality.

A Shared Passion for Life

Player is thrilled to have found someone who shares so many of his interests. “It’s a miracle because she loves golf. That’s first off,” he said. “She loves gym work, she likes opera, she likes reading. She likes eating the proper foods. Everything I like, she likes. It’s just unbelievable.”

Their companionship has brought a renewed sense of vitality to Player’s already full life. While he insists he’s not planning to remarry, he treasures the joy and energy that Waterfall has brought to his days.

“Well, to get a girlfriend at 89 … I was ready to settle for 90, but now I’d like to get to 100,” Player joked with his trademark humor. “I mean, I’m not to marry, but it’s nice to have a companion, you know? It keeps you young.”

The Power of Love

Reflecting on his new relationship, Player shared a poignant thought: “We’re darn lucky when we find it. You can’t live without love, and I just wish the whole world embraced that. Think how much better off we’d all be.”

With his enduring spirit, commitment to fitness, and now a fresh chapter of love, Gary Player remains an inspiration both on and off the golf course. For him, life at 89 is not just about staying in shape or setting records—it’s about cherishing every moment and every connection.