Golf may be considered a gentleman’s game – but it descended into a scandal in 1983 following the inaugural Skins Game tournament.
Tom Watson, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer took part in the big-money four-ball exhibition event, which was held following the end of the PGA Tour.
Using a match play format, each hole held different monetary values, with an individual banking the cash should they produce the lowest score.
In the event of a tied hole, then the ‘skin’ would carry over until someone won, meaning they would pocket a hefty sum.
And that was the case on the 17th hole at the at the Desert Highlands in Scottsdale, Arizona when Player scooped $150,000 of the $360k total prize money.
It was the biggest pay day of his career, and for context, the jackpot for winning the Green Jacket at The Masters was just $90k at the time.
After putting a birdie on the 17th, a delighted and almost speechless Player said on the green: “I’m choking more than when I won the US Open.”
But what followed became one of golf’s most controversial moments, with Watson, who stood to win $120k on the 16th, accusing his rival of cheating.
With Nicklaus and Palmer out of the running on the 16th, only Player stood in Watson’s way as the South African lined up a chip shot to save par on the long par-three, which he did from eight-feet.
However, Watson declared that Player had moved a leaf which was nestled behind his ball, allowing him to get a clean strike to carry the ‘skin’ over to the 17th.
Watson’s assumption was that under the Rules of Golf, Player couldn’t tinker with the leaf as it wasn’t a loose impediment and couldn’t be removed, with the latter having the opposite view.
Following the end of the round, Player had come out on top with $170k, with Watson bottom of the leaderboard with $10k.
An interaction between the two following the event on a road behind the 18th green was heard by the New York Times’ Dave Anderson, with Watson accusing Player of foul play, before adding: “I’m tired of this.”
Joe Dey, the former PGA Tour commissioner who was acting as rules referee for the event, was present during the exchange and begged Anderson to not run the story, which he did.
And in the eyes of the public, the landscape drastically changed from a light-hearted tournament to serious allegations of cheating.
After the incident became public knowledge, Watson reiterated his opinion that Player, who was also accused of cheating at the 1974 Open, had given himself an unfair advantage.
Quoted by the Washington Post in a telephone interview at the time, he said: “What I saw was a violation.”
He then claimed Player had bent over and touched the leaf, before delicately chipping his second shot on the 16th onto the green.
Watson stated: “As I saw it, he was moving a leaf of a weed right behind his ball so he could have a clear path to the ball for the club face of his club.
“I know the leaf was rooted because it popped back up to its original position.”
He added: “Whether Player was ignorant of the rule or was trying to improve his line of play is something that lies within his heart. We’ll never know.
“I didn’t get much sleep last night for thinking about it. I know this is a keg of dynamite.
“I know how reputations can be damaged. There are probably even people who will think this is sour grapes.”
Watson continued: “I challenged Gary on it. I asked him if he was ignorant of the rule (Rule 17-1). What it comes down to is his word against mine.”
Player strenuously denied the accusations thrown his way, as he told the Association Press: “I think there’s been a misunderstanding. He was under the impression that I moved a leaf from the ball and I assured him that was not the case.
“Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and I left it at that. I’m very surprised to hear that someone wrote about it.”
Watson later declared: “If we overlook the rules, then the game as we know it would become something much less than it is.
“My greatest regret, though, is that this private matter became a public incident.”
Over 40 years later, the infamous 16th hole incident remains a hot topic amongst fans.
If only cameras were locked on Player, then fans would finally know the full truth.
