"The main thing that's missing for young African-American players is training," said Lee Elder, the first black to play in the Masters. "We need some kind of academy or training ground that will support minority golfers who want to take their games to the highest level."

The Players says golf needs Tiger not so much for his flair for the dramatic or captivating skill, but more for the color of his skin.

"We need Tiger Woods. Why? He's a man of color. We need a black champion," Player told Omnisport at the Berenberg Gary Player Invitational in Virginia Water, England. "Go to Africa, where we've got all these young black kids used to seeing a white guy as the champion. Now they're getting inspired; they're sitting in front of their TV sets. It inspires them; it gets them interested in golf.

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Gary Player  July 22, 2015