Legendary golfer Gary Player shares patriotic message at Masters: 'You should kiss the ground every day'

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Gary Player will never take his opportunity to play golf for granted.

The three-time Masters winner played at Augusta for the final time in 2009, 52 years after his first, and was named an honorary starter in 2012.

Once again, he, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson teed off to kick off the tournament, an honor also held by Arnold Palmer, Lee Elder, Sam Snead, Gene Sarazen and other legends.

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Gary Player of South Africa reacts after his tee shot in the Honorary Starters ceremony prior to the first round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

When kicking off the tournament once again, the nine-time major winner and South African native gave a patriotic speech, giving credit to the country in which he became a global icon.

"I never forget to mention this, but coming to this great country, the United States of America, if you are here, you are so blessed. You should kiss the ground every day, and just appreciate what this country has done for the world, not only for yourself, but it's about time America started doing more for their own," Player said after his tee shot.

Gary Player of South Africa plays his tee shot in the Honorary Starters ceremony during the first round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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"Well, obviously, having been here or associated with Augusta for 67 years and having come here for the first