Gary Player is the most inspirational influence for South African golfers. For Trevor Immelman, that inspiration is a little more personal than others.

SOUTH AFRICAN IDOL: Gary Player holds 5-year-old Trevor Immelman. "I really owe him a lot for all the advice he's given me," Immelman says of the support form the nine-time major winner. (Special)

Player has been a hands-on influence to Immelman ever since the nine-time major winner literally scooped him up in his arms when he was just 5. That chance encounter blossomed into a lifetime relationship that continually crossed paths at critical junctures of Immelman's developing career.

"He kind of kept an eye on me and would always send me little notes," Immelman said of his mentor . "If I was at tournaments that he was playing in he would give me some time and answer my questions. When he designed a course in my home town I would see him when he did site visits. Then when the course opened I played the first round with him. Our paths crosses every couple of years and then obviously again at Augusta."

Something about Immelman struck a cord with Player. Perhaps it was the young man's strong and compact stature that resembled the fitness advocate's famed physique. Perhaps it was the determination that Immelman exuded from the earliest stages of his career.

"He was an incredible junior player," Player said of Immelman. "I saw it when he was a junior. Even when he was a young baby and I picked him up in my arms, he was an enthusiast then."

Even among the many South African stars with major talent, Immelman became a focus of Player's grooming.

"I think great leaders breed successors and I see that with Mr. Player," said Mark Immelman, Trevor's brother and swing coach. "I can see him thinking my time as South Africa's leading player is coming to an end and we need to have someone in the wings over here. And he's taken a shine to Trevor. They have a lot of things in common. Similar build. Similar desire. He's been great to Trevor."

One of the things that Player sees most in Immelman is a swing that reminded him of another legendary champion.

"He's always had a such a magnificent golf swing," Player said. "I always thought Ben Hogan was the best striker of the ball I ever saw. And (Immelman) swung the club the closest to Ben Hogan I've ever seen anybody swing it. Yes, the closest. I've never said he was the best golfer in the world because obviously Tiger (Woods) is. But for years I've said he had the best golf swing in the world. I still say that today. He's got to understand and believe that himself. It's no good me saying it. He's got to believe that."

That is an endorsement that often makes Immelman blush -- high praise that carries with it a certain amount of pressure.

"As much as it was a compliment, there's also a lot to live up to," Mark Immelman said. "Ben Hogan is one of the legends of the game and being compared to him is difficult. Trevor deals with it very well. He takes it with a pinch of salt."

AUGUSTA DEBUT: U.S. Public Links champion Immelman played a practice round with Player and Ernie Els before the 1999 Masters Tournament. Immelman made the cut and finished 56th. (File)

"Sometimes it's a little embarrassing for me," Immelman said of the praise from Player. "I don't see how I could ever be compared to Ben Hogan. That's his opinion and what he says and sometimes it makes me a little uncomfortable. That's just the way he is. He's enthusiastic and if he believes in something he gives in a 100-percent attention. He's been so great to me in my career and I'm so fortunate to have a legend of the game in my corner."

Player has especially been in Immelman's corner since the young star stepped onto the world stage . When Immelman qualified as an amateur for the 1999 Masters Tournament, it was Player who welcomed him with a practice round. Then it was Player who generously buoyed him when they played together with Steve Stricker in the first two tournament rounds.

Immelman said he was "petrified" when he stepped to the first tee, but Player was quick to throw an arm around his shoulder and offer words of encouragement.

"Mr. Player, I'm so nervous," the 19-year-old Immelman said.

"Don't worry, Trevor," the 63-year-old Player replied. "So am I."

It was a highlight moment in Immelman's career as he went on to make the cut.

"That day in particular ... obviously, I was very nervous, but Gary was great. He really was," Immelman said "With the rules of golf he can't coach me around the course. But he was very polite and very accommodating and tried to make me feel comfortable."

Six years later, Player provided another major boost to Immelman's career. His faith in Immelman's talent led Player to select him as a captain's pick for the 2005 Presidents Cup team. The choice raised eyebrows from critics crying partisanship, but it also raised Immelman's belief in himself.

"That goes without saying it was a huge honor," Mark Immelman said. "I believe Gary overlooked Geoff Ogilvy and a couple of other players who were ahead of Trevor in the world rankings list. That was special but Trevor came through for him. If a great person shows some faith in you it does up your confidence a little bit. And golf is very much confidence. Mr. Player is such a positive and motivational guy and he's good for Trevor. I'm sure it helped."

The next season Immelman went on to beat Woods to win the Western Open and earned PGA Tour rookie-of-the-year honors. Player had the vision before anyone else.

"There's so much going on it's understandable that people don't see these things," Player said. "But I could see the writing on the wall that this young man was so talented."

Player saw it again last April. After missing the cut, he was headed to Abu Dhabi on Sunday. But he left a message the night before on Immelman's cell phone to help prepare him for the most important round of his career. It would not be smooth sailing, he warned. He would have to handle adversity in the form of weather and nerves and challengers including the No. 1 player in the world. He would have to keep from peaking too soon on his putts.

Most of all, Player told Immelman that he believed in him and all he had to do was believe in himself. The voicemail raised goose bumps for Immelman.

"I took that all to heart," Immelman said. "I really owe him a lot for all the advice he's given me."

His success was Player's reward. When the legend landed in the Middle East, he instructed the pilot to find out the Masters results before they reached the terminal. And he immediately phoned the champion.

"I was very proud of him," Player said. "I said I've been telling you for a long time what a wonderful golfer you are and I wasn't dreaming. I think having played for 55 years as a pro, I could see if he was going to be good or not. And I said now you've got to start believing it yourself. I got very choked up."

Reach Scott Michaux at (706) 823-3219 or scott.michaux@augustachronicle.com