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Player sends condolences following Westner's death

Cape Town - South Africa's greatest ever sportsman, Gary Player, has sent his condolences following the death of fellow former golfing professional, Wayne Westner.

Westner committed suicide on Wednesday morning. He was 55.

According to police reports, Westner took his own life after a hostage drama involving his wife at his home on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast.

According to News24, police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Thulani Zwane said that officers had been called to the Gwala Gwala Estate in Rahle Road, Pennington on Wednesday morning.

"It is alleged that Westner and his wife were busy in the process of relocating to Johannesburg.

"Westner arrived at the residential unit on the estate and forced his way in. He was armed with a handgun and allegedly shot himself through the head in front of his wife," Zwane added.

He said that Westner’s body was removed to the KwaZulu-Natal Medico-Legal Mortuary (MLM) in Park Rynie for a post mortem examination.

Westner was best known for winning the South African Open in 1988 and 1991 - on both occasions at Durban Country Club - where his power and prodigious length off the tee enabled him to use a 1-iron to navigate his way around the notoriously tight layout.

He won 14 professional events, including two European Tour events, as well as the 1996 World Cup of Golf at Erinvale Golf Course in Somerset West, alongside Els.

His career was cut short through injury in 1998.

Player, a 9-time Major winner and a 13-time SA Open champion, took to Twitter to express his sadness at the news.

"Vivienne, my family & I are saddened by the news of the tragic passing of Wayne Westner & send condolences to all his family & friends. RIP".

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