Player denies loan claim

Johannesburg - South African golf legend Gary Player intends to oppose in court a claim that he owes R33m to businessman Dave King, his former best friend, Beeld reported on Wednesday.

King reportedly claimed Player had not repaid a $1m loan (about R10.1m) made 14 years ago. He was now claiming the money plus interest.

According to Beeld, he asked the Grahamstown High Court to seize shares in a horse stud farm, outside Colesberg, earlier this month.

King reportedly claimed in court documents that one of his trusts, Talacar Holdings, had a 49% share in the farm, and that Player owned the other 51%.

The court granted King an interim interdict and Player was expected to provide reasons why it should not be made final.

The newspaper reported that Player's lawyer, Rael Gootkin, had confirmed that he would oppose the claim.

Player reportedly said in a lawyer's letter that he had no loan agreement with King.