Golf may be considered a gentleman’s game – but it descended into scandal in 1983 following the inaugural Skins Game tournament.

Tom Watson, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer took part in the big-money four-ball exhibition event held after the PGA Tour concluded.

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Using a match play format, each hole had different monetary values, with an individual banking the cash if they produced the lowest score.

In the case of a tied hole, then the “skin” would roll over until someone won, meaning they would pocket a large sum.

And that was the case on the 17th hole at Desert Highlands in Scottsdale, Arizona, when Player won $150,000 of the $360,000 total prize money.

It was the biggest payday of his career and, for context, the jackpot for winning the Green Jacket at The Masters was just $90,000 at the time.

After birdieing the 17th, an elated and almost speechless player said on the green, “I’m getting more choked up than when I won the US Open.”

But what followed became one of golf’s most controversial moments, with Watson, who birdied $120,000 on the 16th, accusing his rival of cheating.

With Nicklaus and Palmer out of the running on 16, only Player stood in Watson’s way as the South African lined up a chip shot to save the par at the long par-three, which he made from eight feet.

However, Watson said Player moved a leaf that was nestled behind his ball, allowing him to land a clean shot to carry the “skin” to the 17th.

Watson’s assumption was that under the Rules of Golf the Player could not play the leaf because it was not a free impediment and could not be removed, the latter taking the opposite view.

After the end of the round, Player came out on top with $170,000 and Watson at the bottom with $10,000.

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An interaction between the two following the event on a fairway behind the 18th green was heard by Dave Anderson of the New York Times, with Watson accusing Player of foul play before adding: “M -I’m tired of this”.

Joe Dey, the former PGA Tour commissioner who acted as rules arbiter for the event, was present during the exchange and begged Anderson not to run the story, which he did.

And in the public eye, the landscape changed drastically from a light-hearted tour to serious allegations of cheating.

After the incident became public knowledge, Watson reiterated his view that Player, who was also accused of cheating at the 1974 Open, had given himself an unfair advantage.

Quoted by Washington Post in a telephone interview at the time, he said: “What I saw was a violation.”

He then claimed Player bent down and touched the green, before delicately chipping his second shot on 16 down the green.

Watson stated: “As we saw, he was moving a blade of weed right behind his ball so that he could have a clear path to the ball for his club face.

“I know the leaf was rooted because it went back to its original position.”

He added: “Whether the player ignored the rule or tried to improve his line of play is something that is in his heart. We’ll never know.

“I didn’t sleep much last night because I was thinking about it. I know this is a barrel of dynamite.

“I know how reputations can be damaged. There are probably even people who will think it’s sour grapes.”

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Watson continued: “I challenged Gary on this. I asked him if he didn’t know the rule (Rule 17-1). What it boils down to is his word against me.”

The player strongly denied the accusations thrown at him, as he told the Association Press: “I think there was a misunderstanding. He was under the impression that I had moved a leaf from the ball and I assured him that was not the case.

“Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and I left it. I’m very surprised to hear that someone wrote about it.”

Watson later stated, “If we overlook the rules, then the game as we know it would become something much less than it is.

“My biggest regret, however, is that this private matter has become a public incident.”

More than 40 years later, the infamous incident on the 16th hole remains a hot topic among fans.

If only the cameras were locked on Player, then fans would finally know the full truth.