Tour Pro's Nick O'Hern and Mark Allen talk golf every week on Talk Birdie To Me. The latest news, issues, and stories from Australia and Worldwide. As two guys who played at the highest level internationally, they tell it like it is, and take you behind the scenes to get an inside look into the world of golf, and we always aim to chat with listeners.
Nick O’Hern reached #16 in the world rankings and is the only player ever to beat Tiger Woods twice in matchplay. Mark Allen is a former Touring Pro of 15 years - played a British Open at Carnoustie, and in his career has hit 12 hole in one's.....you can see the video of one of them here!
Together, this is their podcast - Talk Birdie To Me - coming to you live each week from Titleist and FootJoy Headquarters. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
A huge thanks to our Talk Birdie To Me partners:
Plus the watchMynumbers app and Southern Golf Club.
Follow Talk Birdie To Me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or TikTok. And see us on YouTube here.
Executive Producer: Kaizen Media.
Sound Design: Loud Zebra.
For enquiries click here.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tour Pro's Nick O'Hern and Mark Allen talk golf every week on Talk Birdie To Me. The latest news, issues, and stories from Australia and Worldwide. As two guys who played at the highest level internationally, they tell it like it is, and take you behind the scenes to get an inside look into the world of golf, and we always aim to chat with listeners.
Nick O’Hern reached #16 in the world rankings and is the only player ever to beat Tiger Woods twice in matchplay. Mark Allen is a former Touring Pro of 15 years - played a British Open at Carnoustie, and in his career has hit 12 hole in one's.....you can see the video of one of them here!
Together, this is their podcast - Talk Birdie To Me - coming to you live each week from Titleist and FootJoy Headquarters. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
A huge thanks to our Talk Birdie To Me partners:
Plus the watchMynumbers app and Southern Golf Club.
Follow Talk Birdie To Me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or TikTok. And see us on YouTube here.
Executive Producer: Kaizen Media.
Sound Design: Loud Zebra.
For enquiries click here.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A bonus pod today with two guests, Nick O'Hern and Mark Allen chat to Tom Fisher, Titleist's Global Product Line Director, Metalwoods and Irons, and Marni Ines, Titleist's Director of Product Development, Irons. We've got them on to chat about the new Titleist T-Series which are spectacular, so good that Mark's first time using them he shot 10 birdies in one round (we'll forget that he hasn't shot a birdie since....).
Tom and Marni tell us the biggest improvements in this series, and the process of testing....how do they do it, who does the testing? Mark is keen to do the next round and unsubtley tries to drop that in conversation. Understandably though.
Tom explains the Titleist 'Three D's' approach - which is distance, dispersion and descent.
Nick asks if many pros these days are using blended sets, and Tom gives the percentage - it's high, more than we'd expected! Tom explains why Titleist are big believers in blended sets saying that they believe your 3 iron should go the same height as your pitching wedge, and as your Driver,
This new Titleist T-Series has just been released, and you can arrange a fitting now.
We're live from Titleist and FootJoy HQ thanks to our great partners:
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We open today's pod discussing the magician who is Scottie Scheffler, he really is extraordinary at the moment and we discuss his performance at the weekend in the BMW Championship, and look at his stats. Just wow.
Speaking of BMW, this week we welcomed BMW on board as a major partner, Nick is driving an X5 - and can't stop talking about it after his trip to Cathedral at the weekend in it! And we have an update on our Talk Birdie Golf Day at Links Hope Island with a former star footballer telling Mark he's planning on coming with a whole bunch of friends. Tickets still available - all the info here for Wednesday October 8th.
Bob MacIntyre, Mark watched him speak to the media after round 3 and feels he made a rookie error in how he spoke, which bit him the next day when his round 4 started badly. Mark explains why, and tells a story from when he played in the New Zealand Open and did something similar. Very funny.
Our new segment - A Touch Of Class - starts today, for BMW, and the inaugural recipient is Sebastián Muñoz who wins it, not for his 59 at the weekend, but for something else. We explain on the pod. Which brings us to LIV and Rahm winning the individual title without winning a single event. Reasonable or ridiculous? Nick and Mark have a strong view. We discuss the LIV relegations, and Mark has an idea for LIV re: a Monday Q style structure which he explains to Nick.
Mark and Dan accidentally offend Nick over a comment re: an award that he won 2-years running. Ouch.
The Australian Amateurs. Mark suggests Golf Australia can do better, and outlines an idea that he feels would be perfect for the Mens and Womens Amateur tournament, leading into our Top 5 for Betr - where Mark lists 5 Australian courses that he feels could host the Australian Amateurs and look great on TV for overseas viewers.
A reminder of our Talk Birdie / Betr multi on the Tour Championship, it is one we feel is gettable. Scheffler to beat Rory, J.J.Spaun, Tommy and Justin Rose by 5.5, paying 7 bucks. Last weekend he beat 3 of them by more than that, and one of them by 5 - so this is a very gettable multi. Go to the Betr website or app, search Betr specials and the Talk Birdie multi is there.
PING Globals, lots to run through including a fantastic win from Richard Green! Feedback for Southern Golf Club, Nick and Mark share their fave Tiger story from the Steve Williams pod - if you haven't heard or watched it, well worth it. Lots of feedback on Steve's chat, some comments on LIV, plus a 'whack' for Mark from a wolfpacker who says Mark has 'offended' him.
And a cracking masterclass from Nick on the importance of sequencing.
We're live from Titleist and FootJoy HQ thanks to our great partners:
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Today we preview the Tour Championship this weekend in Georgia, and what a tournament it is shaping up to be with all the big names lining up.
Nick O'Hern and Mark Allen discuss the East Lake Golf Club course in Atlanta and the kind of players it will suit.
Mark can't go past Scottie Scheffler this weekend and can't see anyone beating him. We look at his stats. Unbelievable. The greens may play a role and Nick and Markl talk through that.
Afte the turn we frame a Betr multi - and this one is very gettable, although of course there is no guarantee.....but Nick and Mark run through the power rankings and come up with a Talk Birdie To Me multi exclusively on Betr which is:
Scheffler to beat Rory, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and J.J.Spaun by 5.5 shots. And on Betr they are giving us 7 bucks....so shorter than usual, which is because it's a red hot chance. Betr is the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia, if you don't have an account, it takes one minute or so - search Betr specials on the app or website and the Talk Birdie multi is there.
Remember to gamble responsibly.
We're live from Titleist and FootJoy HQ thanks to our great partners:
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A massive pod today for two reasons. Firstly, we welcome a new partner on board - BMW, who have a long and proud history with golf, and we're rapt to be partnering with them on Talk Birdie To Me. BMW provides you with the luxury and comfort you need after a day on the course.
Secondly we have a very exciting guest today, the man Nick O'Hern named as the most famous caddy in history in last weeks Top 5, Steve Williams. Steve's pedigree needs little introduction, he has caddied for some of the biggest names in golf and achieved enormous success. Today's chat is fascinating, wide-ranging and transparent.
Steve talks about many things:
And much more. A fascinating chat with a guy who has had a front row seat to some of golfs biggest moments.
We're live from Titleist and FootJoy HQ thanks to our great partners:
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In the main pod earlier in the week we read a message from Tour Pro and wolfpacker Paul Moloney who had heard Mark talking about being blown away by seeing a 21-year old Tiger Woods could do when he played the 1996 Australian Open. Paul played with Tiger in part of that tournament, and whilst we couldn't get hold of him in the main pod (something about being in a meeting, we reckon he call screened us) we got him to buzz through today.
Paul tells us about playing with Tiger and watching him close up, saying in reference to Tiger's Club Head speed that 'it was quite incredible'. He talks through some of Tiger's club selections and how they were different to the other players, and how he felt that watching Tiger in that tournament felt like it was a moment in history. And we find out what Paul is up to these days post his career as a Tour Pro.
Then onto some comments and feedback. Wolfpacker Matthew has messaged to let us know that he is listening in Spain, and has just finished playing Club Golf D'Or. Sheez Matthew, way to make us very envious!
Adrian has a question about the Australian Masters.
Voicemail comes in from Anthony who asks about pathways for young players, Mark tells us a story about Max Charles and Ludvig Åberg at Texas Tech.
And wolfpacker Geoff, who is from Melbourne but is presently travelling in the US with his wife, has sent some rake photos in from Idaho that he reckons should end the rakepod discussion for good.
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Big pod today, we kick off with an update on our Talk Birdie To Me Golf Day at Links Golf and Wellbeing at Hope Island on the Gold Coast. Wednesday October 8th is the date, tickets have, in less than 2-weeks, nearly 50% sold out so if you'd like to come, all the info is here.
Mark's excited about his cousin Steve having another win over the weekend, it's great to him doing so well, and Nick points out that Steve Allen has now joined an elite group of Aussies on the Champions Tour and explains why. Mark tells his favourite Peter Thomson story, it's a ripper.
Obviously Justin Rose had a great win at the weekend, and in the end deserved it. However, Tommy Fleetwood is the subject of our chat. Nick says it was touch to watch, and Nick and Mark discuss the mental challenges he is facing. Mark explains how caddies play an important role to calm their players and focus them. Both the boys rave about J.J.Spaun's swing, and about the putting in the tournament from a number of players.
Nick has an idea for the Tour Championship, he isn't a fan of the playoff system currently, and explains to Mark his idea. We discuss Rickie Fowler and sponsor invites. Mark tells the dodgy story of Carlos Franco and his 'charity'.
The Ryder Cup. The Europeans are looking good, Nick and Mark discuss the big call facing Keegan Bradley.
Nicks Top 5 today is his most famous caddies in the world, given on Monday we chat with Steve Williams - where does Steve rank?
Lots of feedback - IBF, the ball rollback, the international feed, Tiger in Australia, and more. Nick takes us around the world with the PING Global results, and Marks masterclass today is bombing a big drive but ensuring it doesn't go left (as a righty). ** apologies for the masterclass audio, Mark is trialling a new mic, and the settings need a slight tweak **
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Hold everything.....today's feedback pod gets off to a bad start when, just prior, Nick O'Hern decides to do some stretching but doesn't consider the angle that Mark and Dan have of his 'parts' when he is doing the stretches. Very nearly derails the entire pod. Some things cannot be unseen.
But, like triathletes, or footballers in a big game, we push through the pain and hook into the pod. We start with a wolfpacker suggestion of a few great Irish courses that you can play on a budget. And then a question about putting tips in cold weather.
Craig from the UK has a question for Nick and Mark about the angle of attack using his persimmon - and Mark has an idea to do a side by side comparison of a persimmon club vs the latest drivers from Titleist and PING for example.
Comment about Jordan Spieth getting relief and the left handed vs right handed chat from last week.
Our search for the identity of the Mad Greek on YouTube continues, he or she is yet to out themselves but a couple of wolfpackers have a thought on who they might be. One suggestion is Terry Pilkadaris, and Mark tells a great story about Terry as a young golfer.
David is a new listener to the pod, and loves the idea of the Talk Birdie To Me golf day on the Gold Coast at Links Hope Island (details here), however is unable to make it and suggests a golf day in Victoria where he lives. We like it. If you can make the Gold Coast, tickets on sale now - we'll be there at Links Golf and Wellbeing at Hope Island on Wednesday October 8th. Short clinic, light lunch, shotgun start tournament with Talk Birdie par rules, and then a buffet dinner, few stories from Nick and Mark and we'll do some questions live at the event from anyone who wants to chat with the boys.
Whilst we're discussing the Gold Coast golf day - Nick is horrified by Dans pronunciation of 'buffet' as 'buff- et' and Mark's pronunciation of 'champagne' as 'sham-pag-knee'. Clearly a disconnect between the working class Mark and Dan, and the hoity toity Nick O'Hern.
Back to questions. Does Nick get a sponsor exemption if he wants to play the WA Open? Wolfpacker Sandy asks what is going wrong with Australian Mens Golf....the women flying, the men less so. Mark and Nick have some solid views on how to address the issue.
And we wrap with a question about Tiger, and his swing and coaching changes. Timely, as later this week we'll chat to his former caddy Steve Williams, which we're looking forward to very much.
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Well after Mark was in shock last week that Nick O'Hern had not found time to watch Happy Gilmore 2, homework was set. Nick (and Dan) both had to get up to speed....no excuses....and watch it.
What was the verdict? We find out the entire Talk Birdie To Me teams views of Happy Gilmore 2, we rate our fave cameos, we discover if Nick and Mark are about to have a rib muscle removed to get more distance, we hear some of your thoughts - and who was very famous actor in the movie who Mark completely was oblivious to!
And we end with our patented Talk Birdie To Me choc top ratings for the movie.
Warning - this bonus ep has spoilers, so if you haven't yet seen the movie, and plan to, maybe hold off on listening to this episode.
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Fun pod today. Nick O'Hern and Mark Allen kick it off by discussing our reworked set - still at Titleist and FootJoy HQ but in a different space.....a change is as good as a holiday. Speaking of holidays, tickets are selling well for our Talk Birdie To Me Golf Day at Links Golf and Wellbeing on the Gold Coast on October 8th, after being on sale for about 5-days, nearly a third of the tickets are sold, so the day will sell out - we'd love to see you there, tickets available here.
We discuss the domination of the Asia Pacific region in womens golf at the moment, with a new number one in the world in Jeeno Thitikul, and Nick and Mark discuss why they are dominating. Work ethic is a clear standout reason according to the boys. Nick suggests getting Jan Stephenson on the pod as a guest. Steph Kyriacou played well in tough conditions at the weekend, and one particular shot involving her was extraordinary, we discuss.
And the retirement of a legend. Ian Baker-FInch, what a career, Nick and Mark love what he has done and how good he is. Although missing the discussion about IBF due to the international feed being delivered into Australia was very disappointing - Mark has had enough and says 'we are missing so much' by being given the international feed. Nick says Jim Nance is the best in the business, and he's one that he wants to hear, rather than the international feed team.
In the chat about IBF we also find out that Mark is a tight-arse. And we discuss who might replace IBF, Frank Nobilo the consensus choice from Nick and Mark.
Cam Young, a great win at the Wyndham Championship in North Carolina, and a fantastic final round (after a tough first hole) to win his first ever PGA tournament. We discuss that final round. Nick is reminded of playing this tournament and described it as the greatest cut he ever made, and tells the story of why.
Update on Royal Melbourne's preparation for the Australian Open. It's good news, and Mark is pleased to have heard it and to pass it on.
Last week we had a voicemail from wolfpacker Tom in Arizona, and Mark decided to give Tom some homework - this is what the podcast has become, we're giving homework to wolfpackers, we really are quite disgraceful. Nonetheless, Tom delivers in spades with a ripping Top 5 desert courses in Arizona, with rationale for each. During the turn, Mark has been on google looking at Tom's number 1 course, and he decides that he needs to visit Arizona to play it. We'd like to be in the room when Mark asks his wife for permission to fly to Arizona to play a round of golf. Onto the Top 5, Mark lists the 5 things that The Australian Open needs to have implemented to make it as good as it can be, and as good as it used to be.
Breaking news - next week we'll have a bonus pod chatting to Steve Williams, former caddy of Tiger, about his new book - and he will personally sign a copy to one wolfpacker. How do you win? Well we want your questions to ask Steve, what would you like us to ask on your behalf? We'll choose three and put all three to Steve, and Nick will vote on the best question to win the signed book. Let us know on socials, or message us through the Talk Birdie website here. Our bonus pod with Steve will be later next week.
Nick runs through the PING globals from the weekend, and we have plenty of feedback to run through. Amongst other things we talk ball fitting, equipment evolution, blades vs hollow clubs, and a couple of suggestions for other players who didn't live up to their potential.
And a reminder that later this week we'll do our review pod on Happy Gilmore 2!
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After hearing Nick O'Hern and Mark Allen talking about Links Hope Island last week and the story of Michael Long calling a penalty on himself, giving Ernie Els the win, Tour Pro Scotty Laycock had a further couple of stories to share, and left a voicemail.
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A feedback pod today where we read through a bunch of your questions and comments.
We start with a couple of comments on Cam Smith following Nick and Mark's chat last week on his form.
Last week Mark listed his 'Irish Bucket List' courses, and we've had a big reaction with people suggesting other courses in Ireland to play, and saying that he needs to extend his trip to get them in. Leads to a chat about Tour Pro Eamonn Darcy who Nick played with a couple of times. And then we have a voicemail from Tom in Arizona with some thoughts on Irish courses, and Mark gives Tom some homework - he'd love Tom's Top 5 'desert courses'.
After the turn, a comment from wolfpacker Mad Greek on unposrtsmanlike behaviour on tour, he outlines some poor behaviour he witnessed....and then we try to figure out who Mad Greek is. He sounds like he was a Tour Pro, but we're unsure who....time to reveal yourself Mad Greek !
Dale has a comment on wolfpacker Fezz from last week who doesn't like giving shots back to the course (Fezz plays of +1). Dale disagrees with Fezz and calls him a clown.
David has a question about a young golfer in the US who was disqualified last week after his caddy threw his hat in the air to check the wind.
And Kiwi Lad Welly, who caddied for Mark in New Zealand, has written in about a time he reckons Mark might have felt like breaking his fingers (after last weeks chat on golfers breaking fingers of caddies accidentally). Mark tells us about that tournament where he was playing with John Senden and recalls a moment where he made a poor shot that hit a tree, turned around to see John laughing at him.
Another voicemail, this one from James in Sydney on blending irons in his bag, wants to know if he should look at doing this given lots of pros seem to be.
And Nick has a question on the setup of Bethpage for the Ryder Cup.
Finally, we've locked it in. Our first ever Talk Birdie To Me golf day at Links Golf and Wellbeing at Hope Island on the Gold Coast. Limited tickets, shotgun start, par rules, plus a light lunch , and a buffet dinner - along with Nick and Mark speaking , telling some war stories, and lots of fun. It is on Wednesday October 8th, starts around 11.30am or so, first tee-time 12.30. If you can make it we'd love to see you - tickets and more info here.
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Massive pod today, and we start with a bit of news that Nick and Mark have heard from an industry insider who is very high up in the golf world, about the new ball that is being developed and due in 2028. It is currently in testing and apparently the testing has not gone to expectations, with the results being far from ideal. Longer hitters with high launch and low spin aren’t impacted much, whereas the shorter or midrange drivers are impacted - not the intended outcome.
Onto the golf. Nick and Mark discuss Lottie Woad, what a superstar this young lady is going to be, winning her first tournament after turning pro. Nick likens her swing to Scottie Scheffler, not the swing itself but after impact. We have a look.
Mark loved watching Sunningdale again with the ISPS Handa Senior Open, saying it looked stunning, and reminded him of Royal Melbourne. Nick played Royal Melbourne at the weekend and said whilst the course isn't in tournament shape yet, it is looking better than he expected it would.
Mark talks about greenkeepers being 'mongrels' on swap days. Mark had a tour of the Huntingdale redevelopment at the weekend and said it is 'spectacular'. Nick gives an update on the Long Island development at The National.
Nick has launched a new website with some friends - he has criminally ignored his Talk Birdie friends....I guess we all know where we stand now. Awkward. But the website is basically a place to buy and sell second-hand, quality golf gear - it's brand new, still a couple of bugs, but worth checking out here - GoGolfer.com.au.
We discuss the video where Trump was caught cheating at golf (again!), Mark isn't convinced he was cheating this time and explains why, although he says his caddy is clearly very experienced at helping Trump cheat.
After the turn, we chat Happy Gilmore 2. Mark is horrified that neither Nick or Dan have watched it yet, Mark loved it and on our patented movie ranking system gives it 4 choc tops out of a possible 5 choc tops rating. Mark sets homework for the team to watch the movie and wants to do a review pod next week.
Nicks Top 5 is on the best ever debuts as a pro...where does Lottie Woad rank, does she make it?
And then we chat to David Hogben, the boss of Links Golf and Wellbeing on the Gold Coast about our Talk Birdie To Me Golf Day idea. We workshop it live, and come up with:
We'll work on the details over the next 24-hours and let you know on our socials.....but looks like we're on for the Gold Coast.
Lots of feedback today, but we stick to the comments on Scheffler and how many majors he'll win - plenty of other feedback that we'll hold until later in the week, as the pod is running overtime today, and we don't want to lose our podcast license.
Nick takes us through the PING Global results, Mark predictably whinges about the music even though it's his fault. And a cracking masterclass from Mark on pros warming up using their alignment stick and how they are using it differently to what he is used to.
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Another feedback pod today, we're getting plenty of comments and questions so keep them coming.
We start with a comment from Timothy in reference to our 'hardest opening holes' conversation last week, with a great (ie. funny) story about playing at Latrobe in front of a crowd and what happened.
Then a voicemail from Paul in Wollongong with a question on grip pressure.
Jamie wants to know why a US players caddy was refused entry into the UK for The Open Championship due to a 30-year old drug charge, yet Ryan Peake was allowed in given his more recent, and more serious, issues.
And we have an update on our conversation late last week about a potential Talk Birdie To Me Golf Day on the Gold Coast where we want to get together with the Talk Birdie Wolfpack and have a comp, and a get together.....it is looking promising.
Phil has a comment and question on the 1996 Australian Open in Sydney where Mark played, and a question about his home course in Newcastle.
And finally today, Adam from Ballarat has a Top 5 suggestion - the Top 5 players who had great potential, but didn't live up to it. Nick and Mark answer it live on the fly.
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Nick and Mark always enjoy your feedback and questions, and we've got some rippers today,
We start with a message from Timmy, who has sent in a video of his swing and is after some tips on where he can improve, and he has a question around a soft or firm grip.
Aitken has a question about whether, if it was an option 30-years ago, Nick and Mark could have played LIV in Asia and qualify for majors via OWGR points, they would have done so in order to remain Australian based rather than move to America.
Jeff has just discovered the podcast and watches on YouTube, he has given Marks pre-shot routine from a few weeks ago a crack and has seen a real improvement in his game - great news!
And we've been hearing the ads , and seeing the ads, for Links Hope Island over the last couple of weeks which has given us an idea. We've been talking, and we've had a few suggestions from wolfpackers also, about doing a Talk Birdie To Me golf day of some kind. Maybe a Talk Birdie tournament where wolfpackers can play, Nick and Mark play, Dan might even have a crack (massive hack) and we put a feed on, have a catchup, a live Q&A, few stories - and Mark, as the only member of the team who has played Links Hope Island, reckons that would be a perfect place to do it.
There's only one slight challenge we've not run it by the Links Hope Island team, so it might go pear-shaped....but we'll try to get the boss on the pod, and see if we can convince him that it's a good idea.
Okay back to the feedback. Message from Jonathon about playing in bad weather, which leads to a Mark story about the legendary Peter Thomson - it's a ripper. Message from Matt who played with 9-year old Jasper in the Rossdale Open, and got absolutely rinsed.
Damian has a question for Nick about his Top 5 finishes from last week, he reckons Nick missed an obvious one, and Mark doesn't miss a chance to use Grok again....he has an addiction to Grok, it's quite ridiculous, and Grok proves on this occasion to be completely useless.
And we finish with a question from Fezz about amateur golfers and handicaps.
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Well we called it. Scottie monstered the field in The Open Championship.
Okay, we didn't call it, in fact our Betr multi was a bust on every leg....we will make formal apologies at some point on today's podcast, you deserve nothing less.
But.....Scottie was magnificent, and controlled the tournament, certainly over the weekend, and we start today with Nick and Mark discussing some of the most impressive parts of Scottie's performance: his putting, his recovery from poor shots, his composure. Exceptional. Nick says the player interviews post the tournament and prior to the final day reminded him of when he was playing and Tiger dominated, in that everyone felt that they were playing for second place, Scottie was that good.
Then Mark makes a big call on Scottie and how many tournaments he will win, Mark doesn't believe he will win over 10 majors in his career, as he feels that his footwork will limit him at some point. Nick disagrees, and says Scottie has plenty of years left and will get to double figures.
Nick talks about playing with Harris English who he said was exceptional then, and now, and highlights what the weakness in Harris' game was when he played with him. Mark raises the Ryder Cup and says that surely Chris Gotterup is a certainty to be picked now, Nick says no.
We discuss the Aussies. A poor tournament overall, with Marc Leishman the only one to make the cut, ultimately finishing T52. Mark raises Cam Smith, and his consistent poor performances in the majors, and says that whilst LIV has been great for Bryson's game for example, it has not been good for Cams, and he just has to start hitting fairways. Nick comments that Brysons performance at the weekend was very strong after a terrible first day, and Mark predicts that we will see Rahm have a 'cracking' 2026 season and explains why.
Both Nick and Mark loved how Royal Portrush looked, Mark is desperate to play it. Nick loved the drone shots. And we discuss how on the hardest hole on the course, Scottie birdied Calamity 3 days of the 4....Mark would like a plaque to be placed there to commemorate it.
Then we apologise for our Betr multi, although Nick notes one leg would have come off were it not for Shane Lowry's 2-shot penalty, Mark wasn't aware of it, so we play the audio and discuss. But one person does win, wolfpacker Narelle Brunotte was drawn as our winner - she had a punt on our Betr multi and whilst the multi was a dismal failure, Narelle has won 250 bucks to spend at the Golf Clearance Outlet...congrats Narelle!
Mark lists his Top 5 courses in Ireland that he'd like to play, has he missed any obvious ones?
As you'd expect, the PING global results today have a big focus on The Open Championship, although we do digress for a moment with a video that contained an unusual sound.....we play the audio, and if you're watching on YouTube you will see the Shepmates take on it....very funny. During PING globals, Nick tells a great story that has come out of an Australasian Q-School in the US at the weekend.
Feedback - lots of comments on last weeks Top 100 World Golf Course List with Jasper from the Top100 organisation, and plenty of comments - some in support, and some not - on LIV seeking OWGR points.
Nick's masterclass today is inspired by Scottie Scheffler and looks at why aiming for the middle of the green is more effective than aiming for the pin.
A fun pod today, and a feedback one to come later this week which we're looking forward to!
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Voicemail from Mick in the UK who has some strong opinions about LIV golfers and whether they should receive OWGR points. You might agree with Mick, you might disagree. Love to hear your feedback in the comments.
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A feedback pod today, we start with a question from wolfpacker Ross on The Shark vs Rory. Michael asks about blades on tour these days. Ed has a nomination for the Top 5 injury comebacks list from last week who he believes we overlooked. And a suggestion for a Top 5 on 'unsportsmanlike' actions on the tour, we kick it around.
We chat about pros breaking their caddys fingers. Apparently it happens a bit, and we hear about one time it happened and who did it, and Mark tells a story about when he nearly broke his caddys fingers.
And Greg has a suggestion for the Top 5 Aussie golfers to never win a major.
Then, after the turn, we chat with one of the honchos at the Top 100 World Golf Course list, Jasper Miners, about the list. Nick O'Hern and Mark Allen put their concerns to him, and ask for the names of who voted on the list. Jasper explains how it was constructed, what he feels are the strengths of the list and the areas it needs improvements. He talks about the country and world rankings not being aligned, and how he is working to address that. He also talks about how many on the judging panel have played the courses.
Mark asks Jasper if Mike Clayton or John Huggan are involved in the voting, and for visibility over the names. Jasper gives his view on the ranking of St Andrews Beach over courses like PK North and South, and others, and whether he would have voted in that way.
A good chat, love your thoughts.
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Grace Kim. What. A. Star.
That was really one of the great finishes in a major, Grace was so calm, cool and collected and nailed the win. Nick and Mark discuss the tournament, obviously the final day in particular and what they loved about Grace's performance - the recovery after hitting it into the water, the chip shot, so much to be impressed with. Mark asks if anyone has ever hit three eagles on day 4 to win a major? He can't recall it happening. And Mark notes that credit must go to the PGA and Golf Australia, particularly Karen Lunn, in their development of the womens game in this country.
Mid chat, the fire alarm at Titleist and FootJoy HQ goes off....there is a possibility we may not survive and this could be the last pod ever.....but, crisis averted, it's only a test. Phew.
Back to the Evian. Obviously the big story is Grace Kim, however Mark loved how well Gabi Ruffels played, and he tells Nick his favourite thing about her development as a golfer.
Another exciting result this week was Mark's cousin* Steve Allan who went wire to wire in New York to win on the Champions Tour, a popular winner, and Nick and Mark loved it.
Nick raises Marks round at Kingston Heath at the weekend, he had a cracker....10 birdies in the first round with his brand new Titleist clubs, he talks us through the round and explains where it went well, and when he got nervous and had a couple of tough holes.
We had young Jasper on the pod a week or two ago, he played in an under 10's tournament in Sydney last week and won by 34 shots ! Sheez....
If you've not jumped on board our Talk Birdie Multi with Betr, 14 bucks for Scheffler to miss the top 10 at The Open Championship, into Lowry to beat Rory, into Fleetwood to beat Bryson. Head to the Betr website or app, search for Betr specials and you'll find it there - takes 2 minutes to set up an account, and you send us your bet, a screenshot, we'll choose one wolfpacker to win 250 bucks to spend at the Golf Clearance Outlet ! Nice.
After the turn, we read the release from the OWGR on the LIV application for OWGR points. Should LIV players get points? And if so how many? Love your thoughts. Nick and Mark believe they probably should, but with limits.
Inspired by Grace Kim, Nick's Top 5 counts down his best ever finishes in a major to win a major. And in feedback, as you'd expect, a heap of comments on Grace's win. Plus we get clarity on who the Liver King is, and a comment on UK crowds.
Plenty for Nick to run through in the PING global results, obviously the Evian the big one, but lots of other golf over the weekend. And a great masterclass from Mark on chipping.
We're live from Titleist and FootJoy HQ thanks to our great partners:
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It's the week of The Open Championship, or the British Open, depending on how you say it. Before we get to that though, we have to touch on Grace Kim's fantastic win, we'll go through it in great detail on tomorrow's main podcast, but we had to acknowledge it today given how incredible the win was, particularly the finish!
Onto The Open. Nick and Mark discuss what Royal Portrush is like, how it plays, and how well one of the players they like this week - Shane Lowry - plays this course. Mark is concerned about Rory given the undoubted media attention he'll receive. Can Jason Day win? He could, but Nick and Mark don't believe he is playing well enough at the moment; however they do like Ryan Fox this week.
Mark feels that this tournament may be Adam Scott's last chance to win a major. Nick disagrees. Predictably, Mark is bullish on Sepp Straka, knock us over with a feather, who'd have seen that coming. Nick disagrees (again), saying whilst the course suits Straka, he doesn't rate his chances. Mark says Morikawa is no chance as he is hitting the ball terribly at the moment.
And Mark names the player that he would love to win the tournament (hint, it's not Straka). And Nick explains why he believes Scheffler might struggle this week.
We run through a bunch of other players and how they might go, including Nick and Marks tip for the winner, and their roughie.
And, given it's a major, we've got our Talk Birdie To Me multi on at Betr. Two legs a reasonable chance, one a bit riskier, but that gets the odds up a little further, we'd love you to get on board at Betr if you have an account, and if not, it takes a moment or two to set up.
Here's the multi:
1) Tommy Fleetwood to beat Bryson
2) Shane Lowry to beat Rory
3) Scheffler to miss the Top 10
Paying 14 bucks. Remember, there's no guarantee you'll win, it's just a bit of fun, so if you can't afford to lose it, then don't bet it. But it's a fun one to whack 5, 10, 20 bucks on. You can find the Talk Birdie To Me multi on the Betr website or app under 'Betr Specials'.
See you tomorrow when we go in depth on the amazing Grace Kim result on the main pod !
We're live from Titleist and FootJoy HQ thanks to our great partners:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week we have a bit of fun, we've invited Australia's longest driver Jordan Bovalina into the Titliest / FootJoy simulator at Talk Birdie To Me HQ to see what he's got in the tank. Nick and Mark are interested in how he goes about hitting the ball, what he's looking to do to obtain distance balanced with accuracy, and we look at his numbers live in the simulator as he hits a few balls.
The audio version is great - the video version of this one has to be seen to be believed.
We're live from Titleist and FootJoy HQ thanks to our great partners:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
