The Golf Insiders

02/22/12 The Golf Insiders

Holly G and Rich Bianco are in the studio talking about the dramatic finish of the Northern Trust Open. Bill Haas beat Phil Mickleson in a playoff. Sergio Garcia also did well to finish 4th. Bob Harig, ESPN.com, kicks off the show talking about the finish at the Northern Trust Open. Thought that Phil should have left himself with 100 yards because he is one of the best from that distance in on the PGA Tour.  But he chose to hit 3 Wood and the rest is history. Holly and Bob talk about the early success of Phil and how that may help him heading into the Masters. They also talk about Keegan Bradley’s success at the Northern Trust Open and a great start at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship is underway today.  The WGC is set up completely off the world rankings with the top 64 players. Minus two players who chose not to compete but both are replaced. Todd Lewis, The Golf Channel, calls in to the show to talk to Holly and Rich about the excitement of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. How Wednesday and Thursday matches are so exciting.  Todd feels that the Europeans are more experienced with match play and that may be why the last two years the winners have been from Europe. Todd talks about the short game and great putters are favored at this match play event. You can check out Todd on The Golf Channel or online at www.golfchannel.com Both Bob Harig and Todd Lewis both pick Charles Schwartzel as one of the players to be in the finals. Follow Bob at espn.go.com/golf/ Jeff Shain from the Orlando Sentinel talks to the duo about the WGC.  They also talk to Jeff about the upcoming Florida Swing and the Honda Classic having Tiger Woods for the first time. You can follow Jeff at www.OrlandoSentinel.com or you can Tweet him @jeffshain. Holly talks to GolfSmith’s Dan Watkins about some of the new products that have just come out like the new adjustable clubs which are selling well. TaylorMade’s RocketBallz, Callaway, Cobra, etc. Also big are the new things are the forged wedges. GolfSmith also offers custom fitting.

02/15/12 The Golf Insiders

Holly G and Rich Bianco are in the studio talking about the finish 0f the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Championship. Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in to kickoff the show and talks to the team about Phil Mickleson’s win at the AT&T Pebble Beach. The up and down nature of Phil’s game made it surprising how he came back on Sunday. The fact that he was playing Tiger was an added bonus even though Tiger was in the hunt Sunday morning but ended up finishing 9 back. Bob talks about how Tiger drives the sport and nothing evokes interest like Tiger. Bob shares that the event was the highest rated golf event at Pebble in the past 15 years. “None of the stuff that Phil might have picked up from Butch Harmon about Tiger doesn’t help him unless he makes the shots, and he did.” Big Ten Match Play Championship, hosted by The Concession Golf Club in Sarasota, Fla., was recently won by Northwestern for the third year in a row. Jeff Shain, Orlando Sentinel, joins the duo and talks about Jessica Korda’s win on the LPGA Tour.  Jeff talks about the young players who are making a name for themselves on the LPGA Tour. Jeff also talks about Corey Pavin’s win on the Champions Tour and his incredible shot on No 14 to save par.  The Florida Swing on the PGA Tour is right around the corner with the tune up to the Masters. Vartan Kupelian from PGA Tour.com and Global Golf Post calls in and discusses Tiger’s Sunday downfall and the bigger issue of Tiger’s game … his mental game.  Vartan feels that it’s not just ball striking abilities or putting that is his problem. Tiger used to dominate everyone and his aura enabled him to win. Players feared his abilities and now they don’t.  On the flip side Phil Mickleson is playing some of the best golf that he’s played in a long, long time. Todd Lewis, the Golf Channel, wraps up the show talking about the Sunday dual between Tiger and Phil. The Golf Channel’s coverage Sunday early coverage was the most watched of any event on the Golf Channel.  Todd feels that Tiger is searching for the confidence that he had a huge amount of before. Todd comments on the fact that Phil now has 40 wins and feels that it is going to be a long time before someone will match that mark.

002/08/2012 The Golf Insiders

Holly G calls in from The Concession Golf Club in Sarasota, Fla. while Rich Bianco handles the show from the studio. The Concession, Jack Nicklaus signature golf course in association with Tony Jacklin, is hosting the Big Ten Match Play Championship Feb 10th and 11th. The event will broadcasted on Big Ten. ESPN.com’s Bob Harig calls in from Pebble Beach to talk about Tiger’s return for his first event on the PGA Tour of the season. Bob reports that the 3 courses the players are playing on this week at Pebble Beach are in great shape and Tiger is playing in this event for the first time in 10 years. Tiger’s iron play is been pin high which is what he is looking for and what Bob feels put Tiger in position to win at Abu Dhabi. Bob also commented on the fact that Tiger has not played enough competitive golf and the more he plays, the better he will get.  Tiger is teamed with Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo and is a scratch golfer, which should help Tiger and let him focus on his game. Love him or hate him, with Tiger back on the Tour, ticket sales have been up 30%. Phoenix Open is unique and that is how 515,000 show up.  Bob said that they are prepared for it and that the community is involved and embrace the event. Collegiate Reporter Asher Wildman from Golfweek is with Holly G at The Concession Golf Club talking about the Big Ten Match Play tournament that starts tomorrow.  Asher talks about recent PGA Tour winner Kyle Stanley and the fact that he knows him pretty well and how Kyle prepares for a tournament and how badly he wanted to win.  Asher feels that the young 20 something year olds are poised to win and it should be no surprise to anyone who follows the game. Asher says that UCLA, the lady’s defending collegiate champion, is so deep that they lost players to the LPGA Tour. He feels Texas is definitely the team to beat on the men’s side.  Asher also feels that anything can happen though in Match Play . UCF has two new recruits and is probably the favorite to win Conference USA for the men’s division. Check out collegiate on Golfweek at www.golfweek.com or follow Asher Wildman on Twitter @golfweekwildman. Every week there is a conference breakdown on Golfweek. The Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis calls in to wrap up the show. The trio talk about a new and improved Tiger and comment on his press conference. Todd’s biggest point that he took away from Tiger’s interview was that Tiger is more at peace with a lot of things.  Life, his game, etc.

02/01/2012 The Golf Insiders

Holly G and Rich Bianco are in the studio. PGA Show wrap up.  Holly shares her playing experience with Mary Bryan at Errol Golf and Country Club. The Golf Insiders won an Outstanding Achievement at ING Interview with Paula Creamer at PGA Show will air next week on the Golf Insiders. Holly and Rich talk about the finish at the Farmers Insurance.  Brandt Snedeker wins in a playoff. Todd Lewis, the Golf Channel, calls in to talk about the Farmers Insurance and his conversation with Kyle Stanley who lost after leading by 7 shots.  Todd thinks it was hard for Stanley to play with a large lead thinking what could happen if he lost the lead. All-American at Clemson and on the Walker Cup team. Todd feels that this loss much like McIlroy’s in the past will make him a stronger player eventually. Todd Lewis shares his thoughts about Tiger’s performance and his attitude or control of his temper at the event. Tiger needs to work on his temper and controlled competitiveness.  The team also talks about Robert Rock’s performance and his apparel. Rock doesn’t wear a hat or visor but may be not wearing one because of his “great” hair. Might need to rethink his endorsement deal and wear a hat or visor for endorsement opportunity. Todd looks ahead for some of the interesting story lines in 2012.  Tiger, Phil and Jason Day will all unfold each week on The Golf Channel. Bob Harig, ESPN.com, just back from the Abu Dhabi. Even though the climate can be tough, there are lush green golf courses there in the United Arab Emirates.  Tiger received an appearance fee to be there as did several other players. Bob speculates as to whether we as golf fans should ever expect Tiger to get back to the Tiger he was several years ago, especially due to his age. Next up is the Waste Management Open on the PGA Tour and the Qatar Masters and then the Dubai tournament.  Bob Harig shares his thoughts on Phil’s play coming into a tournament in his own “backyard.” Jeff Shain, Orlando Sentinel, calls in to wrap up the show.  Lexi Thompson makes her start on the LPGA Tour year.  She is playing at the Gold Coast Tournament upcoming and then the Women’s Australian Open.  Jeff shares the composure of Lexi and the great support team, i.e. her parents.  Think that it also helps that her two brothers are competitive golfers. One on the Nationwide and the other brother in college. Jeff talks with Holly G and Rich about Meg Mallon being named the next Solheim Cup captain. He feels that Meg is at an advantage since she knows the area and the course well.