The Golf Insiders

04/23/2014 The Golf Insiders

PODCAST NOTE: Listeners can tune in to iHeart Radio 740 The Game Wednesdays from 6-7 p.m. to hear the The Golf Insiders live.  Add The Golf Insiders podcast to your iPhone as an app. Click here and go to the bottom of the device's screen to create the "Quick Launch" icon for the Golf Insiders. Once you've done this it will add The Golf Insiders podcast as an App to your home screen. 

Holly G and Rich Bianco are in the studio talking about Matt Kuchar's win at the RBC Heritage and his arm lock putting style. Holing out on the 18th and eventually win over Adam Scott. They also discuss Michelle Wie's win in Hawaii and Angel Jimenez's win in Malaysia.

Tim Rosaforte, The Golf Channel, Golf Digest and Golf World, calls in from the Zurich Classic. Time recently won the 2014 PGA Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism. He has won more than 40 awards.

Holly asks Tim about Bubba's recent win at the Masters. Tim feels that Bubba has won a lot of people and fans over with his recent trip to the Morning Drive, back to Baghdad Florida and his involvement with the Drive, Chip and Putt tournament.

Holly talks to Tim about the Tiger factor and with his absence once again how it will affect the financial aspects of golf.  Tim feels that sports fans love to see greatness no matter what sport and that is why Tiger is followed and viewed so much. 

Holly and Tim talk about Jordan Spieth's passion and emotion and how some seemed to criticize him for that. Palmer was very emotional person when he played. He feels that there is a way to channel that passion. Tim feels that Jordan is very good for the game. You have to look at players over a long period of time and not just judge them on one outing. People to like to see emotion and makes for better TV for sure.

Holly asks Tim about the upcoming U.S. Open. Tim feels this year's tournament is wide open and that it will be a chipping and putting contest and who can handle the pressure. 

They wrap up the segment talking about Sean Foley being ranked the #2 teacher in the nation behind Butch Harmon. He feels that if Tiger wins a Major soon it changes the conversation. 

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in to talk to the Golf Insiders about Matt Kuchar's recent win. With the win Bob feels that Kuchar's play over the last month has been really good. And now the win solidifies that and is not just looked at if he could close the deal on Sundays. Bob feels that Matt is a very solid player.

Bob and Holly also talk about Jordan Spieth's play of late. He did well at the Masters and he followed that up with a descent showing the following week. They also talk about Phil Mickelson's chances of winning the U.S. Open and if he will ever win one? 

Holly and Rich talk about local golf including the UCF Women's Golf Team finishing second to Louisville by 1 stroke at the American Athletic Conference Championship this past weekend. 

The Golf Insiders 04/16/14

PODCAST NOTE: Users can add The Golf Insiders podcast to their iPhone as an app now. Click here and go to the bottom of the device's screen to create the "Quick Launch" icon for the Golf Insiders. Once you've done this it will add The Golf Insiders podcast as an App to your home screen. 

Holly G and Rich Bianco are in the studio wrapping up the 2014 Masters Tournament won by Bubba Watson. Rich was at this year's Masters tournament and talks about the tournament. 

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in to talk to Holly and Rich about the Masters and Bubba's tournament. 

Bob said that he is interested to see how Bubba will do after winning this Masters as compared to his play after winning in 2012.

When he won in 2012 and didn't followup with great play and more wins, you wondered if it was a fluke.  But now that he has won 2 of the past 3 Masters you have to rethink his "travel" over the past few years.

Holly and Bob talk about the Masters ratings without Tiger and how significant the drop off in viewers was this year. There were great stories there and great weather but the ratings are discouraging. They also discuss the toughness of this year's course and the pin placement.

Todd Lewis, The Golf Channel, calls in from Hilton Head to talk about the Masters and the upcoming RBC Tournament. Todd feels that if Bubba drives the ball as well as he did in the Masters every week he's going to be tough to beat.

Holly feels that Bubba's round Saturday was very telling because he didn't play his best but he knew he could play better.

Todd says that he has stopped doubting Jordan Spieth.  His age, his experience, nothing is going to cause him to doubt him any longer. His passion and emotion help drive him to be successful. Todd feels that he is going to be a Major champion multiple times and the only problem he might have is handling all the demands put on him.

Holly and Todd also talk about Jonas Blixt and how well he plays and putts. 

Todd also talks about Harbour Town and the RBC Heritage this week. Players voted it the #2 favorite tournament to play behind Augusta. Todd says you don't have to be long off the tee to win it. It's a shot shapers tournament.

Damon Hack, Co-Host of Morning Drive on The Golf Channel, calls in to talk about Bubba's surprise visit to the show Tuesday. Watch it here bit.ly/RlMnLT Damon talks about Bubba's brother like relationship with his caddy. They talk about his 366 yard driver shot on Hole 15. leaving him 144 from the pin. Bubba shot a gap wedge after that to set up his birdie.

Rich feels that Bubba is a favorite going forward at Augusta because he plays the course so well. Damon discusses how Bubba is mentally right now and how comfortable he seems with life.

Garry Smits, Florida Times Union, calls in to chat about The Masters and some of the players performances. Holly asks Gary about Matt Kuchar's trend of late not finishing on Sunday.  

Gary also talks about Jonas Blixt and some of the international players who have settled in the Jacksonville area. 

The Golf Insiders 04 02 14

PODCAST NOTE: Users can add The Golf Insiders podcast to their iPhone as an app now. Click here and go to the bottom of the device's screen to create the "Quick Launch" icon for the Golf Insiders. Once you've done this it will add The Golf Insiders podcast as an App to your home screen. 

Rich Bianco is in the studio while Holly G is on vacation. Rich is joined by local friend and PGA Master Player, Instructor and Coach Sean Gorgone, "Whole Game of Golf." 

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in to share the week of golf news with Rich and Sean.

Bob talks about Bowditch's win and it was nice to see knowing his past personal and professional struggles. 

Bob also talks to Rich and Sean about the Shell Houston Open preceding the Masters. Bob feels that the week before the Masters that players competing in that tournament want to play in conditions that will be similar to Augusta the following week.

Rich brings up Tiger Wood's injury and talks to Bob about it. But back surgery has sidelined Woods for the Masters and for several weeks, maybe months to come. Bob said that without Tiger its a big loss at the Masters. He's been there every year for the past 20 years except for this one. 

Bob's dark horse pick Bill Haas, Rich's Matt Every and Sean's is Ryo Ishikawa.

Brian Hewitt, Global Golf Post editor, calls in to talk to Rich and Bob about the Masters. Brian says he is thinking about moving the story forward. Many expected him not to play at Augusta this year. What will happen when he comes back. Tiger started working with Sean Foley in 2010 and have not won a Major since and his record last year and the Majors even though he won 5 tournaments last year. Brian feels that Tiger may change his swing some during his rehab and may come back with another swing coach?

Jeff Shain, PGA.com calls in to wrap up the show and talks to the duo about the Shell Houston Open. Jeff says he divides the Shell Houston Open into two categories, those who will play the 2014 Masters and those trying to gain the invitation to this year's Masters. Folks like Dustin Johnson who has played really well outside of match play. 

Jeff and Rich talk about the great Texas golf tournaments like the storied Shell Houston Open. Jeff says that the staff at the Shell Houston Open did an outstanding job replicating the conditions that will face the golfers in Augusta, even thought they are in a totally different client in Texas.

The Golf Insiders 03/26/14

PODCAST NOTE: Users can add The Golf Insiders podcast to their iPhone as an app now. Click here and go to the bottom of the device's screen to create the "Quick Launch" icon for the Golf Insiders. Once you've done this it will add The Golf Insiders podcast as an App to your home screen. 

Holly G and Rich Bianco are in the studio talking about the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Central Floridian and University of Florida grad Matt Every picked up his first PGA Tour victory winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational. 

Holly and Rich talk about the tournament and play clips from Matt Every's post-win press conference. Every talks about hitting the tree on the 16th hole. 

Matt was 9 back after Friday but was able to comeback and overtake Adam Scott on the final day. He also talks about the upcoming Masters. Every is #7 in the FedEx Cup standings after his win.

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in to talk to about the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He noted that with Every's win it opens up a lot of doors for him this year in golf. Bob feels and wrote that unfortunately it was the story of Adam Scott losing the event after being ahead by 7 shots headed into Sunday. Adam Scott said that you don't get that many chances to win and when they are there you have to win.

Jimmy Walker has won three times and Patrick Reed twice this season but Bob feels that is the exception and not the rule. Holly and Bob talk about how hard it is to win on the Tour week in and week out and noted that many of the Tour players have echoed that.

Scott took more than 30 putts both Saturday and Sunday. Even though the long putter has been said to have helped Scott, Bob pointed out that he still has bad days and it is not the cure. 

Buddy Alexander, UF Golf Coach, talks with Holly and Rich about Matt Every's win. Buddy also comments on Every's comments about "You have to get used to losing on the Tour, it's nice to win." Buddy says that the nature of the game is losing. You have to take "wins" from Top 10s, Top 20s, and not just actually winning the event.

Holly and Buddy talk about Every pressuring Buddy to play in the Par 3 event at the Masters this year. Buddy, who won the 1986 U.S. Open Amateur Championship, says playing for fun and playing competitively are two different things and if you haven't competed that way in a while, it's even more pressure. Alexander has been coaching the Gators for 27 years and a total of 36 years coaching collegiate golf.

Jeff Babineau, Golfweek Editor, calls in to wrap up the show. Jeff talks about the passing of Ron Balicki, a long time senior writer for Golfweek who covered collegiate golf for many, many years. Jeff talks about Ron and wrote a nice editorial as a tribute to Ron. 

Ron Balicki (second from right) had an infectious way about him, seen by the huge smiles here from Lance Ringler, Asher Wildman and Jared Clemons. (Photo by Tracy Wilcox)