TP and I talk about the history unfolding in front of all of us from Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda. He shares his thoughts on why in the world Victor Hovland went from winning the Tour Championship to making swing and coach changes. We also get into the unprecedented amount of money that Scheffler’s Caddie, Ted Scott is making. It’s about to be more in the last few months than Arnold Palmer made playing golf in his career.

Larry Rinker played his college golf at the University of Florida and was the medalist at the 1978 SEC Championship. He is now one of the top Instructors in our game. Larry played in a couple of Masters Tournaments and we talk about his first experience back in 1983. He played a practice round with Payne Stewart and Scott Hoch and the Par 3 Tournament with Gary Player and Gay Brewer. We get both of those stories plus what it was like playing in the final group at the 1984 Heritage Classic with Nick Faldo, when Faldo got his first PGA Tour victory. Check him out online at www.larryrinker.com.

In Part 2 of this week’s show, I’m joined by 1983 PGA Champion and 2-time Players Champion Hal Sutton and former PGA Tour Player who is now one of the all-time great Golf Analysts, Frank Nobilo.

Hal has designed a new course outside of Houston, Texas called Darmor. It is sure to be named the Top New Private Course of 2024/2025. We start off getting an update on how it’s progressing. I then get Hal’s thoughts on Scottie Scheffler’s win in The Masters and his impressive play in the extremely windy conditions in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. He also shares his thoughts on what he saw from Ludvig Aberg playing in his first major plus Tiger’s performance as well. We then look ahead to the PGA Championship at Valhalla and a look back at Hal’s win in the PGA Championship in 1983. Hal talks about having his idol, Jack Nicklaus, make a charge in the final round and what it was like having Jack waiting for him on 18 as Hal closed out that victory.

Frank Nobilo was a part of the CBS broadcast team for The Masters. We talk about why Augusta National always brings out the best in past champions. He shares his insights on the play of Sscheffler, Aberg, and Tiger. Then I get Frank’s thoughts on why golf’s ratings are down 20+% this year. We conclude by looking back at the 1994 US Open at Oakmont. Frank was in the field that year and in the press room when Arnold Palmer finished his final US Open round. Frank talks about the emotional scene of watching Mr. Palmer address the press and his fans.

In the first segment of a special “Happy Birthday to Me” episode, I’m joined by Olin Browne, the 2011 US Senior Open Champion, and John Patrick, whom I regard as the finest Golf & Talk Show Radio Host ever.

Olin Browne shares insights on why Scottie’s career trajectory resembles that of Tiger’s. Additionally, we delve into Ludvig Aberg’s apparent enjoyment during the typically tense final nine holes of The Masters on Sunday. Olin also recounts his experiences competing in the Senior PGA Championship at Valhalla in 2011, which is also the venue for this year’s PGA Championship, and the US Open at Pinehurst in 2005, the location of this year’s US Open.

In the second segment, I’m joined by the best to ever do it, John Patrick. I refer to John as the Godfather of Golf Talk Radio, because he is the gold standard. John delves into Augusta National’s recent property acquisitions surrounding the Club, speculating on their potential plans. He discusses the challenging winds that affected the tournament over Friday and Saturday, offering insights into Tiger’s future and what might need to happen for Rory to secure a victory there. Additionally, we discuss what might be causing the declining television ratings of the PGA Tour.

In Part 2, I’ll cover those same topics with 1983 PGA Champion Hal Sutton and former Tour Player and now CBS Analyst Frank Nobilo.

Don was a 3rd round pick in 1989 but the first pick the Buffalo Bills had that year. He was an integral part of their 4 Super Bowl appearances in the early 90s. After a good warm-up and prayer session before the start of Super Bowl 27, he was convinced that he’d make the game-winning TD catch against the Cowboys. Well, the game was a route in the other direction. The Cowboys won 52-17 but it was a second away from the Cowboys putting another touchdown on the board when Don ran down Leon Lett who was dancing his way toward the endzone after recovering a fumble. Don swiped the ball out of Lett’s hand causing a touchback and giving the Bills the ball back. It was an innocuous play in a blowout game. But it showed Don hadn’t given up and was going to hustle until the game was over. During pregame, he had asked God to help him honor and praise Him through a game-winning touchdown. Instead, He gave him a play that has resonated with millions in a much deeper way. Hear Don tell that story and the reaction he continues to receive from people all over the world 31 years later.

Happy Masters Week everyone. For me, this is THE most magical week of the year. As they say, The Master is a tradition unlike any other. This week both parts of the show are dedicated to taking you inside the tournament to give you a sense of what it’s like to be on those magnificent grounds.

I kick it off with Tom Patri, who has been out there several times with his good friend, 1992 Masters Champion Fred Couples. Also joining me in Part 1 of this week’s show is John Cook. Cookie played in 15 Masters tournaments dating back to 1979. He earned his way into that Masters field with his victory in the 1978 US Amateur.

Tom Patri shares stories of being alongside Fred Couples during his run to the Green Jacket in ’92. To this day, none of us know how Fred’s tee shot on #12 didn’t roll back into Rae’s Creek. We hear what Fred’s reaction was. Tom also shares some of his other favorite Masters memories, the legends he wished could have donned a Green Jacket, and current players he’d love to see win. I also get his thoughts on Scottie Scheffler’s place in history if he were to win his second Masters.

John Cook takes us down Magnolia Lane, remembering that first drive up alongside his mentor Ken Venturi. We hear about his night in the Crows Nest and the Augusta National memorabilia he collected over the years. I also get Cookie’s thoughts on what’s driving television ratings down, and why the networks are trying to replace the great Analysts that many of us love.

I have been saying for years that Shaun Micheel is the most underrated and under-appreciated player in PGA Tour History. Most remember his incredible win at the 2003 PGA Championship, hitting one of the greatest approach shots in major golf history. He came to that 72nd hole with a 1-stroke lead over Chad Campbell. He then hit his 7-iron approach shot to 3 inches from the cup. What people don’t remember is that he nearly doubled down at the 2006 PGA, finishing 2nd to Tiger. He also finished runner-up at the 2006 World Match Play Championship after defeating Tiger in the first round 4 & 3. During his PGA Tour career, he had 20 Top 10 finishes and 57 Top 25s. You’ll hear him share his experiences playing in the 2004 Masters. His practice round with Jack and playing in the group behind Arnold Palmer during Arnie’s final Masters appearance that year. Plus, playing in the group with Seve during his final Open appearance.

In Part 1 of this week’s podcast, my guests are former LPGA Commissioner & Author Charlie Mechem and The Confidence Doctor, Dr. Robert Winters.

Charlie Mechem has recently written his third book titled, Arnie & Jack, Stories of My Long Friendship with Two Remarkable Men. We hear about how he met both men and stories from his 10 years working as a Consultant to Arnold Palmer following Charlie’s tenure as Commissioner of the LPGA Tour. One of the many great stories that Charlie share is from when former PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem asked him to convince Mr. Palmer and Mr. Nicklaus to Co-Design The King & the Bear. Finchem failed to get them to agree to it multiple times. Charlie had a very unique idea how to get them to do it…and it worked. We also hear about the true mutual respect and friendship Jack and Arnie had. Charlie tells the story of having lunch with Mr. Palmer following The Masters one year. They talked about a player who was in contention laid up on 13 & 15. Neither couldn’t imagine why anyone would do that. Palmer asked Charlie, do you remember how many times I finished 2nd in The Masters? Charlie said no. Mr. Palmer replied, neither do I. Hear those stories plus several other wonderful ones including Charlie playing golf with Neil Armstrong, Paul Brown, Pete Rose, and Tommy Thayer of Kiss.

Dr. Bob Winters, The Confidence Doctor, joins me in the second segment. He shares tips for how to keep those intrusive negative thoughts out of our minds when we want to see all the trouble around the golf course. Change Your Mind, Change Your Game is his mantra. He also talks about how to be smarter than your doubt plus shares a wonderful story of meeting Jack Fleck out on the driving range and the impact that had on him going forward.

In Part 2 of this week’s show, I’m joined by SportsBox Ai Founder Jeehae Lee plus Caddie Hall of Famer Dennis Cone and former PGA of America Write & Historian Bob Denney.

Jeehae Lee picked up a plastic bat at the age of 8, swung it and the next thing she knew her parents bought her a set of clubs, got her an Instructor, dropped her off at the driving range, and told her to find her way there each day after school to practice…in Seoul, South Korea…at the age of 8! She played her college golf at Yale, helped them win the 2003 & 2006 Ivy League Championships, broke 70 for the first time ever at LPGA Q-School, finished 12th, and earned her Tour card. She retired from the Tour in 2014 and became Michelle Wie’s Assistant/Manager. From there she went on to be the Director of Business Strategy for Top Golf. She then started her own company called SportsBox Ai. Their software creates a 3D video of your swing taken from your cell phone. You can see your swing from every possible angle including overhead and underneath. You can overlay your good swings and bad swings to understand what was different. You can also overlay Tour Player swings and learn to swing like they do. Hear all this plus check out Sportbox Ai here: https://www.sportsbox.ai/

Dennis Cone is a Caddie Hall of Famer and the Founder of the Professional Caddie Association. Before his retirement, Bob Denney was a Writer and Historian for the PGA of America. They tell the stories of two remarkable ladies in our game, Madelyn “Moochie” Turner and Renee Powell. Moochie is also a member of the Caddier Hall of Fame. Renee Powell played on the LPGA Tour and is the daughter of Bill Powell who is the first African American to design, build, and own a golf course in the US. It’s Clearview Golf Club in East Canton, Ohio. Hear all of those stories plus what both guys are doing to assist our Veterans around the country.

In Part 1 of this week’s show, I’m joined by PGA Tour Legends David Peoples and Tom Purtzer. David had a fantastic Amateur career which included winning the 1979 Florida State Amateur Championship before he joined the PGA Tour. He went on to win twice on Tour, at the 1991 Southern Open and the 1992 Anheuser-Busch Classic. He also won the 1990 Kapalua International.

David was so much fun when he joined me in December that I couldn’t wait to have him back on the show. He and I talk about how he came from 2 strokes back to win that ’79 Florida State Amateur defeating then 44-year-old and multi-time champion Jack Vegte and future Tour Pro Jay Schrader. He also shares memories of finishing runner-up at Q-School in 1982 when it was played at TPC Sawgrass, his appearances in the 1992 and ’93 Masters, and why he decided not to play in The Open Championship until playing in the Senior Open Championship when he was on the Champions Tour.

Tom Purtzer is one of my all-time favorites. In his 7th visit to the show, he shares his insights on this year’s Players Championship plus his experiences playing in the tournament from the late 70s through the early 90s. He talks about the challenge of figuring out the winds swirling around the 17th green, similar to the ones around the 12th green at Augusta National. We also talk about the incredible putt he made from the back lip of the bunker on the 13th hole on his way to victory at the 1991 Colonial Invitational and why he never mentioned that putt to tournament host Ben Hogan. We round out Part 1 of this week’s show talking about the fracture in the Pro game and if we would be here if Deane Beman was still Commissioner.