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Ep187: The Australian Open is Back !!! We Review it all. What Was Great, What Should Happen Next.
What a weekend......The Australian Open was sensational, and we are going to spend the next hour reliving it.
Mark is in Queensland with the family, Nick and Dan at Titleist and FootJoy HQ in Melbourne, so the show sounds a tad different today. Onto the AO. Nick and Mark loved it. The Australian Open is back, and it was an event that everyone involved, and golf fans broadly, should be very proud of.
Mark says last years Open was a 2/10 rating, this years was an 8/10, and he has a Top 5 later in the show of things that could get it to a 10/10 in his view. The big one being the date, it is a challenging date with the South African event and the Bahamas event on at the weekend attracting a lot of big name players. That said, Mark says on TV those two looked second-rate compared to The Australian Open. Changing the date is a no-brainer says Mark.
Nick notes that each of the 4 days had completely different weather which made the event challenging but exciting, and he loved the Sunday pin placements...he also said that he was 'sweating bullets' on friday when Rory was sailing a little close to the cutline.
But that finish. In fact the 17th and 18th holes. Extraordinary. We analyse what happened, how Rasmus and Cam played the holes. The pressure was huge and Rasmus came out on top obviously.
Nick talks about some of the older players who played, and he loved it. And some players who missed the cut who really shouldn't have. How about Min Woo Lee's Open, a tough sunday according ti Nick, and Mark says can you imagine if Adam Scott's putting was more consistent what might happen.
Then, Mark makes a big call about the BMW Australian PGA Tournament saying it needs to be moved out of Queensland. He explains why.
The BMW Touch of Class today is Richard Forsyth and his team at Royal Melbourne for the incredible job they did getting the course into the shape it was in, it looked magnificent and considering how it was only a few months ago, Mark says that they are well deserving of the Touch of Class award. Speaking of BMW, Nick bumped into his good mate Wolfgang, the former boss of BMW Australia, now in Germany, and a huge supporter of golf in Australia.
The Top 5 for Betr....Marks Top 5 things to get The Australian Open to the next level, including a red hot crack at the commentary....which is a little awkward given Nick is one of the commentators.
And for Hostplus, each week we look at what is a plus for golf - today, the running of the event by Golf Australia in how they handled a monster crowd over the week, the number of kids roaming around Royal Melbourne, and Mark adds a final one involving Nick O'Hern.
PING Globals, well there was plenty of golf on aside from the Australian Open, and Nick runs us through all the results that matter. Next week on the show we'll have two particular results of interest, firstly the Cathedral Invitational, and secondly the Vic PGA Pro Am in which our mate Snowy from FootJoy is defending his title in, and our Talk Birdie Wolfpacker Darren from Toowoomba will be playing in. Can't wait!
For Southern Golf Club, feedback this week is all about The Australian Open, and we have a voicemail from Michael in Hobart who has a question about the AO and a Tour Pro who he says 'made a dick move', and wants Nick and Marks thoughts.
After last weeks masterclass, for watchMynumbers, from Mark was branded the 'laziest masterclass we've done', Nick says he is doing a lazy one - although it turns out to be excellent. Nick talks about handling pressure at key points, Ala Cam and Rasmus.
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- And watchMynumbers and Southern Golf Club.
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Guest: Ian Baker-Finch Talks About the 91 Open Championship, the Mentor who 'Created My Life in Golf', and What's Next?
45:11||Season 3A very exciting episode today, we are hosting the legendary Ian Baker-Finch, Australian golfing superstar, former CBS commentator in the US, and the Chair of the PGA of Australia. This is a wide-ranging and open chat with Nick and Mark, starting with Mark asking Finchy about winning the NSW Open by 13 shots in 1984 !! How did it come about that he played it so much better than anyone else? Finchy reveals some behind the scenes information about the famous St Andrews Greenkeeper story.The late, great Peter Thomson was renowned for helping many golfers, and he had a significant influence on Finch's career - he explains how that happened, and why Peter Thomson's presence was so important to him saying that "He Created My Life in Golf".Finchy was on of the worlds great putters, and Nick asks him why he always putted with a glove on, and whether it was inspired by Jack Nicklaus.He tells Nick and Mark about the importance of setup and routine on his golf, and on anyones, saying whilst it is not talked about enough.The 1991 Open Championship. How did he prepare? Finchy talks through the weeks leading up, and how he should have won a tournament just prior to but couldn't close it out. The front 9 of The Open was where he did the damage, leading by a mile, he talks us through what he played on each of those 9 holes.But like many golfers, it wasn't always rosy, and Finchy had some challenges when he 'lost' his game. He talks about what happened, why, and what the contributing factors were. He reveals to Nick and Mark that he actually has one leg shorter than the other, which made golf difficult. Ironically, his challenges on the course and injuries were what allowed him the time to explore the world of television, he tells us how that came about and how he got into television in the US.After the turn, Finchy talks about 'the end game', what is possible for Australian golf? He explains the one thing Australian golf needs to go to the next level saying we have all the ingredients for a world class tour and a world class pathway, aside from a couple of things.And we wrap a wonderful chat with where Finchy sees himself in the next phase of life, in his retirement phase, how does that look for him and what is he planning to do?A great chat and a privilege to host Ian Baker-Finch on Talk Birdie To Me.Rory McIllroy Bites the Hand: 'Royal Melbourne Not the Best Course in Melbourne'. Nick and Mark Live from Royal Melbourne.
24:04||Season 3The Australian Open starts tomorrow, and today Nick O'Hern and Mark Allen are live from Royal Melbourne. We start with a special guest - Tour Pro Elvis Smylie has dropped him and Nick, has just come from a weather briefing and runs through for Elvis what they've just found out about tomorrow's weather. Warm and Windy......the warmth was expected, the wind was not.We ask Elvis how he's planning to play the course, and how the greens are playing in his practise runs. Mark has had a couple of spies watching a number of players and his mail is that the greens are fast...Leishman was struggling to stop the ball, but Rory was able to. The fringes have been the subject of much talk, what does Elvis think? And will his play differ from last week at Royal Queensland.After Elvis heads off, former Royal Melbourne Captain and historian of the course Andrew Kirby drops in. Kirbs tells Nick and Mark how the course has been set up, and how it may play given the wind. In some breaking news literally 2 minutes before Kirbs dropped in, Rory has just had a press conference where he was asked what the best course in Melbourne was - we all expected he'd say Royal Melbourne.....he did not. Much to everyone's surprise, and Mark says that Rory is clearly a 'bad judge of golf courses'.Kirbs, with his long history, explains what makes Royal Melbourne so special for him, and what his favourite tournament ever has been here.And after those couple of chats....we're all off to walk the course and soak it all in !186. Ep186: PGA Review, AO Preview. Plus Unusual 'Hole in Ones', Vale Fuzzy Zoeller, and Why Mark Made Late Night Television News
01:02:55||Season 3, Ep. 186It's Australian Open week, and we're excited...but...we start by chatting about the BMW Australian PGA at Royal Queensland. Fantastic win by David Puig, and an exciting tournament to watch. Mark asks Nick how the LIV / DPWT arrangements work and how Puig will manage his schedule now. Both Nick and Mark raved about how Puig constructed his tournament.Without any notice for Nick to take cover, Mark comments that he loves the commentators, but he has an issue with how the coverage is put together, and he launches in with poor Nick completely unawares.Golf.com have released a new Top 100 list (see it here), and Nick and Mark discuss some of the placings and muse over where Royal Melbourne Composite would rank were it a rankable course. Nick gives Mark payback for his comments on the commentary by making an observation about Kingston Heaths drop on the list, and what the cause might be. Mark ducks for cover.Mark played Royal Adelaide last week and describes it as 'a national treasure', he tells Nick why he loves it so much. Nick is playing the Cathedral Invitational shortly and he has had no time to practise, he is worried.....but at the same time he's excited about the tournament given the course and the calibre of players. Mark says the Cathedral Invitational is good for golf, and a real plus, given the players, the cost, and the proximity the fans get to the players.We pay tribute to Fuzzy Zoeller who passed away last week, and we replay one of his most iconic moments. Then onto the BMW Touch of Class, which has two entrants today !!And then, perhaps in payback for Nicks Kingston Heath comments, Mark has a crack at something else he felt was missing from the TV coverage of the BMW Australian PGA at the weekend.The Top 5 for Betr, inspired by Fuzzy, is the Top 5 most interesting hole in ones. We hear the story of when Mark hit an Ace and thought he'd won a car. Spoiler, he hadn't. The story is an absolute cracker.Lots of feedback today - carts, Minjee, Cam Smith, LIV, The Old Course - and Nick gives his thoughts on why Cam Smith's form has been off.Clearly lots of golf this week to cover off in the PING globals and Nick takes us through it all.And then....for watchMynumbers....Mark gives his masterclass. We need to be honest, Mark thought Nick was doing it, and prepared nothing. And truth be told, the masterclass reflects that lack of preparation. Mark feels it is valid. Nick is unconvinced. Dan is extremely underwhelmed. You be the judge. Feedback welcome.Bonus: Australian Open Preview: Does the Weather Change How to Play? And the Drivable Par 4's, How Will The Pros Play Them.
20:17||Season 3The BMW Australian PGA last weekend was excellent, and this week our attention turns to The Australian Open at Royal Melbourne. We start with a chat about the weather, it has been very wet in Melbourne, although the forecast for the day prior to the Open is for a hot and dry day, nonetheless the course has had plenty of moisture, what does that mean for it? Nick and Mark discuss.We run through some of the field, and Mark wants Nick to give a view on how some of the big boys will play the three Drivable Par 4's at RM. And we discuss a couple of smokeys who Nick and Mark feel might play well this week.And then we frame up a Betr Talk Birdie Multi with 3 legs. Only one of our multis has come off, but if you were on each of them Mark calculates you're still ahead. pick and Mark explain why they're confident about this one. Before we get the price back for the multi from Betr, Dan raises that he has spotted Mark fighting with wolfpackers on Twitter again....Mark doesn't deny it, in fact leans into it. And then the odds for the multi are in. A handy 21 bucks. Remember to gamble responsibly.Feedback: 'The Old Course is the Worst Course on the Open Rota'
24:25||Season 3Today on a Talk Birdie Feedback pod, we have some comments from wolfpackers about Nick and Marks discussion a week or so ago in which Mark said that Brooks Koepka would not get back to top form unless he returns to the PGA tour. Some had a different view, and felt there was context around his form over the last couple of years that was relevant.Nick comments that for some players (Bryson) LIV feels a great fit, and muses that he feels Rahm might prefer to be back on the PGA Tour.Then we have some brutal comments from wolfpacker Roger about the Old Course. Nick and Mark respond.After the turn, is the story of an amateur player partnered with Nick in a Pro Am telling him that he should do something else because he won't earn a living with his golf ability true? We find out.On that note, if Nick and Mark hadn't been Tour Pros, what would they have been? We find out the 'sliding doors' career paths. And Mark reveals how the Texas Tech opportunity came about and why wagging school might just be the best thing he ever did.Talk Birdie Mini: Have Golf Carts 'Destroyed' Golf ?
13:29||Season 3, Ep. 0A Talk Birdie Mini today, no time for a longer pod as Nick is commentating at the BMW Australian PGA and Mark is glued to the TV watching it....but we can sneak a mini in!Today, after Mark saw a tweet from a guy called 'Rick Golf' (Twitter page here) on how golf carts have 'destroyed' US Golf, he wanted to discuss carts with Nick.Both Nick and Mark are 'walkers' although Mark doesn't mind using a cart for 9 holes if he's playing 18, but both enjoy the walking element of playing golf. Nick makes a case that he plays better when he walks as you have better visibility, you can read the greens more effectively, and he finds it helps with the rhythm of his round. Mark agrees, and says if you are using a cart, there is nothing better than your playing partner driving off in a cart, and you walking down the fairway with just a putter in hand after hitting a 3 or 5 wood on a Par 5 !!A fun mini today - and now back to the BMW Australian PGA !!!Bonus: Australian PGA Boss Gavin Kirkman: 'This Years BMW Australian PGA Field is the Strongest in 20-Years'
19:45||Season 3, Ep. 0The BMW Australian PGA starts today at Royal Queensland and we sat down with the Australian PGA CEO Gavin Kirkman for a chat about the tournament and what he is working on currently to grow golf.We had to start with an update. Brisbane has been hit by some quite severe storms last week, and as recently as Monday this week, was the course damaged, and have the storms caused any issues with, or changes to, the structure of the tournament? Gavin gives us the latest information and looked at everything having just walked the course prior to our conversation.Nick and Mark are impressed with the calibre not only of the Australian and New Zealand players, but of the International contingent who have come to Brisbane for the event, and ask Gavin whether he feels there is further plans for co-sanctioning with the DPWT, following the excellent work with the Hotel Planner Tour. Gavin reveals that the DPWT CEO Guy Kinnings is travelling to Australia for the event, and then heading to Melbourne for talks about working more closely with the Australian PGA....that is great news.After the turn, we discuss Tuesday nights PGA awards in Brisbane, and the announcement of Minjee Lee as the Greg Norman medal recipient for the 4th time. Well deserved, in a tough field.Nick has spotted on the calendar a new event pencilled in as TBC for March 2026 and asks Gavin outright what it is. The early part of 2026 looks excellent with the Webex series events, and 4 Ladies European co-sanctioned events in Australasia.Mark asks Gavin why the Queensland PGA event last week had a smaller field than usual. Gav explains....it has something to do with cows and curtains. Classic Queensland.....And before we wrap up, Gav tells us about the time he watched Nick O'Hern in a playoff against Peter Lonard at one of Nick's favourite hunting grounds - Coolum.A great chat with the PGA of Australia boss today! Enjoy the tournament over the weekend !Bonus: BMW Australian PGA Tournament Preview: Who Wins and Why? The Aussies vs Internationals. And a Solid Talk Birdie / Betr Multi.
15:56||Season 3, Ep. 0It's a massive fortnight in Australian golf, the BMW Australian PGA starts in a day at Royal Queensland, and next week the Australian Open at Royal Melbourne. What a time to be a golf lover!Today Nick and Mark run through the field for Brisbane, and it's impressive. Some wonderful Australian players of course, but the international field is very strong. We run through a few of the players who could mount a claim for the win. Nick produces a great stat regarding international vs Australian winners of the tournament....which helps to frame the discussion around our Talk Birdie / Betr multi. Nick and Mark are also feeling confident that Cameron Smith will come ready to play, and that Marco Penge will be looking for redemption after a poorer than expected performance a week or so ago.Brisbane has had some major storms, what does that mean (if anything) for the course and how it will play, Nick and Mark discuss.And then Nick and Mark name their predicted winner of the tournament and explain why, and their dark horse.Remember to gamble responsibly, but if you'd like to have a look at our Talk Birdie / Betr multi - head to the Betr website or app, search Betr specials and the Talk Birdie multi is there waiting for you!