The Golf Insiders 07-22-15 - a podcast by The Golf Insiders

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Host Holly G and Special Guest co-host Sean Gorgone, Whole Game Golf, Dewey's Sports Bar in Orlando are in the studio for another hour intelligent golf talk. Holly and Sean recap The Open Championship that was held at St. Andrews Golf Course in Fife, Scotland. Zach Johnson won the 144th Open Championship after a four hole sudden death playoff to become a two-time major championship winner with his win at The Masters in 2007.

Jeff Babineau, Golfweek, calls in after just returning from Scotland, and talks with Holly and Sean about the long week that was all worth it at the end. Jeff talks about Spieth being able to make it all the way to the 72nd hole and then Zach Johnson to win in a playoff was just great.

Jeff and Holly talk about the amateurs who were contending for the Open Championship this year. So many great story lines.

Holly talks to Jeff about a log jam of players who were in the mix on Monday final round. So many people playing well and a very exciting final day of a major championship. Jeff walked 18 holes with Tom Watson on the Friday and talks about that historic event.

Holly asks Jeff about the 17th hole and why it's so hard?   Also about all of the great players that were probably playing there for the final time.

Mike Bender, Mike Bender Golf Academy and Swing Coach for the 2015 Open Champion Zach Johnson and LPGA Winner Chella Choi, joins the show talking about his double wins this past weekend. Spoke with Zach Johnson after he won and he also called in and let Mike know that he will be sharing the Claret Jug with the team.

Mike said he always tells people, winning one is luck twice is skill. Mike says that Zach is a lot like all of us. He's not a bomber off the tee, he just hits it down the middle of the fairway and puts it on the green. He knows how to play golf courses using his game and doesn't try to play it any differently. He has always been a great putter and has been doing a lot better with the putter lately. 

Holly talks to Mike about how often he works with Zach. He has an efficient compact swing. Mike says he tries to take compensating moves out of people's golf swings.  Not all these extra moving parts. Zach has very good control through the impact zone. Mike was also saying that this year's Open Championship was a lot like when Zach won the Masters ... the golf course was playing long and not very many people could drive the greens.

Sean asks Mike about a shot of Zach's that could help the everyday player?

"One of Zach's strengths is that he hits his wedges on the lower side with a lot of spin. He also hits a draw shot and the ball is always landing on the green and spinning toward the hole," Bender said. "But for anyone, you have to have a favorite yardage with your wedge whether its 60-80 or 70-90 yards. Get really, really good at that distance. Then you can use that information and ability to gauge just how hard you need to the ball."

Holly also talks with Mike about the fact that he and Zach are both from Iowa. Mike says that there are some great junior golf programs in the state and there are a lot of good players from Iowa. 

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in to wrap up the show. Holly comments about Jordan Spieth sitting on the 18th green waiting on Zach Johnson to finish after just finishing one hole shy of making the playoff. Bob said the fact that he was there was a really nice gesture and showed something. I thought after he made the putt on 16 I thought he'd birdie the 18th and win it all. He didn't par the 17th and didn't birdie the 18th.  But both were very possible and it almost happened.

Holly and Sean talk with Bob about Jordan's statement about being between clubs on the 18. 

"Give the guy tons of credit for even being there," Harig said. "He birdied the first two holes on Thursday and was there until the final shot on 18. Amazing."

Holly asks Bob about Dustin Johnson almost running away with the tournament early. " He made it so easy the first two days," Harig said. ... "And then all of sudden it was just gone."

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