The Golf Insiders March 30, 2016 - a podcast by The Golf Insiders

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"WE'RE BACK!" ... After a few months hibernation, The Golf Insiders is back kicking off Season 8 with show host Holly "G" Geoghegan and special guest Jay Golden, Winter Pines Golf Course in Winter Park, Fla., and PGA Instructor. 

Holly and Jay recap the week in golf that saw Jason Day win the WGC-Dell Match Play Championship and Tony Finau capture the Puerto Rico Open at Coco Beach. This week is the Shell Houston Open followed by the season's first major championship, The Masters. This week is the first of 5 majors on the LPGA, it's the ANA Inspiration. 

Will Perry, Founder and Creative Director of EVVUS is also in the studio this week. Will is going to be "ramping" up the social media platforms at The Golf Insiders.

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, is the season's first guest. Holly asks Bob about Jason Day's back-to-back wins on the PGA Tour. Bob said it was a little strange that a couple weeks ago Day was asked about his slow start on the Tour this season. Next thing you know, he wins back to back events and everything is changed.

Now it's six wins in his last 13 starts. Even though he almost withdrew from the WGC due to back issues, he gutted it out and won.  Bob said that it sets up for a great Masters next week. Holly talked about Jordan Spieth and the naysayers comparing this year to last year and Jordan's response was that I already won this season and didn't last year. Last season Spieth lost in a playoff the week before the Masters and he went on to win it. 

Jay asks Bob about Spieth's putting this year so far as compared to last year, especially from 20-30 feet. Strokes gained tee to green last year was near or in the top 5 on the PGA Tour, so putting wasn't the only key last year. Bob feels that Jordan isn't striking the ball as well so far this year consistently as he did last year.

Holly asks Bob about this format at the WGC compared to last year. Bob doesn't like the fact there are so many matches on Friday that really didn't matter. He thinks it might be better if there were more double elimination matches in the first couple of days. Once you get to Saturday, if good players have survived match play, then it's good TV.

Holly asks Bob who he thinks really would benefit from going into the Masters and do well for the rest of the season.  Bob said Spieth, Phil Mickelson and Patrick Reed. But Bob feels the Rory McIlroy really needed to play this week to get in form for the first major.

Jay asks Bob if there is any updates on Tiger Woods?  Bob said no and he doesn't realistically think Tiger will not play in the Masters this year even though he has not shut the door and said No, he won't play.

Holly tells the listeners about The Golf Auction hosting its annual global online auction that runs through April 10, 2016. Numerous memorabilia and collectibles will be auctioned off during this 10-day auction. This year’s online auction will feature a number of finds of great historical significance.  They include championship-used golf balls from Arnold Palmer’s 1958 Masters win and Cary Middlecoff’s 1955 Masters win, along with Ben Hogan’s 1951 U.S. Open win and Ed Furgol’s 1954 U.S. Open triumph.  In addition, the Middlecoff and Furgol balls are autographed, and Middlecoff’s also bears an inscription to Ralph Hutchison, the legendary golf pro who from 1947-1971 was the 18th green announcer at Augusta. 

Steve Eubanks, Global Golf Post, calls in from Rancho Mirage, California, the site of the ANA Inspiration, formerly the Dinah Shore. Holly and Steve talk about Lydia Ko and the success she's had so far this season. Steve said that Lydia said that she doesn't remember hitting the ball better than she is now. She used to "over cook" some of her drives and now she doesn't. 

Holly said that there is only one American in the top 10 on the money list so far this season, Stacy Lewis. Holly G asks Steve about Lewis and how she seems now since she recently go engaged. Steve thinks that inside the ropes he thinks she will do fine this year.  Steve and Holly also talk about Michelle Wie who turned pro 10 years ago.

Todd Lewis, The Golf Channel, calls in from the Shell Houston Open. Todd says that this is a big week for Jordan Spieth, who recently lost his #1 ranking to Jason Day. He says that Spieth has been playing well, but not great like he was before when he had his number one ranking. 

Holly talks with Todd about who might win the Masters. Jason Day, Adam Scott, Jordan Spieth will be talked about a lot this week prior to the Masters and Todd thinks that is a good thing for McIlroy who needs the green jacket to complete his career grand slam. Todd also feels that Phil has a really good shot at winning the Masters this year. 

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