Our guest today is one of the most successful amateur golfers ever to have lived. Gary has won two Amateur Championships, played in the Walker Cup six times and is the all time leading points scores for GB&I – a record that will probably never be beaten. Gary famously beat Tiger Woods in his last appearance before turning professional. On reaching eligibility for playing on the seniors tour, Gary finally turned professional – where he has amassed three wins.
Gary has had 21 hole in ones, played in two Masters, two Opens and one US Open. He was awarded an MBE for his services to golf in 2007. Gary has seen stars rise and fall – from Palmer, Nicklaus, Seve, Faldo, to Woods and Westwood and into the modern day bombers like Rory. Gary has played with, and beaten, them all.
In his book, The Long and Short of It, Gary writes about how he struggled to finance competing week to week, often against the wealthy golfing elite. We talk to Gary about his longevity, how he financed his career and lifestyle and the steps he wished he taken earlier.
This podcast will humanise household stars, most of who openly acknowledge they wish they began planning for their future earlier – even at the height of their careers. We will be joined by my co-hosts Mark Pittaccio, behavioural economist, who will help shed light onto why we all struggle to take action and do the basics, even when in principle everybody agrees with the sentiment. Brendan Macken, retired Rugby Professional will round off our panel with direct insights into the changing room and behind the player’s mindsets.