Final pod of the year, and there is plenty to discuss!

Mark opens with some news that he says is good but can't tell us. Confused? We were as well. Mark asks Nick if he thinks Golf Australia have any firm thoughts on the Australian Open moving forward. We discuss what next steps might be. Mark says that if Golf Australia are not preparing for the next Open, the format, date and structure now, there is a risk that next year if nothing is confirmed by June, they will look 'rudderless'.

Nick reveals his favourite event to play these days, which he played in at the weekend. He tells us about the tournament and the incredible amount of money that was raised for charity. Nick was impressed with Jack Riewoldt's skills at the weekend, who took part in the event. Mark mentions how Rory McIlroy played Tara Iti last week. Do we value short Par 4's in Australia more than other people?

Nick and Mark chat about Tour School from the weekend and some of the results. Mark tells a story when he was in US Tour School and bumped into one of his mentors and what happened next. Nick tells a great story about seeing Tiger Woods for the first time at Q School in 1998 and explains why he was there given he had won the US Masters in 1997! Nick tells us why, at that stage in 1998, his game was not ready for America and explains the work he did to get ready for the US.

Nick talks about why he believes in making practise as hard as possible, and why he loved 2-ball / worst ball. Mark issues a challenge for Talk Birdie To Me listeners to play 2 ball / worst ball and let us know how you go, Nick would like you to try it, and aim to break 40. Nick mentions the Player of the Year award, won by Scottie Scheffler; and the Women's Player of the Year a little while back, won by Nelly Korda - he and Mark have a different view on who the women's winner should have been. In the last week there has been a couple of 59's shot, Nick and Mark analyse them using the trademarked Talk Birdie '59 analyser data'.

Nicks turn for the Top 5 today, and he counts down his Top 5 most amazing and incredible moments of 2024. It's very good, so much so that Mark brands it the best Top 5 of the year. This week in feedback, we only read one piece of feedback. It's a piece of constructive criticism for the podcast that we will need your input on. Lots to run through in PING Global results of course, Nick takes us around the world. And the masterclass this week is from Mark with zero preparation, that said, it is actually very good!

• PING will help you play your best, like they have for Nick O'Hern. See your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting;
• The new watchMynumbers app, the most powerful data based golf app in the world, download from the App Store or Google Play;
• Golf Clearance Outlet, join GCO Live for great member benefits and comps. They're in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and the Sunshine Coast, or online here.
• Southern Golf Club - Home of the Australian Master of the Amateurs in January 2025, entry is free!

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