Lost Fore Words

Charlie Ford joins the podcast again for another topical discussion, this time about Major Championships. Tom and Charlie discuss whether majors are as essential to legendary status as they’re made out to be among fans, media and the likes. Do the players themselves consider them as essential? Are majors championship victories an unfair barometer of a players’ career? With just four played a year, and only one of those on the same course each season, it’s easy to see why some players can take a long time to win one, or in the case of a few notables, go a whole career without one. Two players in particular are discussed when it comes to deciding their status, as they were widely expected to win majors. Before we consider someone “a sure-fire major winner” maybe we need to consider what it takes to win one, beyond a players’ skill level and mental ability. 

This week’s events see a new course and event on the European Tour as Aphrodite Hills plays host to the Cyprus Open, while the PGA Tour returns to Bermuda for the second staging of the Bermuda Championship. Both events have slightly weaker fields than previous weeks, as the top players opt to play it safe and take rest and recovery over match practice, in preparation for the upcoming Masters. We came very close to selecting the winner on the European Tour last week, as Laurie Canter just missed out in Italy, while Bubba Watson and Cameron Smith both shared 4th place are the ZOZO.

Cyprus Open 00:00 - 1:00:14

Bermuda Championship 1:00:15 - 1:31:29

Discussion & Picks 1:31:30  till close

This week the European Tour to heads to Italy for the Italian Open while the PGA moves to California for the relocated ZOZO Championship. As has often been the case, these are courses we are not used to seeing on Tour, such is golf in the COVID-19 era, but we have some excellent players competing in both events, as they all desperately try and sharpen their tools for the upcoming Masters in November. Matt Wallace is the favourite in Italy, after a strong effort in Scotland, while Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele share favouritism in the ZOZO. 

Italian Open 00:00 - 41:41

ZOZO Championship 41:42 - 1:10:53

Picks & Discussion 1:10:54 till close

This week’s podcast sees Tom and Jason discuss the Scottish Championship and the CJ Cup. While a weak field has assembled on the European Tour, 16 of the top-20 players in the world are teeing it up in Las Vegas and more specifically Shadow Creek. With new courses on both Tours, it should make for an interesting week.

Scottish Championship 00:00 - 35:17

CJ Cup 35:18 - 1:35:44

General Discussion 1:35:45 till close

This week the European Tour heads to Wentworth for its flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship, while the PGA Tour travels to Vegas this week, for the first of a double-header in Sin City, at the Shriners Open. Americans are favourites on both sides of the pond as Patrick Reed tees up at Wentworth after finishing T4 on debut last year, and the much discussed, Bryson DeChambeau pegs it up again at the Shriners where he has already won. With such strong favourites in each event, there is some value to be had elsewhere, but it might not be a week to get too cute.

Recap/BMW PGA Championship 00:00 - 1:10:55

Shriners Open 1:10:56 - 1:52:40

Summary and Picks 1:52:41 till close

This week's podcast sees Golf.com's instructional and service columnist, Luke Kerr-Dineen join Tom to discuss Bryson DeChambeau. They discuss; Bryson's bright start to his career, turning from promising amateur to established professional, the ceiling of his driving distance, the potential improvements he can still make, his chances at Augusta and why this current run may well have been a long time coming. With Bryson now joining Golf.com as a contributor, Luke has had a chance to get to know Bryson on a personal level, and gives an insight into the man and the golfer.

This week Tom and Jason break down the fields at the Scottish Open and Sanderson Farms Championship. The Scottish Open is the first Rolex event on the European Tour since the restart, which means a larger prize fund and in turn a better field, as the players battle on the links before heading south next week to Wentworth, for the Tour’s flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship. At the Sanderson Farms, Scottie Scheffler headlines a mixed field, where a few up-and-comers mix it with a couple of intriguing major champions, and a whole host of PGA Tour veterans in what should be an interesting, but difficult to predict week.

Start/Scottish Open 00:00 - 58:43

Sanderson Farms Championship 58:44 - 1:30:44

Summary and Picks 1:30:45 till close

Is distance really killing golf? Did Bryson DeChambeau ruin the challenge Winged Foot previously presented? Is golf in a bad place?

This week Tom and Jason look at the Irish Open and Corales Championship, two events that have struggled to attract the world's best, due to their slot after the U.S. Open. With that said, there are a couple of standout players headlining each field, so the guys took it upon themselves to find some value further down. Especially in the Corales, where Tom has found a group of 100+/1 selections.

Start/Irish Open 00:00 - 39:22

Corales Championship 39.23 - 1:04:14

Summary and Picks 1:04:15 till close

It’s time for the second of three majors in 2020, as the world’s best pack up and head to Mamaroneck, New York and Winged Foot Country Club for the 120th U.S. Open.