The 9th Tee Podcast

Ben and Kent discuss a buffet of LPGA news dropped over the last week, including Annika Sorenstam's return to play, former world no. 1 Yani Tseng making her first start since 2019 (8:10), Gabi Ruffels turning pro, and the marketing opportunity for Ruffles chips (16:35), current No. 1 Jin Young Ko making her 2021 debut (20:50). They then pivot to range finders being allowed at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship (25:35), the change of major winners now getting a five-year exemption instead of a two-year one for non-members, aka the Popov Rule (32:47), CME Points becoming the basis of status going forward instead of official money and the ramifications of that change (37:52), Cognizant sponsoring the Founders Cup (42:51), and the LET announcing it's 2021 schedule (45:00). 

Ben and Kent are joined by LPGA Tour Rookie Jennifer Chang, heading into her second rookie season on tour. They chat about what she learned about adjusting from college to professional golf, what she worked on during the pandemic break and this offseason, the kind of courses she expects to play well in, and how working with a mental coach has helped her game. They end by discussing Shake Shack versus In N Out Burger. 

Ben and Kent are joined by The IX's Sarah Kellam, who writes a weekly newsletter on women's golf every Thursday, on the 9th Tee for a wide-ranging discussion on the state of the women's golf game. They start chatting about Sarah's golf background, including getting an autograph from Annika Sorenstam and Brandel Chamblee giving her swing advice. They then talk about Hall of Famer Inbee Park and what it'd be to see her facing off against Bryson DeChambeau in a mixed Presidents Cup. They wrap with lukewarm takes on the 2021 Solheim Cup and the value of veterans for the Americans after Suzann Pettersen's winning moment in 2019. 

Ben and Kent discuss the 60 burger of a Saturday for Jessica Korda that drove her into the final pairing Saturday, the playoff on NFL Championship Sunday, Danielle Kang's bogey-free streak, and the fireworks from the final group of the Korda sisters and Danielle Kang.

Ben and Kent discuss the 60 burger of a Saturday for Jessica Korda that drove her into the final pairing Saturday, the playoff on NFL Championship Sunday, Danielle Kang's bogey-free streak, and the fireworks from the final group of the Korda sisters and Danielle Kang. 

Ben and Kent discuss five questions ahead of the 2021 season, beginning at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions. First, who will win the money title (1:55), which countries will have multiple representatives at the Olympics (15:30), will Jin Young Ko move into 2nd all-time for most weeks as the World's No. 1 (21:25), who will be the rookie of the year (34:05), and who will become a first-time winner in 2021 (41:00). 

Ben and Kent talk about five separate questions ahead of the 2021 LPGA Tour season beginning at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions. With odds from Bovada, who would they bet on to win the official money title (1:55). Which countries will have more than two representatives at the 2021 Olympics (15:30), will current No. 1 Jin Young Ko move into 2nd all time for most weeks at world No. 1 (21:25), and who will be the rookie of the year (34:05), and who will be first time winners in 2021 (41:00) ahead of the tour starting back up in Florida. 

Christina Kim and Ron Sirak join Ben and Kent to discuss LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan's announcement that he will phase out at some point in 2021, an 11-year run, making him the longest-tenured Commissioner in the history of the LPGA Tour. Kim joins first and discusses her role as an LPGA Tour board of directors member during Whan's hiring and the difficulty the tour faced, along with the first time she talked to Whan when he was the Commissioner in South Korea at 2:45 in the morning. After (19:30), Sirak joins who talks covering events virtually in 2020 before talking a litany of topics on the outgoing Commissioner. He shares why Whan is on his Mt. Rushmore of commissioners, Whan's most critical decisions to save the tour from nearly folding during the Great Recession, and why his honesty led him to his success at the helm of the LPGA Tour. 

Ben and Kent spend three minutes on each of the top 10 moments from the pandemic-shortened 2020 season in chronological order, beginning in Australia and ending at the CME Group Tour Championship.  They also discuss a couple honorable mentions, and briefly discuss the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions thats only a few weeks away. 

Ben and Kent discuss the CME Group Tour Championship, including the astounding four events it took Jin Young Ko to defend her money title, Sei Young Kim winning Rolex Player of the Year, Danielle Kang claiming the Vare Trophy, and notable career money marks. They wrap up with discussing Kent's bets of the week.