The Loop

A short-lived but lively chat with Ben Higgins, of “The Bachelor” fame, highlights this week’s episode. Higgins, now better known as a celebrity golfer, tells us how he got over a recent bout of the S-words (rhymes with thanks), and how his hole-in-one from last March ended up being one of the cheaper holes-in-one we’ve ever heard of. Plus, the boys make their Hero World Challenge and NFL Week 13 picks, and rank the five best things they ate on Thanksgiving weekend.

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On a slow golf week, Augusta National made major news with the significant changes the club has made to its iconic par-5 13th hole. Alex, Steve and Christopher debate whether or not the extra length makes the hole better or worse, and whether or not it will still be a momentous hole on the back nine on Sunday. Plus, we discuss Jon Rahm’s comments on the Official World Golf Ranking, the rigged format at Golf Digest’s annual Seitz Cup and Lydia Ko’s massive payday on the LPGA. Finally, we make our NFL Week 12 picks, which include a double crossfire on one of Thanksgiving’s main events: Lions vs. Bills.

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Former tour winner turned teaching pro Stan Utley joins this week’s episode of the podcast and reveals how he was able to pull off the impossible - fixing Charles Barkley’s golf swing. Utley, once known as a short game and putting guru, is now best known for repairing the Round Mound of Rebound’s hitch, which has gained him all sorts of cred in the teaching pro streets. He’s also worked with the likes of Jay Haas, Rocco Mediate, and Sergio Garcia, who Utley believes is a far better putter than he’s been given credit for in his career. Alex and Steve also recap a huge hit on Tony Finau at the Houston Open, and we make our RSM and NFL picks.

As always, check GolfDigest.com for our full array of gambling content, including picks from our anonymous caddie, Pat Mayo of DraftKings/Mayo Media Network; Rick Gehman of RickRunGood.com; Brandon Gdula of numberFire/FanDuel; and Lee Alldrick of FanShareSports.

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Former NFL running back Danny Woodhead joins this week’s episode to recap his epic week as a club tester at the Golf Digest Hot List, where he hit thousands of golf shots with all the latest and greatest sticks (00:17:05). Plus, he gives us an A+ Bill Belichick story from his time in New England, and dishes on the biggest “trap game” of his career, which involves a request from his wife. Finally, the boys make their Houston Open and NFL Week 10 picks, and CP and Steve break down their golf rounds with an Emmy-winning actor and recent podcast guest Doug Smith.

As always, check GolfDigest.com for our full array of gambling content, including picks from our anonymous caddie, Pat Mayo of DraftKings/Mayo Media Network; Rick Gehman of RickRunGood.com; Brandon Gdula of numberFire/FanDuel; and Lee Alldrick of FanShareSports.

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Fresh off caddieing in last week’s Bermuda Championship, ESPN+ and Golf Channel announcer Doug Smith joins The Loop to tell us about the experience. He’s also played Tony Finau for cash recently (only getting one a side!), so Smith tells us what it’s like to play with Finau. Plus, he has some hilarious stories from the 2000 PGA Championship at Valhalla when he almost took out Jim Furyk in the parking lot and got quite a death stare from Tiger Woods. Plus, the boys celebrate their first Victory Cigar moment in a long time (courtesy of Cuvana) after hitting a college-football total and going a combined 7-2 last week in the NFL.

As always, check GolfDigest.com for our full array of gambling content, including picks from our anonymous caddie, Pat Mayo of DraftKings/Mayo Media Network; Rick Gehman of RickRunGood.com; Brandon Gdula of numberFire/FanDuel; and Lee Alldrick of FanShareSports.

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Germany’s Yannik Paul joins the pod fresh off his maiden DP World Tour win at the Mallorca Open, where he drained a long birdie putt on the 72nd hole to secure a one-shot victory. The 28-year-old broke down his wild final round and told us about his future goals, which include making the 2023 European Ryder Cup team. Plus, the boys have a New York Yankees funeral, Alex recaps a tough Golf Digest Match Play Championship loss, and we make our Week 8 NFL picks and preview the Butterfield Bermuda Championship.

As always, check GolfDigest.com for our full array of gambling content, including picks from our anonymous caddie, Pat Mayo of DraftKings/Mayo Media Network; Rick Gehman of RickRunGood.com; Brandon Gdula of numberFire/FanDuel; and Lee Alldrick of FanShareSports.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Three-time major champion Padraig Harrington joins us and reminds us that there may be nobody better to talk golf with than him. We covered everything from his burgeoning PGA Tour Champions career to his run at the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island and much more. He even eloquently answered one of the dumber injury-related questions ever asked (blame CP). Plus, we make our Week 7 NFL picks, CP hits a monster parlay, Steve goes in on the PGA Tour’s lack of ShotLink data in Japan, and we break down what should be a must-see CJ Cup at Congaree in South Carolina.

As always, check GolfDigest.com for our full array of gambling content, including picks from our anonymous caddie, Pat Mayo of DraftKings/Mayo Media Network; Rick Gehman of RickRunGood.com; Brandon Gdula of numberFire/FanDuel; and Lee Alldrick of FanShareSports.

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Former NFL lineman turned podcaster Ross Tucker joins us to break down a wild week of football, which featured some bogus roughing the passer penalties. He also tells us a hilarious story of Bill Parcells telling him to pack his bags after he got hurt playing golf. Plus, the boys make their Week 6 NFL picks, bow to now two-time PGA Tour winner Tom Kim and look ahead to the Zozo Championship.

As always, check GolfDigest.com for our full array of gambling content, including picks from our anonymous caddie, Pat Mayo of DraftKings/Mayo Media Network; Rick Gehman of RickRunGood.com; Brandon Gdula of numberFire/FanDuel; and Lee Alldrick of FanShareSports.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Two-time All Star and World Series champ Derek Lowe joins the pod to break down the upcoming MLB playoffs and to take issue with everybody pitching around Aaron Judge during his chase for 62 home runs. Lowe, a top golfer on the celebrity circuit, also recaps his stunning win over legendary LPGA pro Annika Sorenstam in the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions last January. Plus, the boys make NFL Week 5 picks, which leads to a spirited debate about a certain New York Giants quarterback.

As always, check GolfDigest.com for our full array of gambling content, including picks from our anonymous caddie, Pat Mayo of DraftKings/Mayo Media Network; Rick Gehman of RickRunGood.com; Brandon Gdula of numberFire/FanDuel; and Lee Alldrick of FanShareSports. 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sam Harrop, the voice of Golf Twitter, joins us fresh off his epic week at the Presidents Cup. He gives us an inside look at how his appearance in Charlotte came to be and tells us how the sausage gets made when it comes to his famous golf songs. Our own Alex Myers also performs a live rendition of a Billy Joel classic in honor of Harrop and International team star Tom Kim. Plus, the boys recap the U.S. team’s win, handing out superlatives for biggest surprise, biggest disappointment, biggest what-if and MVP. Lastly, we made our NFL Week 4 and Sanderson Farms picks.

As always, check GolfDigest.com for our full array of gambling content, including picks from our anonymous caddie, Pat Mayo of DraftKings/Mayo Media Network; Rick Gehman of RickRunGood.com; Brandon Gdula of numberFire/FanDuel; and Lee Alldrick of FanShareSports.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.