Ep55: Scheffler on Fire, Nicks NZ Report, and Why Mark Skipped Playing Augusta for a Party

Today the gang is back together. Nick is back from Tara Iti and Te Arai in New Zealand and Mark is back from The National at Cape Schanck. And Mark is keen to find out all about Nick's experience on the New Zealand courses. Did they live up to expectations? Or did they disappoint? Nick talks us through it. He describes Tara Iti as tough, fiery and brilliant, and reckons Te Arai has nailed the experience for golfers, and for families. He explains why on the pod. This inspires Mark's Top 5 today, which is great, but also one of the more self-indulgent Top 5's we've had - the 5 courses in the world that Mark would like to play but hasn't. Does Tara Iti make his list? But all is not smooth sailing. Mark is annoyed that Nick didn't bring him back a Tara Iti or Te Arai hat. Disappointing and could threaten the future of the podcast if we don't solve this impasse.Mark raises the Players Championship, he loved it, and says Scheffler is playing at the moment so well, almost like he is on ice skates. We didn't get the reference either. And we discuss Wyndham Clark and how well he played. Mark wants to know how Nick felt standing on the 18th tee when he played TPC Sawgrass, and Nick said that the course forces you to focus on your mental game. He talks about the pressure of the island green, knowing it is coming.Nick and Mark both have some thoughts on Scheffler's putting, and feel his body is twisted, closed. We discuss. Still on the Players, US journalist Evin Priest has suggested the season should end with that tournament. Could it happen? Nick and Mark discuss.During the Top 5 Mark tells a story about trying to sneak his way into Augusta years ago, did it work? And the story of how he was offered a spot playing in Augusta but turned it down to go to a party.....oh dear. Some wonderful golf at The National at the weekend, a great way to wrap up the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia, and Mark congratulates Cameron John on a fantastic win. We chat about the Order of Merit results, and 'the bubble'. This leads us into the PING Global Results in what was a slightly quieter weekend around the world, and perhaps not the strongest week for some Aussies. Plenty of feedback, including a whack for the boys from pod listener Andrew Huntley who reckons they missed an obvious golfer in the lefty/righty conversation last week.And Nick gives a fantastic masterclass, inspired by Scottie Scheffler, on transitioning your weight into the ball when driving.We're here each week with the great support of PING, see your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting. Just like they have with Nick O'Hern, PING will help you play your best. And the Golf Clearance Outlet, great prices on the best gear. See them instore in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or Perth, or online here.Talk Birdie To Me. New episodes weekly wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and you'll never miss one! And we'd love you to share the podcast, and if you can rate and review us that would be great. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, or send a voicemail to us here. And all our Masterclass videos on YouTube here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.