The Golf Insiders 05/07/14

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Holly G and Rich Bianco are in the studio talking about the upcoming Players Championship just up the road in Ponte Vedra, Fla. this week. Also the U.S. Open Qualifier was at Timacuan for the fourth time in five years.

Sean Gorgone, The Whole Game of Golf, calls in to talk about qualifying for the U.S. Open. He shot a 71 and finished in a playoff spot for an alternate spot.  

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in from the press center at The Players Championship. Bob says that the PGA is almost assured of getting a new #1 in OWGR this week at The Players. If Adam Scott, Bubba Watson, Henrik Stenson or Matt Kuchar play well enough this week they could take over the top spot from Tiger Woods who is currently rehabbing his back. 

Holly and Bob talk about JB Holmes win at the Wells Fargo last week and everything that he's been through over the past few years.  Brain surgery, injuring himself roller blading, elbow surgery etc. Bob's pick to win this week is Matt Kuchar.

Todd Lewis, The Golf Channel, calls in and talks to Holly and Rich about The Players. Holly asks about Bubba Watson and other PGA starts like Jordan Spieth. Todd talks about Jordan's drive, emotion, etc. Todd and Holly discuss Adam Scott. He's never been #1 in the World both times, Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Masters, he was in contention he didn't play well. It's been a conscious distraction. Holly asks about all the first timers at The Players this year and their chances as well as recent winner Lee Westwood. Todd finishes up talking about Phil Mickelson's adjustment to his putter grip with the help of Dave Stockton. 

Steve DiMeglio, USA Today, calls in for the first time on The Golf Insiders to talk to Holly about from The Players. For years at the Wednesday competition of The Players Championship, each player contributed to a prize fund, with some of the money going to charity and the rest going to the caddie who ended up closest to the pin.

"This year, the competition honors the late Bruce Edwards, who Jim 'Bones' Mackay said was "the Arnold Palmer of caddies." Edwards, the longtime friend and caddie for Tom Watson, passed away in 2004 from ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). On the 10th anniversary of his death, the PGA Tour will match all donations on the 17th, with all the money going to the Bruce Edwards Foundation."

Steve feels that Matt Kuchar is hot coming into the tournament and also feels that Jordan Spieth and Sergio Garcia have a good chance at winning this event. Steve also stresses that all could miss the cut because the course has you on your toes every single round. "It's hard to get a rhythm for four days."

Garry Smits, Florida Times Union, calls in to give listeners the conditions of the course. The greens on 4, 9, 11, 12 and 13 were over chemically treated. Nos. 4, 11 and 12 the players were not allowed to practice on them prior to the Wed event. Some were re-sodded and plugged. Garry says the greens are really soft because they've been watering them a lot.