The Golf Insiders 08/06/2014

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Holly G is in the studio with special guest host Jeff Shain, PGATour.com. 

Todd Lewis, The Golf Channel, calls in from Valhalla and says that Tiger Woods will play in the PGA Championship. The injury is a different spot in Tiger's lower back and it's not the same injury he had surgery for earlier.

Jeff asks Todd if this all seems rushed for Tiger. He tees off in 14 hours and he is out playing the back 9 at the time of this broadcast. Todd says he doesn't feel Tiger would be here if he didn't think he could play and do well. 

Tiger said that he is pain free and he is fine. Todd wants to know if Tiger "trusts" his back and his explosiveness through his swing? Todd said also that Tiger has not played well this season. 

Holly and Todd talk about Tiger and the upcoming Ryder Cup team for this year's competition. Tiger is well outside the Top 200 of the FedEx Cup spots and is not actually qualified on points for an automatic Ryder Cup birth.

Holly and Todd recap the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational results and how well Sergio, Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy all played and what it looks like for each of their chances.  Todd feels that Rory's driving ability gives him an advantage at Valhalla. He hits it so long, so straight and with little fear. 

Brian Hewitt, Global Golf Post Editor, calls in to talk to Holly G and Jeff about the PGA Championship. Brian likes Graham DeLaet and Lee Westwood for the Championship. Sergio Garcia and Graeme McDowell are two guys you have to like for the PGA Championship.

Brian talks to the duo about Tiger and his injuries and what his chances are? There was intense coverage of his warm up round earlier today. Brian thinks that any kind of survival Tiger will have to back it off a little bit and he is not sure Tiger is wired that way.

Holly talks to Brian about Charles Schwartzel and Rickie Fowler's golf games of late and their chances. 

Player of the Year seemed almost a lock for Martin Kaymer but now with Rory's success and the way Rickie Fowler has played all year it's not that easy to give it to Kaymer.

Jeff asks Brian about Butch Harmon's, One of the World's Top Golf Teachers, work with Fowler and what is different?

Jeff Babineau, Golfweek editor, calls in from the press center of Valhalla and talks about the injuries to some of the players in the field. Holly asks about Jason Dufner and what has been going on with his game of late and his chances for the Ryder Cup team?

Steve Stricker was named one of the vice captains of the Ryder Cup team. Jeff Shain and Babineau talk about the Ryder Cup team and the last Ryder Cup for the U.S. has left a bad taste in a lot of the player's mouths. Babineau feels that Rory is the golfer to pick to win the PGA Championship. Maybe Keegan Bradley as a sleeper.

Biggs Tabler, Those Weekend Golf Guys, radio show from Louisville, Kentucky calls in and talks about No. 13, the signature hole at Valhalla. About 350+ yards and Rory tried to drive the hole today during the practice round about he hit his 3 Wood first. Biggs talks about the course layout at Valhalla. 

Jeff picks Rory as his number one choice to win the PGA Championship but is "rooting" for Rickie Fowler as Holly roots for Sergio Garcia.