The Golf Insiders 03-18-15

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Holly G and Rich B are back in the studio on the eve of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, picking up after a winter break. Holly and Rich open season 7 talking about Jordan Spieth's win at Valspar Championship at Innisbrook. Ironically, when The Golf Insiders signed off for the year, Spieth had just won the Hero World Challenge at Isleworth. 

Holly talks about how Spieth was phenomenal in the Snake Pit for the final three holes. He won on the third hole of a three-man playoff defeating Patrick Reed and Sean O'Hair. It was Spieth's 4th professional win and his second on the PGA Tour.

Holly was at the press conference at Bay Hill and has some thoughts from Matt Every on his win at the Arnold Palmer last year and what followed.

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in from Bay Hill to talk with Holly and Rich. Bob wrote a story about parody and the first time winners this season. There have been 17 tourneys over 16 weeks and there has NOT been a repeat winner this wrap-around season.

Bob talks to Holly about how great Jordan Spieth is already and his play at the Valspar ... and he is only 21. If he stayed at Texas, he'd be just graduating this year, instead he's already won $10 million. Bob says that Spieth's second win answers a lot of questions and doubts that some naysayers had.

Holly talks to Bob about Sam Saunders, Arnold Palmer's grandson. Bob feels that how close that Saunders came in Puerto Rico helps Saunders cause in retaining his Tour card.

Just three weeks away from the Masters, Rory McIlroy is making his first appearance at Bay Hill. Holly shares some audio from Rory's press conference at Bay Hill. 

Jeff Babineau, Golfweek, calls in from Bay Hill, talking about getting back out on the tour covering. Jeff talks about some of the pros tuning up prior to the Masters. Holly talks to Jeff about Gator alum Billy Horschel and how he has been since closing out the season last year.

Rich asks Jeff about Ian Poulter's play of late and what may be the issue. Poulter put 5 balls in the water at the Honda. Jeff feels that Poulter needs to channel the Ryder Cup Poultz and bring it to the tour.

Holly asks Jeff about Ryan Moore's troubles. Babineau says that a lot of the guys have not been able to close the deal on Sundays like we were used to seeing Tiger do in the past. "It's really hard to win on the Tour or to win anywhere out here."

Holly has audio from Arnold Palmer being asked why Bay Hill and why Orlando? Palmer said that they were there before Disney.

Todd Lewis, Golf Channel, calls in from Bay Hill and talks about the conditions of the course. Todd breaks the news that Bubba Watson had just pulled out of the Arnold Palmer Invitational due to the death of a childhood friend. 

Todd talks to Holly and Rich about Rory and Tiger and where they are with their games at this point. Todd believes that no one is rooting for Tiger's return at Augusta more than Rory ... because that will take a lot of the focus off of Rory and maybe make it a little easier for him to focus on the possibility of a grand slam. Todd talks about some of the back history of Patrick Reed. "You do a lot of things when you are 17-21 years old in college. Judge the man you see now and not the boy from his past."

Holly asks who, if any of the winners on the season so far, will be the one who'd be most likely to win at the Arnold Palmer. Todd says Jason Day. "He's been playing really well and has the game for this course."

Holly mentions the Arnie series that the Golf Channel put together that was a huge hit when it first aired. The show re-aired last night and then was followed by the fourth installment in the series, Arnie & Me.  Holly G was featured in the series telling her lifelong story about The King!