The Golf Insiders 04-08-2015

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Holly G and Rich B are in the studio on the eve of the the Masters. JB Holmes beat Jordan Spieth and Johnson Wagner in a playoff at the Shell Houston Open. 

Garry Smits, Florida Times-Union talks to Holly about Tiger being loose. Way more than ever at a major championship. Holly and Garry discuss the fact that other marquee players are benefiting from Tiger Woods playing in the Masters as the focus shifts more to Tiger allowing players like Rory McIlroy and Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth to fly need the radar.  

Tiger has been working his butt off but has not been ready prior to this time.

Garry points out that in the past Tiger has always beenable to put himself against the world, or the course and build that up In his mind for motivation and take his game to a different level. 

The trio talk about the fact that Tiger is now a father and Garry says that fatherhood helped Jack Nicklaus, so maybe there's a little bit of a higher calling now for Tiger ... being a father.  Tiger may be more relaxed now.

Holly and Garry discuss Jordan Spieth. Garry states that Spieth's stats may not be earth shattering but he gets it in the hole. He is able to recover from errant shots and gives himself opportunities. He also putts well from 6-20 foot away and is able to save par. 

Kip Ingle, The Golf Auction.com, calls in from Augusta to talk to Holly about the massive global online auction. There will be more than 900 items to bid on. One of the featured items for bid is Jack Fleck's 1955 Ben Hogan 2-9 irons he used to upset Hogan. Fleck was the young professional who came from behind to beat Hogan in 1955. Considered one of the biggest upsets in golf, Fleck was a virtually unknown touring pro from Iowa. He prevented Hogan from winning a record 5th U.S. Open title forcing an 18-hole playoff at the 1955 Open, and did so using a custom made set of Ben Hogan irons. Hogan’s company began making clubs in 1953. They were the only two in the field playing with Ben Hogan clubs.

Ingle states that there will be a wide range of items including autographed golf balls, bags, flags, etc. Masters memorabilia.

The Golf Auction sold one of the original 1934 Masters tickets for more than 30k.  The online auction runs through Sunday. 

 Todd Lewis,The Golf Channel, calls in from Augusta. Lewis reported that Kevin Streelman won the Par 3 contest. His caddie was a Make A Wish recipient with inoperable cancer.

Holly asks Todd about Tiger. He says that this is definitely a different Tiger. Todd feels that Tiger is lowering the expectations of the fan. He is maturing and other reasons Tiger has changed. He points out that people want to see what's going on with Tiger's game both good and bad. 

Todd told the story of how Ben Crenshaw pulled into the Champions parking lot and Tiger Woods was there. Tiger spoke with Ben and asked him who he was playing with in his final Masters practice round. Ben said Jordan Spieth, a fellow Texan. Tiger asked Ben if he could play the practice round with them and Mr Crenshaw said yes. 

Todd's Masters picks: He likes JB Holmes and Keegan as sleepers. Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson Jimmy Walker are Todd's favorites to win Masters.

Steve Eubanks, Global Golf Post, calls in and talks with Holly about ANA Inspiration ... The first major of season for LPGA won by Brittany Lincicome. Steve said that it was one of the best competitions this year. She beat Stacey Lewis after an eagle on the 18th to force a playoff. The playoff took 3 holes.

Holly and Steve talk about the Masters, the expected weather and some of the players who Steve feels that will be in contention. He likes Jordan Spieth and Jimmy Walker. 

Holly brings up Phil Mickelson. Steve says that Phil has a masterful command of the greens at Augusta.

Rich B picked Henrik Stenson and Holly chose Matt Kuchar to win the Masters.