The Golf Insiders 05-13-2015

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Holly G and special guest host Jeff Shain from PGATour.com are in the studio talking about Rickie Fowler's win at The Players Championship winning in a three-man playoff.

It was Fowler's second win on the PGA Tour. Jeff says that it might have been the most compelling Players Championship that he has seen in the 15 years he has been covering golf. 

Holly and Jeff also talk about how the tournament was fantastic as no one who was really in contention seem to fade as with other tournaments.  There were like 12 groups that had to be watched. Jeff said that Rickie had to wait an hour to see if his numbers would hold up while waiting on everyone to finish.

Holly talks with Jeff about Kevin Kisner being so close as capturing The Players Championship. Jeff said that it seemed like Kisner's putt was going to fall but it just seemed to defy gravity and hold on preventing him from winning. 

Holly likens Kisner to Raymond Floyd and Jeff thinks he is more of a bulldog like Jim Furyk.

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in and talks with Holly and Jeff about the Players Championship. Like Holly G, Bob picked Sergio Garcia. Sergio had a two-shot lead and then Fowler caught fire. At the press conference after the event was over, Bob said that Sergio seemed okay with what happened but he's probably kicking himself for back 9 and didn't birdie either par 5s.

Kisner and Fowler birdied hole and Sergio didn't in the playoff.

Jeff asks Bob Harig about Kisner. Bob says maybe the "golf gods" owe Kisner one for how close he was with some of the putts that would just hang there and not drop. But it's not like he's been giving these tournaments away ...getting beaten by season players.

Holly and Bob talk about Rickie Fowler maybe coming in to The Players Championship under the radar. Bob sugested that maybe up until the back 9 on Sunday, Fowler was under the radar. Even though it's been talked about a lot since Fowler won his first Tour event, Bob thinks Fowler was more over-hyped not overrated.

Jeff, Bob and Holly G discuss Rickie seemingly playing his best golf in the toughest fields like the Major championships or the World Golf Championships ... rising to the competition.

Bob talked about the rise of Ian Poulter. People say he's overrated but Bob feels that Ian came from nothing and believes he's doing pretty well for someone who wasn't a star on their team before turning pro.

The young guns are stepping up and playing well with some of the older players winning too. Good for the game.

Todd Lewis, The Golf Chanel calls in and speaks with Jeff and Holly G about Fowler. Todd likes Rickie's determined play. He feels that that Butch Harmon has worked with Rickie's swing and improved it. Also has Rickie develop that killer instinct and a "go for your throat mentality" with Butch. Todd stressed that you saw that instinct in the final holes of The Players final round and the playoff.

Jeff asks Todd about Tiger and his game now. Todd is surprised that Tiger is not playing more competitive golf and feels Tiger needs to play more rounds.

Lance Ringler, Golfweek, calls in to wrap up the hour talking about the NCAA Division 1 Championships that will be played at The Concession in Bradenton, Florida.

The women's field is already set and at the time the show aired on May 13, 2015, the men had 6 regional tourneys under way.

Men's completion is unlike any other. Not really any club that have separated themselves from the rest of the pack like in years past.

Lance says that the women's side has a lot of parody too. Women going to team match play this team match play. 

Ringler commented that for first time see a team outside top 6 could win national championship in women's golf.

Lance told Holly and Jeff that it has been a long time since NCAA championships been played in Florida.