The Golf Insiders 06-24-2015

PODCAST NOTE: Listeners can tune in to iHeart Radio 740 The Game Wednesdays from 6-7 p.m. to hear The Golf Insiders live. Add The Golf Insiders podcast to your iPhone as an app. Click here and go to the bottom of the device's screen to create the "Quick Launch" icon for the Golf Insiders. Once you've done this it will add The Golf Insiders podcast as an App to your home screen. 

Holly G and Jeff Shain, PGATour.com and Prime Sports Network.com   are in the studio tonight talking about Jordan Spieth's win at the Open Championship his second consecutive Major Championship this year. The youngest winner of the U.S. Open Championship since Bobby Jones in 1922 and the first since Gene Sarazen to win two majors before turning 22.

Kudos to Mike Davis for creating the excitement that was created on the 18th by making it a Par 5 instead of a Par 4.

There was a lot of consternation about the shape of the greens during the week.

Holly and Jeff talk about Dustin Johnson's heartbreak by missing the putt on the final hole. Jeff mentioned that Dustin's putting seems like it was off for the last 3 days at Chambers Bay.

Afterwards, Dustin said he thought the 4 footer would stop before it did and then he just couldn't make the shot after.

Jeff said he counted at least 6 opportunities on the back 9 DJ could have birdied or saved par. 

Holly liked Fox's technology showing the gradation of the greens really helped viewers see just how tough the greens were for the U.S. Open. The greens were dry and fast. Dustin may have hurried his second putt on the 18th.

Even without Jordan Spieth's "A" game, he stayed patient and was able to learn. He can be competitive on any type of course and not shoot himself out of a tournament very often.

Todd Lewis, The Golf Channel, calls in to talk to Holly and Jeff about Chambers Bay and the 2015 U.S. Open Championship.  Todd said that more than anything what viewers saw on the 72nd hole is that Jordan knows how to finish a major championship and even though he double bogeyed earlier, he was able to collect himself and hold on for the win.  Todd feels that Jordan Spieth is one of the best clutch putter on the Tour.

Todd flew back with Jason Day's caddy and was able to talk about the 18th hole and what unfolded at Chambers Bay. The fact that Day's putt before Johnson's gave DJ some sort of a read that he could use, but in the end didn't seem to help.

This is the 4th time he had a chance to win a major on a Sunday for Dustin Johnson and he wasn't able to do it. Todd thought that DJ would two putt at worst and force a Monday playoff. DJ didn't stay for the ceremony and get the silver medal was an indication how badly it stung for Dustin Justin. 

Todd talked with Jason Day on Sunday night about his vertigo. Jason seemed optimistic. It's manageable but treatable. Need to find out what triggers it to help treat it. Holly suffers from a similar vertigo and there are exercises that you can do to help yourself. Holly said that it's like "the whole world is spinning" when it happens. 

Mike Purkey, Global Golf Post, calls in to talk with Holly and Jeff about the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay. The players deserve better. Mike Davis' plan was to play the Open on nothing but fescue.

Mike was talking about fescue that when the temperature rises it turns brown fescue turns brown and lays down after a while. Late in the day a 10-12 footer you have to put enough speed to make it but if you miss it rolls 4-5 feet past the hole.

Michael Grellar is from the Seattle area and is Jordan Spieth's caddy. Grellar  got married at Chambers Bay and knows the course really well.

Jeff Babineau, Golfweek, calls in to wrap up another hour of intelligent golf talk. Babineau walked along with Jason Day and Dustin Johnson the final 18. 

Babineau wrote an article for Golfweek talking about the issues to address fro Chambers Bay: better greens, keep par 5s, address the fan experience.

Holly asked Jeff about Phil Mickelson who had trouble with the putter once again and with the greens being inconsistent from the first day. Babineau feels that Phil was very frustrated (obviously) and the window is definitely closing for Phil at the U.S. Open. Holly asked Babineau about Spieth. Jeff pointed out that what's really amazing is that Jordan was able to shoot a couple rounds where he didn't have his best stuff and still hung around. Tiger used to do that always in the past but he hasn't been able to take his success from the practice green to the course. "It's mental and Tiger used to be the toughest golfer in that department for years. Tiger playing more should help.