The Golf Insiders Dec. 7, 2016 Complete Show

PODCAST NOTE: Listeners can tune in to iHeart Radio 740 The Game or listen in the Orlando area on FM 96.9 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. 

In the first segment of this week's hour of intelligent golf talk, Holly G, Host and Producer of The Golf Insiders, along with Will Perry, Social Media Expert for The Golf Insiders and Founder and Creative Director at EVVUS, are in the studio talking about Tiger's return to golf and his play at the Hero World Challenge won by Hideki Matsuyama. Will said one of the biggest takeaways from the event was that there was no report that Tiger was injured.

Holly and Will talk about Tiger seeming to be enjoying playing and competing for the first time in 15 months. The duo expressed to the listeners how great it was to see Tiger smiling again. 

He shot a 73 65 70 76 284 to finish in 15th place. Will mentions that the 18th hole had Tiger's number and was his undoing on 3 of the 4 rounds.

Hideki Matsuyama won the event for his fourth win in his last five starts. The other event was a second place finish.

Holly and Will also talk about Tiger's equipment and apparel as well as Monster sponsoring his bag. 

Holly picked Justin Rose to win but he ended up withdrawing due to injury. Henrik Stenson finished second while Dustin Johnson, Matt Kuchar and Rickie Fowler finished tied for third. 

In the second segment of this week's show, Holly G, and Will Perry mention some of the Tour events that are going on here in Florida. The Franklin Templeton Shootout, the Father Son Challenge, Web.com Q School that is in Winter Garden. The duo welcome long time writer for Golfweek and author Adam Schupak to the show. Holly asks Adam about his latest book "Deane Beman: Golf's Driving Force. Beman was the PGA Tour's commissioner prior to Tim Finchem. 

Holly and Adam also talk about incoming PGA Tour commissioner, Jay Monahan, and some of the issues he will have to address. Adam mentions that he thinks that there are some good changes on the horizon like the Zurich Classic becoming a team event. The two also talk about the future of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Adam, Holly and Will also discuss this week's PNC Father Son Challenge. John Daly is excited and will be showing up with John Jr.  Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino will be playing together with their sons. The event is held here in Orlando and is a fan favorite year after year. 

Holly asks Adam about the Franklin Templeton Shootout where LPGA Star Lexi Thompson is making her PGA debut. Annika Sorenstam was the last lady to play in the event. Lexi will be paired with Bryson DeChambeau. Adam said the two played together earlier this year and did well as a team.

Holly mentions that Bryson has been tinkering around with a new putting technique. Holly mentioned that L2 Putters designed the 200 gram grip that Bryson has been using and they also make a putter that is for side saddle putters. Adam interviewed Bryson and wrote an article for Golfweek about his new putting style and why he is considering it.

Adam and Holly also talk about Tiger's return to golf. Adams said that Tiger seemed pretty comfortable out there and was a nice test drive event for Tiger. 

Listeners interested in getting Adam's book can download it from the iTunes store and he has a few of the hard copies left if you get in touch with him on Twitter. @AdamSchupak 

In the third segment of the show, Holly G, and Will welcome The Golf Channel's Todd Lewis. Holly asks Todd about his thoughts on Tiger's return.

From a performance standpoint it was what Todd expected. He had good and bad days. A top 10 finish would have been a great start. He can head into the holiday break knowing that he has a lot of positives coming from the Bahamas.

More than anything for Tiger to be able to hit the reset on his body, mind and emotions. Todd doesn't feel like Tiger is Darth Vader and more like Luke Skywalker. He's becoming more of an every fan player. Todd is being cautiously optimistic as Tiger heads into his Tour schedule. 

Will talks with Todd about how Tiger moves the ratings needle like no one else.  

Tiger said that it is a process and has said it many times. If we are expecting Tiger to be in the top 5 at Torey Pines, it's a pretty lofty goal. Todd looks for Tiger to build some momentum in the summer. 

Holly talks with Todd about Matsuyama's success. Todd said that he can't begin to tell listeners how popular golf is in Japan and for Hideki to be winning like he has been is huge there. Todd recalls that it was crazy the media attention that Ryo Ishikawa garnered when he was just trying to make it on the PGA Tour.  But now Matsuyama has power, a great short game. If he can stay healthy he will be a force on the Tour in 2017 and will contend for at least one major championship, and maybe more.

In the final segment of this week's hour of intelligent golf talk, Holly and Will welcome Jeff Babineau from Golfweek to the show. Jeff talks about his trip to the Bahamas and how Tiger faired in the tournament. Jeff said that the media turnout was pretty good for a December event that is not sanctioned. We really didn't know what to expect.

Jeff said that in speaking with Tiger's friend Notah Begay and others close to Tiger that their biggest concern was Tiger walking away from the event feeling okay and not so much what his scores were. Holly mentioned Tiger's big jump in the Official World Golf Ranking. 

Holly and Jeff talked about the players enduring a long hard year and the fact that they will get about a 3 week break. 

Will asks Jeff about some of the things that Jeff has on his radar heading into 2017. Jeff said Hideki Matsuyama, Tiger, Jordan Spieth, Jason Day coming back after injury. 

Holly and Jeff talk about the Franklin Templeton Shootout, DeChambeau's new putting style and if he might win this year? They wrap up the show talking about the Father Son Chalenge.