Special guest Sophie Walker, former professional player on the Ladies European Tour and now an analyst with Sky Sports and BBC Five Live joins us to preview golf's very first major of the season.
The Ladies Professional Golf Association (the LPGA) has its first major championship on April 1 - 4th, 2021. Held each year at the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at the Mission Hills Resort in Rancho Mirage (Palm Springs, California), it traditionally provides exciting events and the 2020 championship is proof of that.
Reigning Champion, Mirim Lee made an Eagle on the 72nd hole of the tournament to tie two of the LPGA's biggest stars in Brooke Henderson and Nelly Korda. Lee won the championship on the first playoff hole to produce one of the more stunning finishes in the ANA's history.
This year, she is back to defend against the best players in all of women's golf. Sophie Walker shares her unique perspective with us as we preview the course, the infamous "Blue Wall", and the players to watch for.
If you are in a fantasy golf pool, you will definitely not want to miss this episode.
Special guest Sophie Walker, former professional player on the Ladies European Tour and now an analyst with Sky Sports and BBC Five Live joins us to preview golf's very first major of the season.
The Ladies Professional Golf Association (the LPGA) has its first major championship on April 1 - 4th, 2021. Held each year at the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at the Mission Hills Resort in Rancho Mirage (Palm Springs, California), it traditionally provides exciting events and the 2020 championship is proof of that.
Reigning Champion, Mirim Lee made an Eagle on the 72nd hole of the tournament to tie two of the LPGA's biggest stars in Brooke Henderson and Nelly Korda. Lee won the championship on the first playoff hole to produce one of the more stunning finishes in the ANA's history.
This year, she is back to defend against the best players in all of women's golf. Sophie Walker shares her unique perspective with us as we preview the course, the infamous "Blue Wall", and the players to watch for.
If you are in a fantasy golf pool, you will definitely not want to miss this episode.
Good afternoon and welcome to our show. We're talking golf. My name is Douglas Maida and I'm your host for this show. Well, it has definitely been a slow start to the golf season. But now that we are officially into springtime, things are beginning to heat up. And that can only mean one thing in the golf world, the start of major season. Of course, for many that means the Masters where some of gold small story traditions began. For the LPGA however, it is the ANA Inspiration, which is the first major of the entire golf season. So today's show will focus on the ANA Inspiration, which starts next week. Joining me today will be Sophie Walker, who has been a regular guest on our show. In our first segment, we'll be reviewing some of the Gulf action from this past weekend on the PGA and European tours. And then in our second segment, we will focus on the LPGA and the an inspiration. Or for many of you who will recall what has traditionally been known as the dinosaur classic. Now before we get to that, we have a message from our sponsor.
Amy (Studio):Today's show is being recorded from our studio in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. We are produced by the world of golf. You can find us on the worldwide web at www dot world of golf.org or on our social media channels, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and now on LinkedIn. For those of you in Asia and elsewhere, you can also follow us on Weibo and WeChat. We are proud to announce that we're talking golf has been recognized as one of the top 40 PGA and LPGA golf podcasts to follow in 2021. Now, back to our show. Here is your host, Douglas maeder.
Douglas Maida:We're back. Thank you for staying with us. I'd like to take this time to thank you, our listeners and followers from around the world who listen to our show on a regular basis. Without you we would not be able to bring you this show. So thank you again for your continued support. Now in the world of golf this past weekend, the PGA Tour continued with its Florida swing, having played the Arnold Palmer classic a few weeks ago, and just this past weekend, finished up the Honda classic in Palm Beach at the PGA national, where Matt Jones had broken wings drought, with a comfortable five shot margin of victory. The European tour was also an auction at the Kenya open. And we'll discuss that in a little bit with Sophie. Now joining us on zoom from Manchester England is Sophie Walker. For our regular listeners, you will know Sophie as a former professional player on the ladies European tour. And now as an analyst with Sky Sports in the UK. Welcome back to the show. Sophie.
Sophie Walker:Hey, thanks for having me.
Douglas Maida:Our pleasure, her pleasure. So you're getting a little bit of the golf bug, which I'm quite sure as you're a lockdown situation in the UK is coming to an end very quickly. Probably not quickly enough.
Sophie Walker:Oh, lockdown is nowhere near and then we're just going to be allowed outside. Yeah, lockdown doesn't end till July. Maybe? Um, yeah. The Gulf will be open in England as of Monday the 29th. And, yeah, it's more annoying that it's open in Scotland or Wales already. So you're seeing people on the golf course. But yeah, you know, it's it's one of those things it's we can't do anything about it now. When it when Boris announced that in January, four months seemed a long, long time away. So what's a couple more days, right?
Douglas Maida:Yeah, I saw I can't remember where I saw it. One website or somebody on Instagram had both done they had a countdown clock on till till the courses opening in England. So yeah, I thought that was rather cute. So Sophie, you're quite a busy person. Let's chat a little bit about some of your other activities. I know you're doing some work with golf a lot. You're doing some some work on fantasy golf pools and things of that nature.
Sophie Walker:Yeah. So fantasy golf is with the European tour. So they have a race to Dubai, just like most all seem to have now. So that's what theirs is called. And they have a fantasy race to Dubai as well. So similar to the PGA Tour one, it's maybe a little bit more simpler. You just pick six eligible players. So for instance, when it's World Golf Championships, everyone would love to pick Dustin Johnson, but he's not a member of the European tours. They have to pick members of the European tour. So Myself and Kate Alexander. Every week we do our expert picks and do a YouTube video and just talk through what who would suggest why would suggest them we kind of do all the hard work for people and and then you pick your six and you don't have to pick. You don't have like a transfer Kitty, you can pick anyone. So yeah, you can just pick the best players on the world ranking if you want or you can pick your, you know, your favorite ones. That's been good. And then golf a lot is a review channel. It's owned by how did I do, which is a app over here that you book your tee times on basically, and they help run golf courses in general, as in the tills locker rooms. You know, like when you have a card that you put all your stuff on the on the card. So yeah, that's pretty cool golf that's really taken off this last year. It's nice that they've got me involved. We're doing some women's golf club reviews, which I don't think enough companies maybe do and especially now the big manufacturers are actually yeah, taking note, I suppose and that the big manufacturers are producing the kit. So it's up for tours to kind of get it out there.
Douglas Maida:So who would your picks be at the WCG this week, if you don't mind me asking?
Sophie Walker:Well, interesting. Like, it wasn't Justin Thomas. And that is a good thing because he is getting pretty badly beat right now. So yeah, there's been a couple of groups of death. So but I did have Jon Rahm to bounce back. I felt like Obviously, these not potted very well, but everything else has been pretty solid. So yeah, Jon Rahm was one. You can't pick Speith I don't think but. And then, Bryson, you know, what I like about Bryson is they cares? Like it is. Sometimes we match play, you can get that down that you just kind of give up. Or if you're missing a court, you can just give up. But I feel like that is a good thing that Bryson has his mentality. He never lets himself let himself down if you know what I mean. Yeah, for us, for his britse. And Rory struggles, quite difficult. But hey, you know, as long as he wins the Masters, we're all happy, right?
Douglas Maida:Yes, I'm sure that will be quite the celebration. That would be quite the celebration for sure. What about somebody like Patrick Reed? Is he still a member of the European tour?
Sophie Walker:Yeah, he's in my team. And somebody that just is born for match play. So I actually picked Ryan Palmer as well, just because he's played really solid this year. Like, he's a good player, Ryan Palmer, and they just need guys that are going to hang around like consistent players. Because you know, you're playing Wednesday to Sunday. So that's wings. Got it.
Douglas Maida:How does it work? If you don't mind me asking -- for a match play situation like this? I mean, do you pick a certain group and you accumulate points? And then whoever?
Sophie Walker:No, no, it's just straight. It's not it's just so you. There's 8000 registered or buy points available for this week. So it's all just got a race to the buy points. Perfect. Yeah.
Douglas Maida:That's very terrific. All right. Well, this past week, we had a couple of interesting events for the PGA Tour. They were in Florida as part of their Florida swing, the Honda classic in Palm Beach, Florida. And Matt Jones -- Australian player Matt Jones, who's been on tour for a little while broke his drought and won by a comfortable five shots. Did you catch any of it by chance? Or any thoughts about that?
Sophie Walker:Yeah, I just think it's hype when you talk about a drought of year it's not won for seven years, but I feel like somebody like Matt Jones, he just just hangs around the whole time and it's a bit horses for courses with him he's got to find a course which suits him and him the dead the green started to bake it was windy. And it really suited his game and and it just shows that the quality of the PGA Tour and how deep it goes. So I don't like the term journeyman and all that type of thing but there's just such a massive pool of players I mean, the guy that came second only got in on a Wednesday right? So that there is certain tournament's where it's just like anybody can win and I feel 100 obviously didn't have the greatest field because of where its position those type of events you get, you get guys like a Matt Jones or even like Corey Connors the other year that they just come through and and take it just because of how how good the quality is. I mean, those last four holes on the They're tough and, you know, to fist pump hitting it on the green. Like, as soon as he did that, and seven feet, it's like, yeah, that's one there. So it's a real battle hunger, especially in the wind. And he handled it really well and just didn't give anyone else a chance.
Douglas Maida:That's true. So with the Honda classic, and Matt Jones playing well, he's earned his ticket to the Masters. How do you think, he's a bit of a streaky player? Is he not? Or is he too much of a horse for a course type of situation?
Sophie Walker:I mean, he hits a good draw, which will suit Augusta? I don't know like, you can't, you can't pick anybody outside the top 30 in the world for the Masters really. And you look at the stats, if you're not in the top 10 or 11 players strokes gained or stroke average. There's there's no point. So sorry, that like if you're not looking at those types of, you know, the bookies favorites, then they're the Masters is one of those fields that isn't open, isn't it? There's only 84 playing it's 25%. And then you can disregard because they're rookies amateurs or ex champions. So yeah, that's I think the Masters is one of the easiest to pick who are going to win as in just that, that group of players. I don't see I don't see a breakthrough from anyone else.
Douglas Maida:Do you have somebody you think who might be peaking at the right time to play and compete at the Masters?
Sophie Walker:Well, like those type of stats, I mean, it's JT, it's Dustin, I can't see Bryson making the same mistakes as he did last year, I think you'll learn from them. But if you want like a little bit of an outsider, and when I say outsider, it's only like 25 to ones. They're my outsiders. It's kind of Webb Simpson, Patrick Cantlay. Those guys really fit the mold. And the stats. Yeah, I mean, I would love Rory, Spieth or Westwood to win. But I mean, I think that's probably
Douglas Maida:He's been on a really good roll.
Sophie Walker:Yeah. But yeah, he has. We all know what the oldest major winner has ever been. And he's older than him. So.
Douglas Maida:But you never know exactly. What's the beauty of it, you still have to play it. So the European tour was in Kenya this past weekend, staying there, again, for another event. Not the biggest draw on the European tour, but important that it's bringing golf to other parts of the world as part of its mandate. And I think that's fantastic. Any thoughts about that event? And are many players using that who aren't in the WC g as a prep for Augusta? Hopefully, or?
Sophie Walker:No, you won't ... yeah, if I mean, if you're in the WCC, or in the gosta, there won't be many there that are that at all. So it's very much the challenge tour and maybe outside the top people that don't play much Race to Dubai, like get through to the finals. But that equally that that's important. Talking about people haven't won for a while Justin Harding won. And you can see how much that means to him. So these these events are vital to keep the tours going and to keep these players going. And they're down there two weeks in a row in Kenya, they'll be really well looked after the place looks great. And yeah, we you need the 140 550 players week in week out to keep everything going, you know, that that the WCG are amazing, but like we were talking before, there's a pool of players that, you know, like the likes of Kurt Kitayama, you know, really changed his career around my career back on coming on to the European tour, sorry, you know, lost his Korn ferry tour card a couple of years ago, came over to Europe never played in Europe before. And then he's won a couple of times. So it's important. It can really, you know, help Brookes Koepka out, didn't it? And he's not done too bad.
Douglas Maida:Right, well, and that's where Brooks Koepka went and played before he really, really came back on onto the mat came back made it onto the PGA and that is success ever since. We're going to take a short commercial break at the moment and when we come back, Sophie and I will be discussing the ANA inspiration, the first major of the season in all of golf season, and the first LPGA major.
Amy (Studio):Did you know that at the world of golf, we bring you up to date coverage of the LPGA major championships. With the ANA Inspiration next week, be sure to check out our tournament coverage at www.worldofgolf.org. That's www.worldofgolf.org. You will find a preview of the event and stories from the media days, there will be round summaries and highlights. And we have great little details like the weather for Rancho Mirage along with other tournament information, so be sure to check it out at the world of golf. Now, back to our show.
Douglas Maida:Welcome back. Thank you for staying with us. Now. We're on to the ANA Inspiration. As I said before the break the first major of the entire golf world, both Men's and Women's Professional Golf. And it's being held at Mission Hills Resort in Rancho Mirage, California. And like the Masters Tournament, it is the only major-- I shouldn't say that -- Now with the inclusion of the Evian, it is now one of two major events on Women's Professional Golf that is played at the same course each and every year. So Sophie, do you have any opening thoughts about this year's any inspiration, especially coming off? Such a late playing last year because the COVID break? And then with KPMG in October in the US Open in December?
Sophie Walker:Yeah. Well, we all know the last 12 months has been anything but normal. But seeing the ANA back in this day makes life feel a little bit more normal fits in the schedule nicely after the KIA and I know it's an event that the players really look forward to it's got so much history behind it. And yeah, we were saying it's like a gusto in the sense that we all know the golf course I've never played Mission Hills, but I feel like I know it. And and it's a big deal, isn't it for these players? And I definitely think it's a big deal for the Americans as well.
Douglas Maida:Yeah, there's a lot of history there. It is the oldest championship on the LPGA well that and the the other two(USWO & PGA Championship) but its history is kind of rooted very much in Dinah Shore and her legacy and women's golf, and Women's Professional Golf. Always remember that event being known as the Dinah Shore Classic. And just the legacy that Dinah Shore had with women's golf. not too dissimilar, I think from the legacy that Bing Crosby had. And Bob Hope had decades earlier with helping men's professional golf in America develop and become a bit more of a stable and recognizable force in in sports and entertainment and North America. So I've always looked forward to it. I don't know if Dinah Shore was as well known offshore as she was here in North America, but a wonderful history. She was such an entertainer, and it was always a joy to watch, particularly my memories of that are in the 70s with all the flashy clothing and all the women's attire and kind of like a heyday of golf, if you will, at that time, or one of its golden years in women's golf. So no "Blue Wall" this year. Sophie, what do you think that's gonna do? I'm silent some of the critics from last year or introduce a whole new element of risk reward that hadn't been there for years.
Sophie Walker:Yeah, I mean, is there gonna be fans there? I'm not too sure about the COVID rules and stuff over there. But it it didn't make sense last year because there was no crowd to sit around the back of it. And it's basically like a big sponsorship board. Which, obviously, when, you know, we saw the 18th hole and I know that 18th hole for Karrie Webb holding out from the fairway, Lydia Ko, sticking it in close just to beat England's Charlie Hull. I don't want to know it as all you remember when Brooke Henderson hit it underneath there or Mirim Lee ricocheted off of the back, chipped in and won the top like, you can't have that on the 18th green. And I'm like, it's one of those things that I've never really understood why it was there. And thankfully, it's gone now. What I would say is that I would like to see that team moved up when it is moved up. Because to come in there with 5-woods, 3-woods, it's not a green which will take one of those it doesn't sit at your that green, it's very flat. And so it's quite easy to just to skip over through the back. So if it's a three shorter than it's a three shot or when it plays, what five over 550 yards, I think normally, but when it gets moved forward, it needs to be able to take a hybrid or you know, an Ann Van Damme with a 6-iron or a 5-iron, else nobody's going to go for it. You know, the only reason a lot of these players do go for it is because talks about backboard.
Douglas Maida:Right, right. It's not as penalizing.
Sophie Walker:Well, no, it doesn't go in the water, so it's definitely not penalizing.
Douglas Maida:Okay, understatement. Yeah, I don't think there's going to be fans at the ANA this year. So I think it makes a little bit more of a more sense to take that wall, especially when it started to become the talking point last year after, after the championship. How would you find it? So if you if you were playing in an event like that, and there's no fans? Do you still have the same sort of excitement as a major? Does it still sort of have that major feeling?
Sophie Walker:Do you think it was never any fans watching me so I'd be quite used to it.
Douglas Maida:Don't be so self-deprecating.
Sophie Walker:I think a lot of players enjoy walking down 18 and high fiving the fans as they walk over the bridge on Poppy's Pond, but because of how long it's been going on, everybody's used to it now. It's not something we want to get used to. But yeah, I think for the players, especially the ones that have been there for so many years, I think it's just a shame that the fans have actually become friends, I suppose. So to not be able to, to stay with who you normally stay with, or to have the family that have been watching you for, you know, 10 years and stuff like that, that's got to be difficult. And then going on to win to it. It's not an anticlimax by any means for the person that wins it. But just to look back at the end on the photos, and the you know, the jumping into poppies upon without doing it in front of everybody, all that type of thing. But it's the world that we live in right now. And it's not like if you Google it in 20 years time, there's a little mark next to it saying literally one that hey, there was no fans. So it's not as important. Like this is not the case. It's it's still coming down the stretch players are still going to be feeling it. And, but yeah, we want fans back as quickly as possible. But fortunately, not yet.
Douglas Maida:That's very important I think -- the point you made about looking back in history or something like that, there's not going to be an asterisk next to it about the fans. Maybe it asterisk explaining why it was played at a different time of the year, but I think that would be about it. This week, the players are in Carlsbad for the KIA Classic. Who do you think you should be looking for? To do well are kind of prime themselves in preparation for the ANA next week.
Sophie Walker:There's only one player that I'll be watching this week at the key classic. And that is Michelle Wie. Because she moved the needle in women's golf and she's come back she's had a baby. I swing looks so smooth. Like it's rhythmical. It looks great. So yeah, I think she will. We'll definitely take more of the viewership. We want to know how she gets on. I mean, who knows? The week nobody knows. But that I think that's nice that she's come back. I think she's teeing it up at ama as well. And I suppose it depends how you look at it. I think some people might, you know, might see this as a warm up for next week. But I don't I think it's a totally different tournament. People are getting into time difference now. So the Europeans that are out there, the Charlie Hulls have flown out there. There, they need to get on the right time zone. And they want to play this way in for the ANA. But if you win the care classic, then yeah, you're gonna you're gonna feel pretty good. Aren't you going into going into ANA so I was, you know, usual suspects that started well. The Korda sisters, Danielle Kang just signed a deal with Titleist, which is great. I mean, they're obviously going out with each other for best part 12 years. And I've finally decided to tie the knot for whatever reason. So that's pretty cool. And But yeah, I think it's really early in the season, isn't it right now. So it's unusual to almost have a major without that much golf going on. So we could see a surprise, I suppose.
Douglas Maida:Yeah, you're absolutely right. Because this year, again, being a little bit different, we missed the Australian swing, which would have been an opportunity to see some of the players and how well they're starting to perform and peak for the springtime. So my thoughts about the KIA Classic, it's a pretty demanding course. It's gonna place a bit of a premium on shotmaking in terms of getting off the tee nicely, because the rough is pretty penal in Carlsbad, at least at this this time of the year where you know, you have your most moisture. I think it's going to be a very interesting, but you're right. I don't think, I think the KIA Classic in and of itself stands on its own and doesn't necessarily -- it's not necessarily used as a preparatory event into something. I mean, obviously, you want to play it because you want to have some rounds under your belt before you hit Rancho Mirage. But I think it's of significant stature that people want to win this in their own right and, and put that title in their resume. So what about, you mentioned Charlie and Lydia a couple moments ago. What are your thoughts about Charlie? She swinging the club pretty well, she's at least some of the videos I've seen of her in practice looks like she's getting really sharp and sharpening up her game. Any thoughts on her or any of the other European contingent?
Sophie Walker:Yeah, Charlie, I mean, she looks like she's swinging a bit slow doesn't change she needs to stop holding back I think.
Douglas Maida:Well, yeah, yeah, I was gonna say but it kind of looks like she's . . .
Sophie Walker:I'm joking, she gives he rips it.
Douglas Maida:No, I know. She was gonna say yeah, she's looking a little smoother. I thought,
Sophie Walker:Ah, Charlie, Charlie, like a personality. A personality is a golf swing. A golf swing. And I love that about her. She's a fast talker. She's a fast Walker and she swings it fast. It's great. I mean, this is by far her favorite major to perform well in we already spoke about that the second to Lydia, Lydia Ko when she's at a tide seventh tide six as well in the past qualified there as an amateur. So this court really suits Charlie because it is a bombers track, isn't it really the ANA, the rough will be grown up, I'm sure that you need to hit the ball well of the tee and the greens bake out. So you need to be able to hold them and she hits it high enough with so much spin, like the spin and the launch that she generates on the golf ball is is up there with. I mean, it's like watching a guy sometimes on the range is really, really impressive. And you know, she was 25 at the weekend. So maybe a bit of a late birthday present for that. That she she's always the one that you kind of look for out of the Brits, I suppose at the ANA just because she's got such a good record.
Douglas Maida:What do you think the keys will be for her to perform well at the ANA?
Sophie Walker:I mean, it's a consistency thing, really with Charlie. I know she likes coming home. But I do think bouncing around can be it can be difficult coming back and forth to over to America. But she seems to she seems to be getting quite used to that now. So for me, Charlie just needs to hole a few putts. And just to kind of limit limit the mistakes sometimes that Charlie ... she, she throws in a mistake out of nowhere. So but I think with maturity and this course, she now played it so many times. Has got to help, hasn't it? You're gonna learn from your mistakes. And I'm sure her and Adam will do.
Douglas Maida:What do you think about Jinyoung Ko -- previous winner didn't play last year? I mean, at the ANA, now she's back. I mean, she was looking pretty good when ...with the events that she's been playing. I mean, it just like she didn't seem to miss a skip at all. Just boom, back into it. And she's writing contention all over again.
Sophie Walker:Yeah, I mean, she was playing in Korea, so she just didn't play LPGA she chose to stay and play KLPGA wanna share ton of money and then gave it all to charity, which was pretty nice of her. So yeah, just because they're not playing over on the LPGA doesn't mean that they're not playing at all. And so a few a few of the Korean players decided to stay to stay over there. But funnily enough, they came back to the CME and they didn't fancy missing that. So yeah, Jinyoung Ko just she's good at everything. I think that's there isn't a standout. You know, you look at Inbee Park and you think oh, wow, she puts good or Lexi think why she's a mile. Jinyoung Ko is just is just an frontload she's better than good. She's brilliant at every single aspect of her game. Multiple major winner. And, yeah, you've got to look for her to be right at the top. I think if you finish above her, you could be jumping into Poppies Pond.
Douglas Maida:Yeah, I think you're quite right about that. I agree wholeheartedly. She, like she doesn't have a weakness in her game. She's very strong at just about every single aspect of her game. I mean, I can't think of one that she hasn't really excelled. I mean, she might not hit it the farthest. But she's got enough distance off the tee and she's always in the fairway more or less so that she's giving herself a chance and her game seems to be not to hurt herself, and, and then be there to capitalize when the opportunities arise. So somebody Also just come back this year for the first time in quite a few months. I think it's 15 months is Hyo Joo Kim. Now, the last we saw of her in 2019, I believe it was she had one heck of a year. Was it 2019 or 2018, where we had that multiple winners year with regards to some of the trophies at the season ending honors. And I looked at some of her playing record in Korea this past year, and she's just been continuing that form -- just blistering along. So have you any thoughts about how she might come back and kind of just miss not miss a beat and just keep on going as well?
Sophie Walker:Yeah, the Korean contingent is so strong right now. And they are fighting to get into this Olympic team in Tokyo, it means so much to them. So I would expect them all to be playing in as much as possible with World Rankings available and playing as well as possible also,
Douglas Maida:Which leads us to another one of the Korean powerhouse players of the last couple of years and Sei Young Kim -- a second major perhaps in the offing?
Sophie Walker:Oh, yeah, I mean, this is a big time player isn't it? I really, really enjoy watching it up tell by the way, my voice changes, just that you know, like at CME, like you play like this is like millions of dollars that you're going for here and it just doesn't seem to faze her, she really enjoys putting yourself under pressure situations. Whereas I do think a lot of players are less comfortable in those situations you look in the men's games someone like Tony Finau. Now you can see him almost he tightens up and have the pressure of winning and put even seen that I think with Lydia Ko recently, you know, she's got in in that position, she can tighten up go backwards. Whereas this player is somebody that just almost seems to get better, the more in the fight that she is like, it's like, get me there. And I'm even more comfortable. And also, like when you talk about not wanting to make mistakes, I feel like she's a little bit braver as well, -- she will go for that bit more and be a little bit kind of carefree if it comes off or not like she's sensible, and in the most part of our game, but if you need to pull off a shot, when it counts, she will go for it. Like if she needs to hit it onto the 18th green in two and she's in between, you know, she's gonna step up and take the shirt off. And the chances are, she's probably going to pull it off. And that was kind of like about her,
Douglas Maida:Yeah, I'll never forget that when she was first on tour. That image of her is just ingrained in my memory -- seeing her first of all, when she chipped in on 18 to tie Inbee Park and then they went to a playoff and then from the fairway -- she stuffed it from the fairway and just the personality she brings to the course I just you know, it's very infectious watching and you just can't help but stand up and cheer that player when she's up there and just 'go, go go'. I mean, I just love watching her play. She's fearless in that respect. Yeah,
Sophie Walker:She sure is.
Douglas Maida:Yeah. You mentioned Danielle Kang, she's had a little bit of a slow start. Do you think her games moving in the right direction? And what do you think some of the keys are going to be for her going forward? As we prep for ANA. I mean,
Sophie Walker:I mean, slow start that she didn't win twice on the comeback because I mean, stroke average is 69. Putting the lights out and -- 'Okay, yeah, she's had only a top 10' or something. Yeah, she's not played that much like she's, she's well up there on the race to the CMA. So yeah. She stayed hot coming back after the COVID, obviously. But she's a big time prior. And she will be she will be up there that that is for sure. And I was saying about how much this means the players. It means a lot to her majors. She plays well in America majors, her record everything. And the British (Open) is shocking. It's almost like don't bother coming over Danielle, which I know she's going to try and improve but get her in America with the history of the ANA. And I think that she will, she will be up there. She was up there last year to go on all right record at the ANA as well. But yeah, I wouldn't say too slow of a start. She's just not won.
Douglas Maida:Obviously in comparison to last year where she came blissed out of the starting gates after the restart. I guess that's a little bit of a curse when you set the bar so high that you start getting measured to to those standards or those new standards that you set for yourself.
Sophie Walker:And also in the women's game it's really easy to be overtaken like there's not a dominant force, you know, especially with the Korean players going back to play on KLPGA, it's opened everything up. But, you know, you've got Nelly one week, Jess the next like, it's it needs, it needs one of these players to stand up and kind of dominate. Because look how easy it is just, I mean, not forget, but like, you know, forget I suppose. But the more events that played, you know, with him played a lot this year, the more everybody will just fit into his normal place. But yeah, I think it's nice to see a few of the American players playing well, and winning. But with all the Korean players now and the Thai players and the -- Well, basically the Asian players coming back, I think we're going to really see the cream rise to the top. So the American girls need to need to really start stepping up as to the Europeans because this is going to be a massive year for women's golf. We've got the Solheim, got the Olympics, got the five majors. And there is a lot lot to play for
Douglas Maida:Very much. So one of the players on the American side that I've been watching over the last couple of years, in particular with her progression has been Jennifer Kupcho. Now, I don't know if you've seen much of Jennifer outside of the majors. But I've just been impressed with how well she has steadily improved her play. And there's been a few events where she's been contending. She wasn't able to get it done on the Sunday, per se. But she started to put herself in the conversation for potentially winning an event. And she did well at KPMG. She did well at the Shoprite Classic prior. I am I think she's very motivated to make the Solheim Cup team. And I think she's going to be a little bit more of a leader of the younger generation of -- and when I say younger, I'm only talking for five years difference. But for some reason on the LPGA it seems like it's a little bit more of a gap than it would be, say in the men's men's age groups. But yeah, I think she's a little bit of the newer, quote unquote, generation of the American players coming up that I think, keep an eye on. Is that something you'd agree with? Or do you think that I'm perhaps a little over, over emphasizing it or
Sophie Walker:I mean, like, the way she carried herself at Augusta, a couple years ago was was incredible that back nine or was something that I remember for a long while a long, long time. And also, you know, you put against Maria fassi just shows you doesn't it? There wasn't much between them Augusta and she really, really got to grips with this LPGA and, and to do it during a very uncertain time. It must be very hard to be a rookie out there at the moment. You can't mix with people, it's a lot harder to travel, you've got a lot of barriers. And it just shows you how good a golfer she is to handle all that and how settled she is as a person. And you know, like look at Matt Wolff. He's really struggling with the social aspect. I've spoken to a few players as well that off the record. They're really struggling with it. So the fact that she's adapted so well. And yeah, I think she'd be she'd be a good a good Solheim cup player. Obviously, there's so many of them, but it's always nice to have a name, isn't it? So? Yeah, I like her, I like the way she plots the way around the golf course. And as I say, really enjoyed watching her at Augusta.
Douglas Maida:You mentioned about some of the challenges of being on tour and a lot of the difficulties that players have encountered this past year with the Coronavirus break and and all the new protocols that are in place on the various tours and whatnot. It reminds me of yesterday and the press conference or the media day they had at the KIA Classic in Carlsbad. I sat in and attended and part of what I saw was a remarkable interview with Ingee Chun. Now, you know, we all know Ingee, who won at the US Open in 2015, and then she had that record setting performance at the Evian. She's also won the Korean Women's Open. So she's the only player in the world to have won three, you know, two majors on the LPGA and one the Korean opening in her native country. So she was talking yesterday, very candidly about struggling with depression and the effect that it's had on her for the last several years. And just the effect that it's had on in terms of being able to work through it with her family and with her coaches and whatnot. And just what it meant to kind of rob her of joy when she was playing golf. And something that I guess she's enjoyed while most golfers enjoy their entire life and it's a joy. So she kind of shared a lot about that yesterday and she was saying now that she's in a happy place in a good place. She's with the support of her friends and her coaches and her family. She's back to being the 'normal InGee' and the 'normal InGee' who played so well in all those majors and has started this season three events three top 10, so 4th last week, or at the last event, I mean, and so she's playing very well. And she seems to have her attitude and really good focus on the game coming back. But I don't know. Did you happen to catch any of that interview? or any of the stories coming out of that? Or?
Sophie Walker:No, I mean, no, I didn't I didn't catch it. Time differences is not ideal over here. But I think it's, it's just so much more acceptable, isn't it to talk about your mental health, like physical health is just a given. Everyone talks about it, in fact, in all boasts about it, don't they? If you I mean, if you go to the gym, you better put it on Instagram or that it doesn't exist. But mental health, I think it's something that people need to speak more about fairplay to her to do it in front of the world. I don't think I'm coming from a player's point of view. Golf is your hobby, it's your passion. And then you decide to do it as a job. And then it's still, it's still, you've still got bring the cash in all that likely, you've got no escapism, because your escapism was your hobby. And now you've not got a hobby. And it's really easy for you, we saw it with Yani Tseng didn't we? Like if she didn't win the press back in our home country, it was like what's wrong with her, you know, and it really beat her up. And I can imagine it can be quite similar, like you've just spoke about how successful she was. And the pressure that she then puts herself under the press put her on the family might put her on there. And it can all get a bit too much. And she will not be the first and it's just can you get yourself out of it. And you know, the grind of trying to get better on the range is is enjoyable. It's good fun. But if you're not seeing it in a performance, it's almost like what what else can I do so interesting that it was just like her mind, it wasn't any part of her swing, but and how she's coping with it. But she needs to stay on top of it. Because like a swing fault, this, this or this could easily creep back. And so it's great to see a back up there on the leaderboard. And let's just hope that playing good golf doesn't equal happiness. Like you need to be happy in playing good golf or bad golf. But it is hard to do because it's your job. And if you're not doing your job, well, it does affect you.
Douglas Maida:For sure. One of the other things she credited is that she's got a little more stability. Now. I guess in the offseason, she bought a house in the Dallas area. So she's now got a home base. She's very close to Sei Young Kim, and they're very much friends. She was speaking in the interview yesterday about the two of them having some social events even and being able to enjoy some things off the course, in that way sort of being able to nourish the soul, if you will. And she talked about the joy of being able to have a nice that Sei Young Kim organized a nice house warming party for her. So
Sophie Walker:Yeah,there's that little things.
Douglas Maida:Yeah, yeah, yeah, it is very much. So. One of the names that I've conspicuously missed and haven't chatted about yet --- Brooke Henderson. She hasn't had the strongest start to the season. But she played well the last time at the ANA. For her and Nelly it's almost the same story. A little bit of unfinished business for the one of those two or for both of them.
Sophie Walker:Yeah, I think Brooke she's probably at that stage in her career where she's gonna define herself by majors. So I wouldn't look too much into it the fact that she's maybe not started as well. Like we said before, there hasn't been that many events. But also she's she's a major player that's that's kind of where she is in her career right now and that's what she wants to do so I would always put her to compete; she plays well on tough golf courses and majors are normally tough sells. And yeah, Nelly's obviously one this year so's her sister. Sister's got a great record at ANA actually so yeah unfinished business but I think it's going to be better than the walls not there because it's all it's like it doesn't remind you you can almost put it down so you can say 'I didn't win last year because that wall - that walls gone so I'm gonna I'm gonna win this year.' I mean actually, if Nelly had hit the fairway down at she probably would have won but there is a way of trying to psychologically getting your head around it by saying that walls gone that could that was the reason I lost that won't happen again we're actually watching it you know Brooke missed a short one then she and the playoff hole and Nelly didn't hit the fairways. But of course we've got so much course history it's quite, it's easier to pick out who's going to do well there and you do see the usual suspects you know Brittany Lincecomb with a good record around there, hasn't she? So I would expect all the players did well last year to maybe feature again this year. It's only been. And was it September? Was it last year? So? Yeah. Six months, seven months? I'd expect the usual suspects.
Douglas Maida:Yeah. Still very fresh memories. So going forward, any thoughts about what to watch for maybe in the KIA Cassic or, and who might be potentially coming out of that? Like, I mean, let's talk about some of the European plays. I mean, Charlie's a favorite obviously. Do you see an Emily Kristine Peterson or Sophia Popov or anything like that? Being able to strike again, coming up this weekend. Next.
Sophie Walker:Yeah. Let's Anne van Dam, some great work with Sean Foley. And it's, you know, like, she puts a swing video up, everybody loves it. And then the next comment is how she hasn't won more. So that's, that's, that'll get in his head. And it's a big, big year for a being a Solheim Cup year. So she needs to start turning that swing into performances. And I think she's actually accepted that and she's going to take that on. But I was pleased to see Bronte Law playing better. I really was -- tough year for her last year. And so you know, you can write it off didn't count as such, I suppose on money lists and rankings and stuff like that. But it was really I'm really pleased to see kind of Bronte back back in there. And this these type of courses and Carlota Ciganda. I mean, this girl is so good. I mean that you will not see anyone hit a golf or better than she will. It's amazing. how well she hits the golf ball. Terry Mack on the bag, Annika's ex-caddy will know, Carlsbad well, he'll certainly know Mission Hills like the back of his hand. So I'm expecting Carlota to really kind of step up this year. And I can see a winner. If she's gonna win a major, I can see it being the ANA.
Douglas Maida:And why is that just because of -- its of course she's familiar with she knows her caddy knows they can just be that much more prepared.
Sophie Walker:And I would say it's not there's less variables, British Open's got variables. Evian -- the course is variable.
Douglas Maida:weather?
Sophie Walker:Yeah. And it's with maybe KPMG is another one up there as well. It's like a ball strikers course. And you don't necessarily have to have to be the best putter in the world. If you look at the list of winners, they've had a good put in week, but they're you wouldn't say that they were the best putters in the world. And so yeah, I think this is the one. This is the one that Carlota can do. can do well in and she's more of a streaky putter, I would say. Fabulous short game, actually, the more I speak about and the more I can't believe that she's not one more maybe. So I'm talking her up so yes, come on, Carlota. I can see. I want, I want her to do well, I think a lot of Europeans would like to do well also.
Douglas Maida:Well, you know, over the last couple of years, she's put herself in contention for a Sunday. And then just hasn't quite been able to finish it off.
Sophie Walker:I think she gets nervous. I think he's a bit she's a very sensitive soul. She's very, she's very caring girl. And I think the nerves get to her. And so yeah, if she can get over that, then she would have definitely won more.
Douglas Maida:Did you have much opportunity to playing with her on the European tour?
Sophie Walker:Carlota's has been beating me since she was 13. So yeah, I think.
Douglas Maida:Well, I appreciate your sense of humour.
Sophie Walker:Yeah.
Douglas Maida:Yeah, yeah. So you've gotten to see her and play with her and learn a lot about her just from inside the ropes alone.
Sophie Walker:Yeah, just just hits ... the flight that she gets on our driver. I mean, she went you played at the "Golf Sixes" which is the pair's event and she played with the men. I mean, she she played when she played with, I think it was Eddie Pepperall. And I can't think of the other English guy was she was up there with Eddie. She hit it as long as him. So yeah, she's she's just very good. Hits par fives in two(shots), or this is where I think with it, where we were talking about course design. I think if the courses do become a little bit shorter and the par fives become reachable. I would expect Carlota to win more. Because when I played with her on the LET she's hitting all four par fives in 2 (shots) comfortably so she's picking up four shots is a given, because she's so good to agree. And so I think that will that'll definitely help her.
Douglas Maida:It's kind of like Rory when and some of the better players when they say that they had good weeks or they have winning weeks, it's usually because they played those par fives under par. Nearly every round so.
Sophie Walker:Oh, and the rest life? Yeah, you've got to be you've got to be better than for them they're sometimes to really make an affect.
Douglas Maida:Okay, well that's a pretty good review of the ANA preview of the ANA. So if you had a fantasy picks, who would you pick your three? Let's go with three seeing as it's just you and I today on the show.
Sophie Walker:Kim, Ko and i picked Carlota up so I'm gonna go for Carlota. You can have your Americans and Canadians I let you have them.
Douglas Maida:And a player to-- an a potential. I don't wanna say "Dark Horse" but a potential long shot if you will or not. Not quite the favorite but somebody you think could possibly do well?
Sophie Walker:Rose Zhang, the the one that was an am
Douglas Maida:Oh Rose Zhang
Sophie Walker:Yeah, sure. Yeah.
Douglas Maida:last week?
Sophie Walker:No, no, she did well there last year. Like she's got it. She did well there as an amateur one year. Last year, the year before. Yeah, she's done. Well, there is an amateur. She was there last year, but obviously played decent. She playing? I don't know she's playing. But I'll be honest, I am working on the ANA next week. And I will be doing far more research for it. But yeah, I've only I've only got a small brain. I can't put too much into it too short now.
Douglas Maida:Well, Sophie, thank you so much. It's always a pleasure having you on as a guest. You're fantastic. And despite your self deprecation. You're very, very well versed and always on top of things and terrific insight to share with not just myself, but all the listeners that we have. So thank you so much for that. And let me ask you, what's up next for you?
Sophie Walker:And I,
Douglas Maida:you've got the ANA that you're getting ready for.
Sophie Walker:Yeah, short term, it'll be kind of back to Golf in England. So plenty of golf lessons. Yes, that doing the ANA coverage, the Le T is not looking like starting till maybe June time, May, June. So I wouldn't be back on the telly for that until then. So in the meantime, just trying to keep myself out of trouble, not catch COVID. And yeah, trying to get everybody back, not only to where they were, but hopefully to improve their golf for the season.
Douglas Maida:Well, you know, working with you, I'm sure that's gonna be a much more easier task than if they weren't
Sophie Walker:Oh I tell them how it is. Don't worry.
Douglas Maida:Well, there you go. Sometimes you really need that coach. Well, thank you, Sophie. And we look forward to chatting with you again soon.
Sophie Walker:Thank you.
Douglas Maida:And that Ladies and gentlemen, concludes our show for today. Thank you very much for listening in. And may you have a wonderful couple of weeks till our next podcast and we meet up with you again. So in the meantime, remember if you're out playing golf, you want to keep that ball in the short grass. On behalf of Sophia, myself and our producers, thank you and have a great day.
Amy (Studio):You are listening to "We're Talking Golf" produced by the world of golf. This episode was recorded on March 24 2021. If you have an idea for a future show, please send us an email to info@worldofgolf.org... please include "podcast show" in the subject line. This show is the copyright of the World of Golf. Thank you