Chasing Pars Golf Podcast

(Ep 132) Sophie Walker (LET)

In this episode I am joined by former Ladies European Tour pro & current LET co-commentator for Sky Sports Golf Sophie Walker! We chat about Nelly Korda's dominance, the disappointing lack of LPGA Coverage, Lottie Woad's win at Augusta and what to expect from Lottie, Sophie's journey into the game and find out how she got into the role commentating on the LET alongside veteran broadcaster Richard Kaufman.  With it being Masters week at Augusta this week & the first major of the year in the...

(Ep 131) The Masters Preview

It's that time of year again it's the Azaleas, it's Pimento Cheese Sandwiches, it's AUGUSTA NATIONAL. Craig is rejoined by Craig Edwards to preview everything about this year's Masters tournament. Can anyone stop the relentless World number 1 Scottie Scheffler? We give you our picks and views on what is going to be an unpredictable Masters!  Listen in and give some support by listening in on Podbean, Apple & Spotify! 

(Ep 130) James Nicholas

In this episode Craig is joined by new DP World Tour card holder for 2024 James Nicholas who phones in from New York after his first 5 events in Qatar/Kenya/South Africa & India after gaining DP World Tour card by a shot at Final Stage of DP World Tour Q School at Infinitum! A student at Yale University, James turned professional at beginning of 2020 and made starts on the Korn Ferry Tour finishing with a best T13th at Lincoln Land Championship where he would also get a couple of invites on...

(Ep 129) Mateusz Gradecki

In what is my 35th Professional player interview episode of the podcast I was joined by 2022 Limpopo Championship winner, 3x Pro Golf Tour Champion & Polish Number 2 Mateusz Gradecki who joins from back home in Poland after a few days of working on the Golf game with his coach in Spain. We discuss the tough start to Challenge Tour season with his last event being a season best T42nd in South Africa. We discuss growing up in South Western Poland, Adrian Meronk, going to East Tennessee State U...

(Ep 128) Ashleigh Buhai

In this latest episode of Chasing Pars Golf Podcast I had the pleasure of the 2022 AIG Women's Open Champion Ashleigh Buhai joining me to chat about how her game is trending, skipping the Asian swing preparing for return to America as well as learning about her journey into the game where she would win South African Women's Open for the first time at just 14 years of age as an Amateur then again at 16 years old. We learn about the highs & lows of life on tour as a Professional Golfer. We go ...

(Ep 127) Alison Lee

In this latest player episode special in association with Golf Tips Checker I was joined by LPGA Tour star, 2x Ladies European Tour winner & current World Number 18 Alison Lee who calls in from Las Vegas in the midst of the SuperBowl madness just passed! We find out at first about an injury setback where a bite from her partner's Pomeranian rescue dog would cause Alison to be hospitalised with an infection which would require surgery which is an unfortunate circumstance considering she was t...

(Ep 126) Genesis Invitational

It was a thrilling Phoenix Open finish where the classy Canadian Nick Taylor birdied 5 of the last 6 holes to beat the wirey old veteran Charley Hoffman who played exceptionally for the last 36 holes out of nowhere but it was Taylor that made a clutch birdie on the 2nd play off hole to beat Hoffman to win his 4th PGA Tour title now & his 3rd in the last 4 years since Pebble Beach. On the DP World Tour it was a maiden victory for the talented Japanese player Rikuya Hoshino who became the 4th ...

(Ep 125) Richard Kaufman (Sky Sports Golf)

The Ladies European Tour returns this week in Kenya at Vipingo Ridge & who better to have on than the lead commentator of LET & media veteran Richard Kaufman. In this episode we found out about Richard's upbringing, taking on the job as a Runner that got his foot in the door of Media. Richard has worked for Sports Radio shows, Ceefax before getting the chance to be the voice of the Ladies European Tour coverage for Sky Sports Golf. Richard in his time at Sky Sports has commentated at times ...

(Ep 124) Ellinor Südow

With the Ladies European Tour starting next week at Vipingo Ridge in Kenya I was joined by new LET card holder & Epson Tour card holder Ellinor Südow. In this episode we get to learn more about Ellinor's rise which is impressive seeing as she only took up Golf 13 years ago after 12 having been a successful athlete with Badminton & Gymnastics (Ellinor was Top 5 in the country at Badminton) we learn how at first she hated it as it was boring but over time more work at it she would enjoy it mor...

(Ep 123) Pebble Beach Pro-Am/Bahrain Champs

With Edwards unavailable Craig goes alone for the very first time so apologies if it's a poor quality episode. It was an interesting week with Matthieu Pavon becoming the 1st Frenchman in 117 years to win on PGA Tour with a fantastic victory at Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines winning with a ballsy 3rd shot to the Par 5 18th to defeat Nicolai Højgaard! At Ras Al Khaimah it was a super Thorbjorn Olesen performance to win by 6 shots at -27 to Rasmus Hojgaard at Al Hamra GC. That was Olese...

(Ep 122) Shaun Norris

In this episode sponsored by Golf Tips Checker Craig was joined by the prolific winner from South Africa Shaun Norris who over a 22 year pro career has amassed a whopping 11 Professional Wins at all levels including a stunning 6 wins in Japan a country he deeply adores and looks forward to getting back there in March! We catch up with Shaun after a long break since Dunhill Champs at Leopard Creek as he explains the signs of fatigue that kicked in towards the end of the season coming from Jap...

(Ep 121) Ryan van Velzen

In this latest episode of Chasing Pars Golf Podcast in association with Golf Tips Checker Craig is joined by Sunshine Your sensation & 2x winner Ryan van Velzen who phones in from on site of tomorrow's Sunshine Tour event at Mediclinic Invitational where its a strong field with the likes of Jacques Kruyswijk, Oli Bekker, Danie van Tonder, Benjamin Follett-Smith amongst those playing on the Sunshine Tour this week. Ryan talks us through his journey to the Sunshine Tour via winning twice on Bi...

(Ep 120) Farmers Insurance Open & Ras Al Khaimah

In the first tournament preview show of this year on Chasing Pars Golf Podcast in association with Golf Tips Checker Craig & Craig Edwards are back to preview this week's events on the PGA Tour & DP World Tour with Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines tomorrow at time of recording where Craig had the 1-2 last year with Max Homa winning at 25/1 & Keegan Bradley finishing 2nd while Edwards also hd Max Homa win last year and has had likes of Jason Day win for him before. With a run of 200/1, ...

(Ep 119) Pieter Moolman

In this episode of the podcast which is sponsored by Golf Tips Checker Craig was joined by 2x Sunshine Tour winner & new 2024 DP World Tour card holder Pieter Moolman, a player with one of the saddest and devastating stories. Pieter is from Ekerhulani in Gauteng just short of Johannesburg in South Africa, started playing Golf at 13 & would go be a member at Benoni Lake Golf Club. Pieter won 2009 South African Boys, competed at Duke of York Champions & was represented at every age group from...

(Ep 118) Luca Filippi

In another player exclusive interview for Golf Tops Checker Craig was joined by 2x Sunshine Tour winner & current Sunshine Tour OOM #4 from Cape Town Luca Filippi. In another fantastic episode we find out what Luca has been up to after a 2 week break with his partner in Thailand while Snorkelling and petting Elephants. We find out stuff about Luca through the quick fire round then later find out about his amateur successes and later Sunshine Tour successes in 2023. Cape Town born Luca origi...

(Ep 117) Sam Jones

In this episode sponsored by Golf Tips Checker I was joined by recently new DP World Tour card holder Sam Jones who discussed the crazy journey of a DP World Tour Qualifying School where Sam would qualify through First Stage on the dot in Bristol to finishing T4th at 2nd Stage in Spain to then finishing T6th at Final Stage at Infinitum Golf to secure a full DP World Tour card for 2024 only 2 weeks after turning Professional after the Asian & Pacific Amateur Champs at Royal Melbourne, a remar...

(Ep 116) David Drysdale

In another player interview of Chasing Pars Golf Podcast sponsored by Golf Tips Checker Craig was joined by Scottish veteran & current Asian Tour professional David Drysdale who was phoning in from freezing cold Cockburnspath.  David has spent an overall 21 seasons on European Tour now DP World Tour & has amassed over 575 starts with 4 2nd's/5 3rd's & 29 Top 10's overall with the most notable 2nd coming at Education City for 2020 Qatar Masters where David would miss a 15ft birdie chance on ...

(Ep 115) Maja Stark

In another Chasing Pars player exclusive interview sponsored by Golf Tips Checker I was absolutely delighted to be joined by 1x LPGA Tour winner, 5x Ladies European Tour winner & 2023 Solheim Cup star Maja Stark who becomes my 25th Professional Player interview.   In this brilliant episode with Maja we find out about her background growing up in the village of Abbekås in Sweden growing up with an older brother they would play competitively in most things against each other. We find out tha...

(Ep 114) Megan Khang

In this next episode of Chasing Pars Golf Podcast which is proudly sponsored by Golf Tips Checker I am absolutely delighted to say I was joined by one of the best players in the world in Women's World Ranked Number 14, 1x LPGA Tour winner & 3x Solheim Cup participant for USA Megan Khang to discuss a brilliant career so far from the Amateur days being Low Amateur at 2012 US Open at the age of 14 years old to going 5-0 at 2015 Junior Solheim Cup to finishing T6th at LPGA Qualifying Tournament ...

(Ep 113) Justin Walters

In this latest episode of Chasing Pa In rs Golf Podcast which is Proudly sponsored by Golf Tips Checker I was joined by 2x Sunshine Tour champion & 4x DP World Tour runner up as I give you the remarkable story of Justin Walters. In a really deep, honest, meaningful at times tough not to feel emotional chat Justin goes at length about how career struggles affected him, the heavy loss of both parents with remarkable bravery to recover from such adversity to being a main stay on the DP World To...

(Ep 112) George Bloor

In this next player episode of Chasing Pars Golf Podcast in association with Golf Tips Checker Craig was joined by 2023 Clutch Pro Tour/Mizuno Next Gen Order of Merit winner & now Challenge Tour card holder George Bloor who calls in a couple of days before he jets out to Dubai for 3 weeks in hot weather preparation for the start of the 2024 Challenge Tour season in South Africa.   A very hard working Golfer with Lazer focus that is always trying to get better & better George has made a nam...

(Ep 111) Jay Mackenzie (Aus Tour)

In this sponsored episode of Chasing Pars Golf Podcast in association with Golf Tips Checker, I am joined by Australian Tour professional Jay Mackenzie who joins from just outside of Melbourne in preparation for the 2nd half of the Australian Tour season. We have a lot of laughs about different things in this episode as Jay is a down to earth laid back character. Jay is a 1x champion on the Australian Tour winning 2022 Western Australia PGA by 2 shots to his good friend & former podcast gues...

(Ep 110) Jim Herman

In the 2nd episode of today Craig was joined by 3x PGA Tour title winner & 1x Korn Ferry Tour winner & long time PGA Tour pro Jim Herman who gives in his own words a brilliant analogy of his long 23 year pro career from the highs and the lows of a PGA Tour professional.    Born in Cincinnati, Ohio Jim turned pro in 2000 is the winner of 2010 Moonah  Classic on the Nationwide Tour (KFT) in Australia beating Chris Kirk in a playoff, the winner of 2016 Shell Houston Open defeating 2016 Open C...

(Ep 109) Benjamin Follett-Smith

We are back for the start of the Player Interviews again on Chasing Pars Golf Podcast in association with Golf Tips Checker. In this episode Craig is joined by current Challenge Tour/Sunshine Tour pro and a 2x winner of the Cape Town Open Zimbabwean Ben Follett-Smith! We start off finding out what Ben likes to do in his down time off from the Tour life which includes Pints & Coffee. We find out what life was like back in Harare, Zimbabwe growing up while Ben picked up Golf because of his Da...

Season 2024 & 2023 Recap

Hello and Happy New Year from a new look Chasing Pars Golf Podcast where Craig & new co-host Craig Edwards go over what type of players we are looking at for Kapalua Plantation Course for this week's The Sentry as well as go over the LIV events of 2023/Majors of 2023/Make some predictions for Majors in 2024 & name a few DP World Tour players we ate looking out for in 2024.   Craig Edwards is an experienced Golf Bettor/Tipster with a host of experience in Golf Betting Articles & Golf Journa...

(Ep 108) Manuel Elvira

In this latest player journey episode of Chasing Pars Podcast where Craig was battling through the flu. Craig was joined by recent DP World Tour card holder Manuel Elvira who graduated from the Challenge Tour last season with 10 Top 10 finishes with 3 2nd place finishes including in last seasons sparkling run resulting in finishing 3rd overall on the Race to Mallorca standings gaining his DP Tour Card for 2024 season. We look back at how Manuel got into the game, the challenges of having an...

(Ep 108) Manuel Elvira

In this latest player journey episode of Chasing Pars Podcast where Craig was battling through the flu. Craig was joined by recent DP World Tour card holder Manuel Elvira who graduated from the Challenge Tour last season with 10 Top 10 finishes with 3 2nd place finishes including in last seasons sparkling run resulting in finishing 3rd overall on the Race to Mallorca standings gaining his DP Tour Card for 2024 season. We look back at how Manuel got into the game, the challenges of having an...

(Ep 107) Martin Simonsen

In tonight's episode Craig is joined by DP World Tour & Challenge Tour professional Martin Leth Simonsen calling in from holiday in Texas! Martin is a pro since 2015 playing from Aalborg in Denmark the same place as Lucas Bjerregaard & a graduate of the University of Texas El Paso playing in the same fields as the likes of Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth & Bryson DeChambeau. We learn of how Bryson would just come out with the most random stuff! A 2x European Am Team member for Denmark in 2014 at Linn...

(Ep 106) Colin Ramsay (A Golfer's Bucket List of Scottish Golf Courses)

In the 2nd episode of the week I am joined by Colin Ramsay the Author of the best selling Golf Book 'A Golfer's Bucket List of Scottish Golf Courses'. Colin tells us how he started playing the game back in 1971 & still going strong at 67 years young! Colin explains how the idea of the book came from a constant phrase said at all the different Clubhouses of that's another Golf Course ticked off the list. Craig tests Colin's knowledge on Regional parts of Scotland and asks for top 2/3 courses i...

(Ep 106) Colin Ramsay (A Golfer’s Bucket List of Scottish Golf Courses)

In the 2nd episode of the week I am joined by Colin Ramsay the Author of the best selling Golf Book 'A Golfer's Bucket List of Scottish Golf Courses'. Colin tells us how he started playing the game back in 1971 & still going strong at 67 years young! Colin explains how the idea of the book came from a constant phrase said at all the different Clubhouses of that's another Golf Course ticked off the list. Craig tests Colin's knowledge on Regional parts of Scotland and asks for top 2/3 courses i...

(Ep 105) Alfred Dunhill Championship (Craig Edwards)

We are back doing tournament previews after a couple months away from doing it and Craig is joined for the first time by former Snooker pro & now Golf Writer & Tipster Craig Edwards @EdwardsTips on X. The 2 Craig's go at it about Burmester & Niemann winning in South Africa & Australia respectively while looking at how the LIV players are getting easy exemptions back onto the Tour that they walked away from. We discuss the massive talking point of World #3 Jon Rahm now confirmed going to LIV G...

(Ep 105) Alfred Dunhill Championship (Craig Edwards)

We are back doing tournament previews after a couple months away from doing it and Craig is joined for the first time by former Snooker pro & now Golf Writer & Tipster Craig Edwards @EdwardsTips on X. The 2 Craig's go at it about Burmester & Niemann winning in South Africa & Australia respectively while looking at how the LIV players are getting easy exemptions back onto the Tour that they walked away from. We discuss the massive talking point of World #3 Jon Rahm now confirmed going to LIV G...

(Ep 104) Alan Tulleth (DP World Tour Caddy)

After a 2 month extended break due to a few issues & reasons Chasing Pars returns for your enjoyment as Craig is joined by DP World Tour caddy Alan Tulleth who is the current caddy for Englishman on the DPWT 2022 Challenge Tour Race to Mallorca Champion Nathan Kimsey. Craig & Alan have a laugh and joke about all things as we find out how he got the call from David Law to caddy on the Challenge Tour to getting the nod to become the caddy of Nathan Kimsey a month or 2 before the season ending w...

(Ep 103) Monday Q Info (Ryan French)

In this 2nd episode of today I am joined by the well renowned figure Ryan French also known as Monday Q Info. We talk about Ryan's journey into setting up Monday Q Info page and with it becoming an incredible amount of success covering stories of players that some people might have never heard of & explaining how hard the Monday Qualifying system actually is to get a chance at qualifying for a PGA Tour event. We learn about how players view Ryan's coverage of them & majority of them seem to a...

(Ep 102) Cazoo Open de France with Mike Miller

It was a dramatic win by the vastly improving Ryan Fox to become the 1st Kiwi to win BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in this becoming a Rolex Series winner! Fox showed great grim & determination from a triple bogey on Sunday at the 3rd to birdieing 8 of last 13 holes to become champion. On the PGA in the 1st regulation season event at Fortinet Championship it was a maiden PGA Tour win for the popular Sahith Theegala who played brilliantly throughout to win by 2 from S.H. Kim! This week Crai...

(Ep 102) Cazoo Open de France with Mike Miller

It was a dramatic win by the vastly improving Ryan Fox to become the 1st Kiwi to win BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in this becoming a Rolex Series winner! Fox showed great grim & determination from a triple bogey on Sunday at the 3rd to birdieing 8 of last 13 holes to become champion. On the PGA in the 1st regulation season event at Fortinet Championship it was a maiden PGA Tour win for the popular Sahith Theegala who played brilliantly throughout to win by 2 from S.H. Kim! This week Crai...

(Ep 101) BMW PGA Championship preview with Bryan DeCorte (Axis)

It's the flagship event on the DP World Tour where all the top European players of the world including every single member of the 12 for Team Europe for Marco Simone flock to the well renowned Wentworth Club in Virginia Water, Surrey for the next edition of BMW PGA Championship where Shane Lowry held off Rory McIlroy & Jon Rahm last year to add a Rolex Series crown alongside his Claret Jug! Who will win this epic event? Craig is joined for the first time by Bryan Decorte also known as Axis DF...

Chasing Pars turns 100!! (Irish Open preview)

It's been a long time coming some great times, some good times and some really tough times but Chasing Pars Golf Podcast has finally reached 100 episodes! In this 100th EP special back to where it all started out Craig is joined by former co-host Jamie Broadhurst @Js_GolfingTips to celebrate this landmark as well as going in depth into this week's Irish Open on the DP World Tour at the beautiful Palmer North Course at K Club in Straffan, County Kildare. This Arnold Palmer design was designed ...

Omega European Masters & US Ryder Cup team reaction with Ryan Baroff (RB)

It's one of the most wonderful times of the year in the calendar and that is Crans-sur-Sierre GC in Crans Montana for the yearly stop at Omega European Masters a course and location of such prestige & beauty! Every golfer's dream! In this episode Craig is joined by well known member of the Golf Twitter Community Ryan Baroff often known to followers as RB. In this bumper episode Craig & RB discuss Hovland's wonderful 2 weeks, Clements win at Czech Masters while we also dive into today's finali...

D+D Real Czech Masters with Nigel (GolfNutter)

In the return of the DP World Tour it was a comprehensive runaway victory for Englishman Daniel Brown who went wire to wire to win ISPS Handa World Invitational by 5 shots after having a 6 shot lead in both R3 & R4 it was a first win as a pro for Brown while on the PGA Tour at BMW Championship it was an incredible 61 from Viktor Hovland that including a back 9 of 28 shots to win by 2 heading into East Lake. It was a naff week with only Marcus Helligkilde sharing a place at 40/1 in T4th alongs...

Brandon Robinson Thompson (BRT)

In another player interview today I Craig am joined by this year's winner of the Irish Challenge on the Challenge Tour Brandon Robinson Thompson who calls in from the site of this week's ISPS Handa World Invitational event from Galgorm Castle where Brandon would win The Country Garage BMW Northern Irish Open at Galgorm Castle defeating Mitch Waite to secure an invite into the ISPS Handa World Invitational. It's been a monumental rise in the summer this year for Robinson Thompson having finish...

ISPS Handa World Invitational (with GolfNutter3)

The DP World Tour returns this week after it's 4 week layoff after The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool and the Barracuda at Tahoe. While I've been busy with player interviews it's good to have the main reason we do this back and that is chat DP World Tour golf! This week I am joined for the first time by Nigel who is better known on Twitter as @GolfNutter3 calling in all the way from Brisbane, Australia to chat this week's ISPS Handa World Invitational presented by AVIV Clinics in co-san...

Chasing Pars Golf Podcast (Trailer)

Marcus Helligkilde

In this episode Craig is joined by 3x Challenge Tour winner in the calendar year of 2021 & 3x Nordic Golf League winner Marcus Helligkilde. Marcus joins us en route to do some work before the DP World Tour returns in Northern Ireland next week at Galgorm! A Turkish Amateur Champion at 19 years of age Marcus would also play as part of Team Denmark with John Axelsen at El Camaleon in Cancun which is the home of the Mayakoba (Scottie Scheffler, Viktor Hovland, Bob MacIntyre, Grant Forrest & Mave...

Marcus Helligkilde

In this episode Craig is joined by 3x Challenge Tour winner in the calendar year of 2021 & 3x Nordic Golf League winner Marcus Helligkilde. Marcus joins us en route to do some work before the DP World Tour returns in Northern Ireland next week at Galgorm! A Turkish Amateur Champion at 19 years of age Marcus would also play as part of Team Denmark with John Axelsen at El Camaleon in Cancun which is the home of the Mayakoba (Scottie Scheffler, Viktor Hovland, Bob MacIntyre, Grant Forrest & Mave...

Jorge Campillo

In this episode Craig is joined by 3x DP World Tour winner & winner of the Triple Crown at the University of Indiana, Jorge Campillo! We go through his time as an amateur participating in the Palmer Cup for Europe 3 consecutive years in 07, 08 + 09 even playing Dustin Johnson in the singles in 07. Jorge was also a participant in the 2008 Eisenhower Trophy with Team Spain. Jorge would turn professional in 2009 competing on the Challenge Tour from 2009-11 as well as a few limited European Tour ...

Jorge Campillo

In this episode Craig is joined by 3x DP World Tour winner & winner of the Triple Crown at the University of Indiana, Jorge Campillo! We go through his time as an amateur participating in the Palmer Cup for Europe 3 consecutive years in 07, 08 + 09 even playing Dustin Johnson in the singles in 07. Jorge was also a participant in the 2008 Eisenhower Trophy with Team Spain. Jorge would turn professional in 2009 competing on the Challenge Tour from 2009-11 as well as a few limited European Tour ...

Martin Vorster

In another special episode of Chasing Pars we welcome on 2021 South African Amateur Strokeplay Champion, 2020 African Amateur Strokeplay Champion & current Sunshine Tour professional Martin Vorster as we speak about his stellar amateur career winning 8 times at Amateur level as well as participating and winning the 2019 Junior World Cup for South Africa in Japan! Martin also got selected for the International team for the 2019 Junior Presidents Cup side alongside his good friend Jayden Schape...

Martin Vorster

In another special episode of Chasing Pars we welcome on 2021 South African Amateur Strokeplay Champion, 2020 African Amateur Strokeplay Champion & current Sunshine Tour professional Martin Vorster as we speak about his stellar amateur career winning 8 times at Amateur level as well as participating and winning the 2019 Junior World Cup for South Africa in Japan! Martin also got selected for the International team for the 2019 Junior Presidents Cup side alongside his good friend Jayden Schape...

Wyndham Championship (with SportsGuyTy)

It was a pretty non eventful 3M Open for us with runaway leader Lee Hodges claiming a first PGA Tour title in impressive fashion by 7 shots to JT Poston after Postman tripled the 72nd hole after going straight at the par 5 for eagle resulting in it hitting a rock and into the water. This week we move onto a classical golfers for classical PGA oldies usually it's Sedgefield CC for the final regulation event on the PGA Tour season at the Wyndham Championship where the top 70 this year in a form...