In the Footsteps of Giants

Aronimink is in the books, a new major champion has been crowned and a few "favourites" have had a reality check. Martin, Ron & Chris review the PGA Championship and the media response to a strange week just outside Philadelphia. Is Aaron Rai a breath of fresh air, is Jon Rahm on his way back to form (and an established tour), is Bryson wasting his best years by pursuing peripheral projects. All this and more in this week's episode.

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The next major of the 2026 season is upon us as we await our heroes teeing off at Aronimink on Thursday. Who will carry their form into the second major of the season? Will Rory go back to back majors? Will Scottie just turn it up a gear and blow the opposition away? Will this be Cam Young's or Ludvig Aberg's breakthrough major? Will Michael Block make the cut to perpetuate the man, the myth, the legend? We discuss possible outcomes and make our picks for a winner, a top 5 placing and a "big name" to miss the cut.

So much is currently happening in the world of professional golf that Martin & Ron hit the studio to discuss Nelly Korda, Cam Young and the ever changing LIV Golf story. Joining them is PGA Coaching Professional, Chris Gallagher, who makes his debut on In The Footsteps Of Giants to help us analyse what makes great players great.

Plenty of golf news and chat without any of those pesky ads you find on other podcasts! Interact with us via our social portals on X @ITFOG_podcast, Instagram @ITFOG and BlueSky @ITFOG-podcast

After a couple of eventful weeks in the world of professional golf, Martin and Des meet @ITFOG HQ to discuss the Fitzpatricks hot streak, Nelly Korda's wire to wire victory at the Chevron, LIV Golf's financial woes, season 4 of Full Swing plus catch up with what is being talked about on the Twittersphere.

We hope this interests our listeners as they try to make sense of what on earth is going on in professional golf. Interact with the podcast via our portals on X @ITFOG_podcast, Instagram @ITFOG or BlueSky @ITFOG-podcast.

The first major of the 2026 season is in the bag and it's another win for the lad from Holywood, Co Down. However, the Masters conjured up it's usual drama and storylines. The ITFOG team discuss triumphs and disasters, shocks and surprises, bad behaviour and consequences as Augusta National again became the focus of the golfing world.

Did this year's Masters deliver excitement, drama and intrigue? Did LIV Golf players make any impact? Which ITFOG team member won the predictions game and be crowned the Prediction's King?

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How do you follow ITFOG's most successful episode of all time? Fortunately it is Masters week, one of the best weeks of the golfing year. Martin, Des and Ron discuss some of the golf stories making the news over the last couple of weeks and then concentrate on trying to predict who will have a good run at Augusta in 2026. As always we also try and predict the big names who will miss the cut and rue another missed opportunity. Can Scottie start this tournament better than his recent Thursday form? Will Rory soar again or simply flame out...

An episode that the team @ITFOG_podcast have been really looking forward to recording. We are delighted that friend of the show, Alan Shipnuck, joins us to discuss his new biography of Northern Ireland's most successful sportsman, Rory McIlroy. Not for the first time Alan entrusted us with an advance copy of the book and in today's episode we get to ask many of the questions that golf fans want answered.

We are indebted to Alan for his kind and generous support of our independent podcast and  hopefully you will all sit back and listen to Alan's m...

The team catch up on events from Florida, South Africa & Hong Kong especially the huge differential in prize money for certain tournaments. Martin, Des and Ron discuss the ever worsening situation developing between Jon Rahm and the DPWT which could very easily see Jon missing the Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in 2027. Ron quizzes Martin & Des about their experiences at TPC Sawgrass as we approach this year's Players Championship. And finally the boys discuss a bit of golfing magic that one of them pulled off over the weekend!

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As Scottie's insane run of consecutive top 10 finishes comes to an end, what does the future hold for the world's best player? Martin, Des and Ron briefly discuss this before diving into the Genesis Invitational results, the Magical Kenyan Open on the DPWT, the implications of Anthony Kim beating Jon Rahm & Bryson De Chambeau in Adelaide and the breaking news regarding the DPWT granting releases to 8 LIV players. However, the biggest storyline is who is refusing the DPWT olive branch. We also break big news about an upcoming episode with an old friend of the show.

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New contributor, Ron, has to deal with Martin on a full scale rant about a behaviour incident at the WM Phoenix Open, albeit at the end of the day Ron's viewpoint is not dissimilar. Plenty of chat about Patrick Reed's surge in form and profile, Chris Gotterup's surge up the OWGR rankings following another win, and LIV's surge of complaints that they are still not being treated fairly by the OWGR! Despite the absence of Des and young Mike there is no shortage of debate and opinion about the golfing stories that interest us.

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Full house at ITFOG HQ as Martin & Des are joined in the studio by "young Mike" and over the worldwide web by Ron. Has Patrick Reed achieved some respect and redemption by winning the Dubai Desert Classic over the weekend? What do his press conference comments signal, a future at LIV or a plea to allow him a way back to the PGA Tour via the DPWT? Plenty of chat about the current state of world golf and whether Jon Rahm remains an elite player or a very rich and disillusioned malcontent. 

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The team at ITFOG are called in for an "emergency pod" as we analyse the big news coming out of Ponte Vedra. Brooks Koepka is coming back to the PGA Tour, the deal is done, the reparations decided but the effect on the wider world of golf is not yet known. Will other big names reconsider their positions now that Brooks has shown them the path, how will Mr PIF react to this obvious setback to his passion project (LIV Golf) and will this galvanise the DPWT to expedite the arbitration/fines pending for Jon Rahm/Tyrell Hatton/Tom...

As we enter 2026 what does the world of golf have in store for us all? Although we don't actually know what will happen, we never shy away from giving our predictions. With Des and young Mike unavailable it falls to Martin and 'new boy' Ron to tackle the task of predicting the future. Who will win the majors, who will step forward in a new season and who will fall back, will LIV Golf survive as some of it's star names choose to exit the league rather than renew their contracts? Plenty to chat about as we start the...

As we round out 2025 it's time for our annual 'naughty or nice' list from the world of golf. Martin and Des have done this before, but it was a first run out for newest team member Ron. Always one of our favourite shows of the year as we debate who should make it onto each side of the list. Plenty of discussions around players, administrators, courses and tournaments with some consensus from the panel and then also some lively debate.

Let us know who you would put on your list for 2025 via our X portal @ITFOG_podcast...

Plenty to talk about this week as Martin, Des & Ron debate events at the Australian Open, the Nedbank Golf Challenge and the Hero world Challenge all played over the last few days. The boys then turn their attention to the current OWGR rankings and some winners and losers in 2025. Ron then tables a debate about YouTube golfers and is intrigued to see what way the 'old traditionalists" view this new crop of golfing content creators. 

Let us have your thoughts via our X portal @ITFOG_podcast or BlueSky @ITFOG-podcast.

After missing ITFOG's normal 14 day recording schedule Martin & Des are back in the studio to catch up on all the major golf stories of the last few weeks. Joining them for the first time is Ron Greer, known to many on Tik Tok as "the winter golfer" who brings a new set of opinions to the discussion, plus we quiz him on his top 5 golf courses that he has played. 

We debate whether Rory or Scottie is the golfer of the year, which DPWT player has shunned a PGA Tour card to sign with LIV Golf and w...

After our recent outing on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush, it's time for Martin and Des to own up to the reality that Championship golf courses are hard. Despite great company and favourable weather both of the seasoned old campaigners struggled to deliver any consistency over this north Antrim masterpiece.

Plenty of general discussion about the DPWT and solving their LIV problem plus a roundup of everything that interests us from around the world of professional golf.

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Tommy Fleetwood is the biggest star of the autumn with two wins and a stellar Ryder Cup performance. Martin and Des meet to discuss his recent win in Delhi and what this might mean for his future major prospects. 

Plenty of other news from around the world of golf, particularly the ongoing fallout of fans behaviour at Bethpage, LIV Golf's laughable financial results and their assertion that the league is gaining sponsorship deals which boost franchise values, Richard Bland's win in Scotland and both his and other LIV players future relationship with the DPWT. Plus, Martin & Des d...

Martin was delighted to welcome Ian Kerr, Chairman of the Royal Portrush Open Championship Committee 2025, back into the studio to talk about the success of this year's championship. For seven glorious days in July Portrush was the golfing world's epicentre and at it's core was a very dedicated team from Royal Portrush Golf Club who delivered an event that truly showcased what Northern Ireland has to offer. We talk about the tournament, the lessons learned from 2019 and the economic value created by the event's return. 

Please note that our chat was recorded ahead of the Ryder Cup s...

Bethpage Black was a successful hunting ground for team Europe but it was also the most hostile crowd in the Ryder Cup's history. Our respect for the players has gone through the roof as they prevailed despite the naked hostility and boorishness from the American fans. Did the PGA lose control, did this Ryder Cup tip over acceptable behavioural limits, what can be done to ensure future Ryder Cups do not follow a similar descent into unruly chaos? Martin and Des get together to celebrate an epic overseas win but also to discuss the many unsavoury incidents that somewhat...

And we're back! As summer fades into the rearview mirror Martin & Des hit the studio to catch up on the big stories since the Open Championship. With the Ryder Cup @ Bethpage literally around the corner, the boys discuss the final makeup of both team plus debate whether Europe can win on US soil in 2025. Both teams look good on paper but who has the edge?

Also our usual roundup of stories from around the wide world of golf, including a rant from Martin about Greg's claim that LIV Golf has created a new asset class for capital...

With major season over and a few weeks still to wait until the Ryder Cup at Bethpage, we thought our listeners might enjoy a repeat of the outpouring of emotion and relief that we all felt when Rory McIlroy finally conquered Augusta National. The most unscripted podcast episode we have ever done but probably one of the most memorable, for us anyway. 

New ITFOG episodes coming in early September following our summer break, however, listeners can still interact via X @ITFOG_podcast, Instagram @ITFOG or BlueSky @ITFOG-podcast

At the end of last year friends of the show, Matt McClean and Steven Gracey headed to the LIV Promotions event in Saudi Arabia. Earlier this year Steven came into the studio to recount some stories from that most unusual adventure. 

New ITFOG episodes will appear in early September following our summer break. You can still interact with the podcast via X @ITFOG_podcast, Instagram @ITFOG or BlueSky @ITFOG-podcast.

The 153rd Open is in the books and major season is over. Martin, Des and young Mike sit down to discuss their various experiences at Royal Portrush over the last few days. Scottie was a worthy winner but did he suck the juice out of the final day by showing no weakness or emotion. Who were the other winners/losers from a glorious week on the north Antrim coast. Which ITFOG panellist won the predictions game for the final major of 2025? Plus a chat with an Open first time spectator regarding their impressions of a major championship set up.<...

Martin & Des (and young Mike?) discuss the unusual conundrum that appears to affect the US Ryder Cup team selections for Bethpage. Will Keegan Bradley be a playing captain in September? Also we discuss the current state of PGA Tour/LIV negotiations as we are now 2+ years on from the infamous Framework Agreement.

With the Open Championship only 10 days away we make our pre tournament predictions and there are certainly a couple of surprises in the ITFOG team's choices. Hope all our listeners thoroughly enjoy the Open Championship from the legendary Royal Portrush GC on the outstanding North...

Martin meets up with an old friend, Mike Wolsley, a former European Tour player and also golf coach based in California. They discuss stories from Mike's time on tour, his friendship with Freddie Couples, his time coaching Jean Van DeVelde, his teaching philosophies and his opinions on today's top players. A unique look into Mike's life in golf and the trials and tribulations of being a tour professional.

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A different episode this week as Martin sits down for a chat with the Chairman of the Championship Committee for the 2025 Open Championship. What is different at Royal Portrush for the upcoming Open, what lessons were taken from the 2019 event to make this year's tournament even better. A fascinating chat with Ian Kerr who carries the responsibility for delivering the facilities and course to the R&A on behalf of Royal Portrush.

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Martin and Des debate the outcome of a soggy final couple of days for the 2025 US Open. great result for JJ Spaun and a few other interesting performances in a Ryder Cup year. The boys also discuss Shane & Rory's current attitudes and interactions with the press and how it is affecting their status with fans.

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Martin and Des chat about Erin Hills and the US Women's Open, Scottie's 'next' win at the Memorial and some Ryder Cup implications. Des also updates listeners on his recent tour to County Sligo. The boys also discuss the upcoming US Open at Oakmont and put in their selections for the year's third major championship.

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The USPGA Championship from Quail Hollow is in the books and Scottie Scheffler again proved to be the best player in the field. Martin and Des hit the studio to discuss a whole range of storylines from Charlotte. Will Scottie complete the Grand Slam, who can challenge him if his B game was enough to win last week, was Rory's non conforming driver a factor, was Bryson unlucky, who has played their way into contention for Bethpage in September? We find plenty to talk about, even if the event itself was fairly pedestrian viewing until midway through the last...

Martin and Des meet up to discuss the last couple of week's results but mainly to record their predictions for this week's USPGA Championship at Quail Hollow. Young Mike zooms in later to add his own predictions.

A few answers but many more questions in this Ryder Cup year where European players are dominating on the PGA Tour. The next few weeks will be critical to the makeup of both teams at Bethpage.

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Martin manages to "find" Des and discuss the ramifications of Rory's Masters win a week on from that epic night. Updates on the RBC Heritage, Corales Puntacana and the China Open start the show but then the boys look back at their predictions and what might happen going forward.

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The last four days have put golf fans through the ringer as we all watched, with bated breath, Rory's best chance to win the Career Grand Slam and enter the Pantheon of golfing gods. The outcome remained in doubt until the very last putt (at the first extra hole), could Rory beat his demons and deliver major number 5 or would heartbreak prevail. An epic story spanning nearly 11 years finally played out over the immaculate setting known as Augusta National.

Joining Martin to review the 2025 Masters are "young" Mike, Mark and Jonny who all shared the emotional rollercoaster...

A busy week at the ITFOG HQ where Martin & Des attempt to rectify their previous poor call, catch up on on the news from around the golfing world and preview the 2025 Masters. Where is young Mike when the work needs to get done?

Plenty of stats and predictions for Augusta plus a few strongly held opinions as we head into the "major" season. Can Rory get a green jacket in what looks to be one of his best stretches of form or will the LIV players find a way to spoil the party? Always a great week...

Martin and Des review the Players Championship from one of @ITFOG_podcast favourite courses, the legendary TPC Sawgrass. Possibly one of the few overseas courses that once you play it you will remember every hole. Great win for Rory but JJ Spaun could have spoiled the party late on Sunday evening, the distance between triumph and disaster can be very small. The boys also discuss how Phil Mickelson isn't doing Joaquin Niemann any favours by declaring that he is currently the best player in the world, and also debate whose Ryder Cup prospects are on the up and a...

Martin, Des and special guest Mark give their thoughts on the third season of Netflix's golfing docu series "Full Swing". This season covers events on the PGA Tour in 2024 which included Scottie's infamous arrest, Rory & Bryson's battle for the US Open at Pinehurst plus a host of other stories from around the Tour.

We also catch up on a couple of redemption stories from the wider world of golf plus speculate on the value of the White House being involved in negotiations to reunify golf. As ever you can interact with the podcast via our X portal...

The full team is back in the studio to discuss the recent European successes on the west coast culminating in Ludvig Aberg's big win in the Genesis Open. Does this bode well for team Europe at Bethpage Black later in the year or have they peaked too early?

Also having seen LIV's published financials for 2023 we debate the insanity of this loss making venture and speculate on the deal (rumoured to be close) that allows all parties to save face and end the golf war. Any resolution will still have collateral damage so we try and assess...

Martin and Des welcome Steven Gracey back to the studio to talk about his recent trip to the LIV promotions event in Saudi Arabia where he caddied for top Irish amateur (and his best mate) Matt McClean. Plenty of fun stories from their spontaneous adventure plus a roundup of the weeks results including a big win for Rory. 

As usual you can interact with the podcast via X @ITFOG_podcast or via Instagram @ITFOG or BlueSky @ITFOG-podcast if you have any comments or suggestions.

Martin and Des look at the weekends results which bode well for the European Ryder Cup team later in the year, albeit there are also some concerns surrounding two key players from the winning 2023 team. Martin chats with two local Foggies about their predictions for the major season and whether they agree with the choices made by the ITFOG "experts" from the last episode. The boys cover some topical stories before revealing a surprisingly positive ranking in a recently published Top 100 Golf Podcasts list.
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A new year and the boys return to cover all things that interest us as fans from the world of golf. Martin & Des discuss the Sentry Championship from Kapalua and whether the course is now too easy for the top pros. Mike joins via Zoom to provide his input to the ITFOG predictions for the 2025 major season and the Ryder Cup. All the team answer the question we left hanging from the last episode, if you could start on the greens at Augusta could you win the Masters. The results are enlightening....
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