Nicklaus v Watson - The Prelude To The Duel In The Sun

Grab your beverage of choice, settle into your favourite seat and listen up - it’s Masters time! In this episode of 18 Majors, Neil and Fergus will wrap you up in a warm Augusta glow. They discuss their favourite ever Masters tournaments explaining why their choices had the drama as well as the historical context to really make them stand out.  The two also select some of their favourite Masters-related quotes and pick the greatest short game player in the history of the game. The episode finishes with a special Masters quiz!

Season two of 18 Majors: The Golf History Show is back and in the first episode, Fergus and Neil concentrate on the stunning achievements of the great Bobby Jones. He was a household name by his late 20s having dominated the world of golf by winning the biggest events in the game. That’s not all. Through his work with Clifford Roberts and Alister MacKenzie, his legacy lives on through Augusta National. The full story is one everyone with an interest in golf should know.  In this episode, the two also discuss who is the greatest ball striker of all time with Fergus proposing a surprise contender. And of course, the quiz is back - this time with a cryptic twist. Good luck Neil!

After 20-years of trying, 44-year-old Roberto De Vicenzo became Latin America’s first Open champion, triumphing over a sun-baked Hoylake in the summer of 1967. Fergus dives into this incredible story and also reveals a Phil Mickelson-related record he thinks nobody will ever beat! There's also a tricky quiz that will put your (and Neil's) golf history knowledge to the test.  Published 13th November 2024.

Tiger Woods put on, arguably, the finest ever Major performance to win the 2000 US Open at Pebble Beach. We’  talk about the significance of that incredible event as the main part of this podcast.  We also look at Faldo's 18 straight pars to win at Muirfield in '87 and delve into the great book of quotes the came from the epic finale at the 2006 US Open. Published 6th November 2024.

Hale Irwin came through a playoff to become the oldest ever US Open winner in an unlikely and highly memorable contest at Medinah. Fergus tells the story plus he looks at a record from the history books that will never be beaten. Plus there is a quiz to test yours (and Neil's) knowledge.

The fact Ben Hogan even played in the 1950 U.S. Open at Merion is incredible, as 16 months earlier he almost died in a terrible car crash. That he won is almost beyond belief. It’s one of sport’s most incredible stories and it cemented Hogan’s position as a golfing legend. Fergus reveals exactly what happened in this episode. We also look at the careers of Sir Michael Banallack and Joyce Wethered. There's also another golf history quiz!

In this episode, Fergus focusses his attention on the epic prelude to the Duel In The Sun. Most golfers know about when Watson and Nicklaus went head to head at Turnberry but what about the contest at Augusta in 1977. This was another epic encounter that's well-worth knowing.  Neil and Fergus also look at a Young Tom Morris record and the inimitable Moe Norman. There's also a quiz that will put your golf history knowledge to the test.

In this episode, Neil and Fergus examine the Ryder Cup career of Europe's original talisman. Seve Ballesteros is now renowned for his winning influence on team Europe but wasn't all smooth sailing. Fergus looks at the high, the lows and the incredible stories from this formative period in European golf. There is also a look at some of the best quotes from the great commentator, Henry Longhurst and golf history quiz that catches Neil out (yet again!).

In this episode, Fergus and Neil discuss the impact on the game of one of the true greats. With style and swagger, Walter Hagen changed the way professional golfers were seen and treated. But how? This is the story of one of the most transformative periods in the game. We also look at Johnny Miller's spell as the best golfer on the planet, a Bobby Jones unbeatable record and there's a tricky golf history quiz to cap things off.

In this episode, Fergus casts his eye over John Daly's unbelievable maiden major victory in 1991. The American came from nowhere to win at Crooked Stick and this is the hair-raising story of how he did it.  Fergus and Neil also discuss the career of Kathy Whitworth, they reveal an incredible quote from Jack Nicklaus and Fergus sets Neil a tricky Masters-focussed quiz!