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This Golfing Life

This Golfing Life

Von: Dan Davies
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This Golfing Life is a series of conversations about life, golf and the relationship between the two. Join host Dan Davies as he gets to the heart of the game with an eclectic range of guests - some famous, some less so; but all of them hopelessly besotted with the most engaging, infuriating and enjoyable game ever created.Sounder Golf
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  • David Howell: Ryder Cups, Taming Tiger & Playing with Joy

    David Howell: Ryder Cups, Taming Tiger & Playing with Joy
    Jun 18 2026
    Ryder Cup hero and Sky Sports commentator David Howell joins Dan Davies for a wide-ranging conversation about a pro golf career spanning three decades, the advantages of a ‘joyful’ mindset, playing in Ryder Cups, battling and beating peak-era Tiger Woods, and formative experiences alongside legends such as Seve Ballesteros and José María Olazábal. Across the episode, Howell reveals how a self-made but super smart mental approach helped him compete at the highest level, why joy and a love for the game shaped his career, and how his passion for team golf—especially the Ryder Cup—became his defining motivation. Key Themes How David Howell built a long DP World Tour career from an unconventional junior background Mental strategies used to handle pressure against world-class players Inside stories of Ryder Cup preparation and team-room dynamics Competing against peak Tiger Woods and simplifying performance goals Early career breakthrough in South Africa and self-belief development Playing with and against Seve Ballesteros and José María Olazábal Evolution of the DP World Tour and global professional golf The secrets, sounds and sensations of elite putting Chapters & Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to this week’s guest, David Howell 02:05 – Broadcasting with Sky Sport and the 2025 US Open at Shinnecock 03:39 – Turning pro in 1995 & South African breakthrough 05:08 – Playing alongside Ernie Els & early belief moment 08:37 – First DP World Tour wins & career progression 09:16 – Peak Tiger Woods at HSBC Champions 11:43 – Strategy against Tiger & mindset of control 13:01 – Amateur background & peers on the rise 15:08 – No obsession with heroes: the focus on enjoyment 17:19 – Seve Trophy memories & beating Seve and Olazábal 23:09 – Ryder Cup inspiration & childhood memories (1985–1989) 25:44 – 2004 Ryder Cup debut at Oakland Hills 29:58 – Team strategy with Paul Casey 34:34 – Thoughts on Ryder Cup captaincy 37:53 – European Tour identity & Ryder Cup “DNA” 41:41 – The challenges facing the DP World Tour 52:09 – Life on tour: friendships, dinners & social culture 54:54 – Walker Cup memories & early Tiger Woods encounters 59:33 – The art of putting & short game philosophy 1:02:19 – When was David Howell happiest in golf? About the Guest David Howell is a former European Ryder Cup player with multiple DP World Tour victories and over 700 career appearances. He is also a respected golf broadcaster with Sky Sports and a senior figure within the DP World Tour. Known for his affable personality, deadly short game and fund of great stories, Howell offers one of the most candid and thoughtful perspectives in modern professional golf. Links David Howell on Twitter David Howell on Instagram Sounder Golf - use code POD20 for a 20% discount RNGC - Britain’s premier backyard golf course Dan Davies on Substack The Mini Masters in aid of Leukaemia UK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 Std. und 8 Min.
  • Jigger Thomson: Open Heroics & Battling Leukaemia

    Jigger Thomson: Open Heroics & Battling Leukaemia
    Jun 11 2026
    Discover how Jigger Thomson, the tallest tour pro in world golf, burst onto the scene at the 2021 Open Championship at Royal St. George’s having overcome childhood leukaemia to reach the DP World Tour. Hear how he has recently survived his most recent battle with blood cancer and now has his sights set on a return to top-flight golf. This is an inspiring story of faith, perseverance, and a remarkable love for golf, and not to be missed. You can join Jigger at the 2026 Mini Masters in aid of Leukaemia UK on Friday June 26th at Sunningdale Heath. Details below and in the podcast. Key Topics: His breakthrough performance at the 2021 Open Championship Jigger Thomson’s early life and battle with leukaemia starting at age 7 The emotional journey through diagnosis, treatment, and remission How golf helped with mental healing during illness The significance of family support and community engagement The role of faith and spirituality in overcoming hardship His goals for returning to professional golf after his most recent battle with leukaemia The upcoming Mini Masters fundraising event for Leukaemia UK Record-breaking moments, including nine consecutive birdies he ongoing fight for a cure and advances in leukaemia treatment Timestamps: 00:00 - Introducing this week’s guest, Jonathan ‘Jigger’ Thomson 02:52 - Key moments from the 16th and 17th holes at the 149th Open 03:41 - How Jigger managed focus after the hole-in-one 04:50 - The crowd’s support and the walk down the 18th on Friday 05:53 - Walking in a surreal moment, feeling like part of a fairy tale 06:22 - Focus and mental resilience on the course during critical moments 07:41 - Jigger’s experience with backing from the crowd and his supporters 09:27 - Emotional walk on the 18th and the connection to past struggles 11:11 - Challenges on the Challenge Tour before the Open 13:45 - Family story and how childhood illness shaped his love for golf 15:01 - Recalling the diagnosis at age 7 and the emotional toll 16:02 - The return of leukemia in 2024 and its emotional impact 17:42 - The spiritual awakening and faith helping Jigger through adversity 18:53 - The physical toll of treatment and weight loss post-therapy 19:49 - The ongoing battle and future hopes for health and golf 22:07 - The importance of family, support, and faith in overcoming illness 32:14 - Physical condition after treatment and rebuilding strength 37:16 - Involvement with fundraising for leukaemia research (Mini Masters) 38:46 - Childhood influence and the importance of golf as a mental escape 40:33 - His rapid development in golf from age five onward 41:41 - Competitive amateur career highlights and early achievements 44:29 - Meaningful experiences with the England amateur team 45:28 - Fast start on the Euro Pro Tour and breakthrough victory 46:48 - Nearly winning in his first season on the DP World Tour 48:44 - Record for nine consecutive birdies 50:35 - His amateur successes and how they set the stage for professional growth 54:07 - Current health status, treatment, and golf goals for the future 57:12 - The confidence inherited from childhood perseverance and recent battles 58:50 - The desire to return to the Open and the DP World Tour 59:12 - Upcoming participation in the Mini Masters supporting leukaemia research Resources & Links: Leukaemia UK Mini Masters Golf Event Jigger Thomson on Instagram Sounder Golf Gear – Use code POD20 for 20% off Follow Dan Davies & RNGC on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 Std. und 3 Min.
  • Robert Rock: The Sultan of Swing on style, substance and beating Tiger

    Robert Rock: The Sultan of Swing on style, substance and beating Tiger
    Jun 4 2026
    In this episode, European Tour veteran and two-time winner Robert Rock reveals how investing in his swing — and gaining an intimate understanding what goes into making it look effortless — helped him beat Tiger Woods in Abu Dhabi in 2012 and achieve a lifelong dream. We apologise for the sound quality on this episode but hope you’ll stick with it to discover how Robert’s fascination with historic players like Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan and Nick Faldo shaped his approach to technique and competition, even when the spotlight was off. We also break down how an obsession with precision and simplicity helped him craft one of the game's most admired swings — and why even the best struggle with basic putting. And beyond the tournaments and trophies, Robert’s journey uncovers his obsession with swing mechanics and aesthetics, the evolution of golf equipment, and why the game’s true mastery lies in the process, not just the outcome. Robert Rock’s candid stories explore the shifting landscape of professional golf — from equipment innovations to the decline of long irons and traditional course architecture. He shares how the modern game’s power and technology are reshaping how pros approach tournament play, and why this might be diluting some of golf’s timeless artistic challenge. Chapters 00:00 Introducing this week's guest, Robert Rock 01:22 Robert's early connection with golf 04:16 The uninhibited joy of junior golf 05:41 Europe's greats and early idols 07:01 Evolution of technique and equipment 08:57 The era Robert would liked to have played in 11:56 The competitive edge: What sets pro golfers apart? 13:59 Studying Ben Hogan and Bobby Jones 17:30 The differences between scratch players and tour pros 18:49 Process over outcome 20:36 The Journey to his first tour win 24:30 Memorable shots 29:53 Mixed experiences at the US Open 34:01 Head to head with Tiger Woods in 20212 38:04 Reflections on playing with and beating Tiger Woods 40:01 Hat tans: the scourge of pro golf 42:03 Supporting his son, a pro footballer 45:25 Finding a cure for his putting woes 46:23 Transitioning to Senior Golf 51:37 Lessons Learned from a distinguished career 53:48 The current state of professional golf 57:17 Happiest times in golf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 Std. und 3 Min.
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