Men’s Major Champions Episodes

We conclude our visit with major champion Jeff Sluman with him recalling a "mystical" week at the 1999 Sony Open that found him in a mental state that he had never experienced before or since. After recalling his other Tour wins the conversation kiddingly turns to his 1-6 playoff record and later life on the Champions Tour where he matched his number of PGA regular Tour wins with six on the senior circuit. Ultimately, our talk turns to life outside the ropes, Chicago sports teams and his intr...

This episode with Jeff Sluman begins with his crowing achievement, winning the 1988 PGA Championship at Oak Tree Golf Club, closing with a final round 65 to best Paul Azinger by three shots. Listen in as Jeff relates perhaps his most thrilling golf experience, playing as the defending champion with "THE" Arnold Palmer in the first round of the PGA Championship the following year at Kemper Lakes when Arnie showed flashes of his former brilliance with an opening round 68 that had the galleries roa...

Winner of the 1988 PGA Championship, Jeff Sluman, looks back on his college days and how his game quickly developed when given the opportunity to play golf year round. He recounts physical challenges that he overcame with grit, grinding and determination to succeed at the collegiate level. Given the opportunity to compete in the 1980 U.S. Open at Baltusrol, Jeff realized that he "could play with these guys" and soon turned professional, playing and making money where he could. It would take eigh...

We begin our four-part series with major championship winner Jeff Sluman who recounts his early life growing up in a working-class family in Greece, New York. Smitten by the game at an early age and with the encouragement of his father and two older brothers, Jeff showed early promise, first as a left-hander and later as a convert to the right side. Listen in as he recalls attending a practice round for the 1968 U.S. Open at Oak Hill with his Dad and marveling at the beauty of the course and the...

Two-time U.S. Open winner Andy North recalls his second win at Oakland Hills in 1985, made famous by T.C. Chen for his "two chip" on the fifth hole of the final round. Andy became the first player to break par there in winning that major and was the only player under par for the week. He takes us back to the 1985 Ryder Cup at the Belfry, when the Europeans began asserting themselves in this bi-annual event, and the U.S. team victory at the 1978 World Cup when partner John Mahaffey and he went 1/...

Andy North, winner of the 1978 and 1985 U.S. Opens, recalls his record in the majors including the toll Augusta took on his legs, the financial tradeoffs of playing in the Open Championship in those days and the late-season demand of competing in the PGA Championship. Andy takes us through his dramatic win at Cherry Hills and other U.S. Open memories as we continue his story, "FORE the Good of the Game." Give Bruce & Mike some feedback via Text. Support the show Follow our show and/or leave a r...

Two-time U.S. Open Champion, Andy North, talks about growing up in Wisconsin in a sporting family, the condition that forced him to put other sports aside to focus on golf and his early successes, winning the 1971 Western Amateur and being a 3-time All-American at Florida. Andy relates what life was like as a Tour rookie and how he once shot a 27 at the B.C. Open. Andy North tells his story as a young professional golfer, "FORE the Good of the Game." Give Bruce & Mike some feedback via Text. Su...

In this final episode of our five-part interview series with 2003 Masters champion and Canadian golf great Mike Weir, "FORE the Good of the Game" takes you on a memorable journey through the life, career, and aspirations of one of golf's most revered figures. Tune in to this engaging episode as host Mike Gonzalez and Australian PGA Tour great Bruce Devlin delve deep into Weir's experiences, insights, and heartfelt reflections. Starting with a nod to the 2024 Presidents Cup at the historic Royal...

In this fourth episode of our five-part interview with Canadian golf legend Mike Weir, the 2003 Masters winner delves into some of the most memorable and defining moments of his illustrious career. Join us as Mike recounts his experiences across various major championships, revealing the challenges, triumphs, and learning experiences that have shaped his journey as a world-class golfer. Mike opens up about his more noteworthy performances in the U.S. Open, sharing vivid details of his time at O...

Major championship winner, Mike Weir relives his last several PGA Tour wins including the 2003 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and going back-to-back at Riviera in the Nissan Open. The big one, of course, was his playoff victory at the 2003 Masters Tournament over Len Mattiace, becoming the first male Canadian major champion and the 2nd lefty to win a major (after Bob Charles at the 1963 Open Championship at Lytham.) He takes us back to his champion's dinner, sitting between Tom Watson and Byron Nelso...

Winner of the 2003 Masters Tournament, Mike Weir recounts his early days as a golf professional playing the Canadian and Australasian Tours before joining the PGA Tour and becoming the first Canadian player in 45 years to win on that tour in Canada at the 1999 Air Canada Championship. He recalls the letter he wrote to Jack Nicklaus as a 14-year-old asking for advice on whether to switch from left-handed to right-handed and the response he received. Part 1 concludes with his memories of his Tour ...

In the first episode of a compelling five-part series, "FORE the Good of the Game" hosts Mike Gonzalez and Bruce Devlin embark on an insightful journey with 2003 Masters champion and Canadian golf icon, Mike Weir. This episode delves into Weir's early life and the formative experiences that shaped his remarkable career. Listeners will be captivated as Weir recounts his humble beginnings in Sarnia, Ontario, where his passion for golf was kindled against the backdrop of a sports-driven communi...

Open Championship winner and CBS Broadcaster, Ian Baker-Finch, relives his experience serving as Captain of the Australian men's and women's golf team at the 2021 Summer Olympic Games. Ian and Bruce discuss how modern equipment and real estate development trends have impacted golf course design. Listen in as he shares where he would take a career mulligan and what he would do differently if he knew at age 20 what he knows now. Ian takes us through the golf bag and names his greatest players from...

Ian Baker-Finch, winner of 17 professional events during his golfing career, recounts his win in the 1991 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale where he shot 64-66 on the weekend that featured an opening nine of 29 in the final round to win by two strokes. He recalls the team competitions he was a part of as a player and captain/coach including the 2021 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, representing Australia. Ian reflects back on the decline in his game caused by a loss of confidence and he and Br...

Major Championship winner and CBS Golf Lead Analyst, Ian Baker-Finch, takes us behind the scenes of televising a golf event and the changes in approach, brought on by the global pandemic, that are likely here to stay. He and Bruce Devlin remember the advice each of them received as they started in the television business and recount the lessons learned from some of the masters like Frank Chirkinian and Don Ohlmeyer. Ian Baker-Finch with the call, “Fore the Good of the Game.” Give Bruce & Mike s...

Champion Golf of the year in 1991 at Royal Birkdale, Ian Baker-Finch recounts his younger days as a 15-year old apprentice professional, leaving school to pursue his passion. Following in the immediate footsteps of Greg Norman, Wayne Grady and Peter Senior, Ian has fond memories of being the 54-hole leader in his first Open Championship in 1984, learning the Old Course under the watchful eyes of 5-time winner Peter Thomson, prior champion Kel Nagle and Graham Marsh.“ Ian Baker-Finch relives his ...

Three-time major championship winner, Nick Price, begins by taking us back to the early frustrations and heartbreaks at the majors including the challenges of Augusta and tough Open Championship losses to Seve at Lytham in 1988 and earlier having one hand on the Claret Jug in 1982 at Troon when Tom Watson prevailed. He recognizes the lessons he took away from these which prepared him for a terrific stretch of golf in the early 1990's where he prevailed at the 1992 PGA at Bellerive, the 1994 Open...

World Golf Hall of Fame member Nick Price looks back on his 18 PGA Tour wins including his first at the 1983 World Series of Golf at Firestone CC and recalls what a 10-year exemption can do for one's attitude. He talks about his early friends on the Tour, his encounters with Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan, winning their tournaments and what he felt like when he was on top of the golfing world as #1 in 1994. Nick finishes this segment reflecting back on his final Tour victory at Colonial and his asto...

A 2003 inductee into the World Golf Hall of Fame and the winner of three major championships and one Players Championship, Nick Price joins us to talk about growing up in Rhodesia (present-day Zimbabwe), learning the game as a left-hander and his early successes as an amateur. Nick recounts his time spent in the Rhodesian Air Force during the "Bush War" there and the honor of representing his country in the 1976 Eisenhower Trophy. He relates the decision process to turn professional in 1977 and ...

World Golf Hall of Fame member Curtis Strange recounts the second of his consecutive U.S. Open victories, this one at Oak Hill in 1989 and ultimately, his final win on the PGA Tour. Listen in as he talks about the other major championships, his near-misses, the challenges of Augusta National and the regrets of not playing more in the Open Championship. Curtis wraps up this episode reflecting on his infamous Tiger Woods interview 25 years ago as Tiger was making his professional debut at the Grea...

A winner of 17 PGA Tour events and 2-time U.S. Open Champion, Curtis Strange, reflects back on each of his tour wins including an early playoff victory over Lee Trevino in Houston, besting his college roommate, Jay Haas, in Hartford, and prevailing at the Canadian Open by 2 shots over Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman. In between there are plenty of great stories of life on the road, who were the best ball strikers and much more. We finish with a look back at Curtis' win in the 1988 U.S. Open at The...

Curtis Strange, World Golf Hall of Fame member, recounts his amateur experiences winning the 1974 Western Amateur over good friend and Wake Forest teammate, Jay Haas, and playing on the winning side in the 1975 Walker Cup at the Old Course. Curtis reflects back on turning pro at age 21 just short of graduation and going out on the road on the PGA Tour with a bit of debt to keep the pressure on. He fondly recalls his many good friends, the locker room environment that he misses most and breaking ...

Member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and back-to-back winner of the U.S. Open Championship, Curtis Strange joins us to tell the story of his start in golf as his game developed under the watchful eye of his golf professional father until his passing when Curtis was just 14. He fondly recounts his college golf days at Wake Forest playing on one of the greatest teams of all time. Curtis shares the feeling of being paired with Jack Nicklaus at his first Masters, what he really meant in his highly ...

John Mahaffey begins this segment with a look back to his win at the 1978 PGA Championship at Oakmont CC in a playoff with Tom Watson and Jerry Pate. He talks about his Ryder Cup experiences and his two wins at the 1978 and 1979 World Cups. John reflects briefly on his Senior Tour career and the transition to broadcasting and becoming an author. Hear him tell about how he got his "Hogan's Boy" nickname from Sam Snead and where he would take two career mulligans. John Mahaffey wraps up his life s...