Our Guest today on Talk Birdie To Me is James Watson, Senior Vice President of Production at LIV Golf, so a big gig!

James tells us some of the figures from LIV Adelaide, they are impressive. He talks about how they had a very short timeframe to get the first London event up, and it was only in Adelaide that he felt 'LIV had arrived'. We find out about James career, and how it led him to his current role with LIV, via Cricket Australia, Asian Tour Golf, and Tennis Australia. James talks about the graphics on screen during golf, and why he believes they are so important. He goes on to talk about what he calls the 'second screen experience' and the importance of this for fans.

Nick asks James about the drone tracer, and James explains how they developed this innovation at LIV.

Mark asks if James is happy with the LIV Adelaide product, and if they have more in the tank. He says that it is the best era for participation in 30-years, however that is not yet translating to viewership.

James tells us what it's like being in the LIV Production truck with 60 cameras to direct, he talks about the importance of having a tight team and great communication lines. James talks about how they use fan data to drive decisions on how they execute the coverage, and gives examples. He talks about the inspiration that LIV has taken from Formula One and The Australian Open tennis.

Mark asks about whether James has exposure the big boss Yasir, and how much exposure he has had to The Shark over the journey. He tells us what The Shark is like to work with. We ask James about whether there is a feeling that LIV and the PGA getting back together is imminent.

A fascinating chat with an Aussie who has a massive gig on a world scale.

We're live at Titleist and FootJoy HQ, we're here thanks to our great partners:

• The watchMynumbers app, play smarter and use your data. Download from the App Store or Google Play;
• PING will help you play your best. See your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting;
• Golf Clearance Outlet, visit them online here to find your nearest store, they're all over the country;
• Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia.
• Southern Golf Club - now with their brand new Simulator Room including Trackman.
• And of course Titleist and FootJoy!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, send a voicemail here, and see us on YouTube here.

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A disclaimer: today we're using the Talk Birdie video gear for the first time. Audio goes up first, and video at 7pm the same day. Please bear with us, we're still learning how it works, what buttons do what, and the various camera angles. So the first few shows will be a bit rocky here and there - we will 100% screw some stuff up. If you see a camera shot pointing at the floor for 20 seconds you'll know why.!

Onto the pod. We start with Nick's report on Mount Lawley following the recent OCM makeover, Nick was in Perth for the weekend and had a run at the course, did he enjoy it?

LIV Adelaide, a wild success, looked great on TV, the crowds were huge, Mark has about ten people he knows who were there who said it was the best sporting event they've even been to. Mark talks about how the players have great stories, and attract crowds, which is what golf needs - big names. Nick didn't go this year, but he went two years ago and talks about the noise and vibe. We discuss the TV ratings and how they went.

Tiger, Adam Scott and Jay Monahan met with Trump, and Tiger made some comments following that meeting about a potential unification of the different parties.

Has Joaquin Niemann given away the location of The Australian Open? And what Aussie rising PGA star was seen deep in conversation with multiple LIV teams in Adelaide. The money is clearly attractive - Mark asks Nick if Alana would have allowed him to turn down that kind of money?

Torrey Pines. How excited about Ludvig Åberg is Marko? Pretty excited as it turns out. Nick and Mark discuss his performance, and Mark pops into the simulator to show us some examples of Ludvig's pre-shot routine. Apologies for the audio issue here, the mic in the simulator was playing up - we'll fix it for next week. Mark says Ludwig will be a Top 10 machine, and will win a major this year. Which leads to Marks Top 5 - golfers who he believes will win a major in 2025.

We have an update on the PING global opener. Nick is pumped as there were 3 PING players this weekend. Lots of feedback from the Wolfpack, keep it coming on socials, emails, carrier pigeons.

Mark asks Nick - what do you have to do to be considered a 'black belt golfer'? We hear a voicemail from listener Mark with a question on slow play. Nicks masterclass on is on Ludwig, and again apologies for the audio - we'll sort for next week.

Remember this episode will be on YouTube at 7pm Wednesday 19th, AEDST.

We're live at Titleist and Footjoy HQ, we're here thanks to our great partners:

• The watchMynumbers app, play smarter and use your data. Download from the App Store or Google Play;
• PING will help you play your best. See your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting;
• Golf Clearance Outlet, visit them online here to find your nearest store, they're all over the country;
• Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia.
• Southern Golf Club - now with their brand new Simulator Room including Trackman.
• And of course Titleist and Footjoy!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, send a voicemail here, and see us on YouTube here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Damien was at LIV at the weekend and was following the group with Richard Bland, Charl Schwartzel, and Tyrell Hatton and had some comments after hearing our feedback pod on Monday where Wolfpack member Jenko asked about how players would deal with 'antics' from other pros.

We're coming from Titleist and Footjoy HQ, and we're here thanks to our great partners:

• The watchMynumbers app, play smarter and use your data. Download from the App Store or Google Play;
• PING will help you play your best. See your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting;
• Golf Clearance Outlet, visit them online here to find your nearest store, they're all over the country;
• Betr, the fastest and easiest betting app in Australia.
• Southern Golf Club - now with their brand new Simulator Room including Trackman.
• And of course Titleist and Footjoy!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, send a voicemail here, and see us on YouTube here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.