McIlroy’s Discipline, Sydney’s 94-Course Journey, and the Chaos of Phoenix
In this episode of Chipping In, Ollie and Ewan discuss Rory McIlroy's win at Pebble Beach and which major he could win in 2025. They preview the Waste Management Phoenix Open and Ewan reflects on playing all 94 golf courses in the Sydney metropolitan area.
The Ultimate Sydney Golf Completionist
Ewan Porter shares a personal milestone that has been 31 years in the making: he has officially played every single golf course in the Sydney metropolitan area. Ticking off 94 courses in total, the journey concluded last week at Fairfield City Golf Course. "I don't think it's fair to say I saved the best for last; maybe the opposite end of the spectrum," Ewan jokes, reflecting on the final stop of his three-decade mission. Among the 94, New South Wales Golf Club remains his favorite, while Bondi Golf Club takes the prize for the most fun due to its stunning real estate and relaxed atmosphere. "It’s prime real estate... you can basically play topless, no shoes walk around, it is unbelievable," Ollie adds, highlighting the unique coastal charm of the layout.
Rory McIlroy’s Newfound Discipline
The conversation shifts to Rory McIlroy’s commanding performance at Pebble Beach. Ewan notes that Rory seems to be evolving, adopting a mindset similar to World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. "He wanted to be a little bit more Scottie Scheffler-like in 2025," Ewan observes. "What he meant by that was have a little bit more discipline with his game... Reign it in a little bit." When asked which major Rory is most likely to add to his trophy cabinet this year, Ewan goes with a left field prediction for the US Open at Oakmont. "No one drives it better statistically than McIlroy... I think it’s his calling," he asserts, suggesting Rory's elite power from the tee will be the deciding factor on a punishing setup.
The Science of Spin: Cam Davis’ Viral Tree Shot
The panel discusses the viral shot by Cam Davis that saw his ball wedged between two massive tree roots. While social media exploded with praise, Ewan offers a more technical perspective on why the ball spun so aggressively. "When your ball is lying on firm dirt, you create more spin anyway," Ewan explains. "Because of those tree roots, he had to pick the club up more abruptly... come down a little steeper. That too creates a little bit more spin."
Previewing the "People's Open" at Phoenix
The Waste Management Phoenix Open is notorious for its rowdy atmosphere, particularly the stadium-style 16th hole. Having lived on the course for two years, Ewan recalls the sheer scale of the event. "You put a stadium around it with 25,000 people, that changes the complexion pretty quickly," he says, discussing the mental pressure of the environment. However, there is a push to reign in the chaos this year. "They're definitely going to try and reign it in and have the crowd show a little more respect... but that’s not going to be easy when you’ve got free-flowing alcohol and people shotgunning beers at 7:00 a.m.," Ewan notes.
Technical Tips: Overcoming the "Nemesis Hole"
Ewan closes the episode with a piece of advice for amateurs struggling with a specific intimidating hole at their home course. He suggests that the psychological fear often leads to steering the ball, which is a recipe for disaster. "Jack Nicklaus always said that he made his freest swings on the tightest holes," Ewan shares. "Tee it high and let it fly. If you can just try and flip the script... I guarantee you the results will be better."
Watch the full episode on Fanatics TV.
