18 Majors: The Golf History Show

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18 Majors: The Golf History Show is the podcast presented by Neil Tappin and Fergus Bisset that connects you with the greatest, and often most misunderstood, stories from the history of the game

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

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20 episodes
Updated Jul 10, 2025

Episodes20

Newest first

Jul 10, 2025 · 1 hr
Greatest Open Championship & Who Is The Greatest Ever Links Golfer?
The Greatest Open Ever?
Jul 3, 2025 · 59 min
Golf's Master Strategist Nick Faldo & What Makes A Great Major Venue?
Nick Faldo's Epic Swing Rebuild!
Jun 5, 2025 · 48 min
Greatest US Open, Simply The Best Competitor & The Sportsmanship Of Payne Stewart
In this episode of 18 Majors, Neil and Fergus celebrate everything that makes the US Open unmissable. They look at the grittiest ever competitors and then talk through the greatest ever US Opens. SPOILER - Neil re-tells the story of Tiger's incredible Torrey Pines win in 2008 (on a broken leg!) They also pick some notable quotes from the history of the game and there's an infuriating quiz to test your knowledge! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 29, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
The Great Magician Seve Ballesteros & The Open Championship
In this episode of 18 Majors, The Golf History Show, Fergus and Neil focus their attention on the great Spaniard Seve Ballesteros. His performances at the Open Championship shot him into the public consciousness and he went on to win the Claret Jug on three occasions. This episode provides the historical context, as well as the stories, behind those popular triumphs. They also select their best ever caddie and talk through quotes relating to Rory McIlory and the hugely accomplished Glenna Collett Vare. There's also a quiz that includes the all new cryptic section. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 15, 2025 · 56 min
The Greatest Driver Of All Time & The Incredible Peter Alliss!
In this episode of 18 Majors, Neil and Fergus discuss the players who have driven the golf ball better than anyone over the years. Having crowned the greatest ever driver, they then turn their attention to the inimitable Peter Alliss. As a commentator and a player he left a huge mark on the game - Fergus puts it all into context. Finally, we have a say what section and the weekly quiz that will put your golf history knowledge to the test! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 8, 2025 · 52 min
PGA Championship Classics!
What is the greatest PGA Championship ever? This is the question Neil and Fergus aim to answer in this episode. In his response, Fergus tells the epic story of Gene Sarazen's monumental matchplay win in 1923 against Walter Hagen while Neil focuses on Phil Mickelson's impressive 2021 victory, at the age of 50. They also discuss the greatest ever match player in the history of the game, there's some more great quotes from the past and a PGA themed quiz to test your knowledge! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 29, 2025 · 49 min
The Great Walter Hagen!
In this episode of 18 Majors, The Golf History Show, Neil and Fergus take an in depth look at the colourful life of Walter Hagen. Never one to shy away from the limelight, Hagen was one of the game's great showmen, both on and off the course. They also discuss the greatest golf swings in history and there's another tricky quiz that has Neil scratching his head! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 24, 2025 · 49 min
Slammin' Sam Snead & The Greatest Golfing Style Icons
Who is the greatest style icon in golf? This is the question that kicks off the start of this episode with Fergus and Neil debating the credentials of the likes of Arnold Palmer, Walter Hagen, Seve and Fred Couples. The main section concentrates on the career of the prolific Sam Snead. He ties the record for most PGA Tour wins and did so with a golf swing that was the envy of his peers and has been closely studied ever since. Fergus delves into the man behind the records. There is also the usual 'say what?' section and a quiz that features the amusingly tricky cryptic section! Published 24th April 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 3, 2025 · 53 min
The Best Masters Tournament Ever!
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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 27, 2025 · 53 min
Bobby Jones - Golf's Greatest Amateur!
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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 13, 2024 · 45 min
Latin America's First Open Champion
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 6, 2024 · 42 min
Tiger's 2000 US Open - The Greatest Ever Major Performance?
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 30, 2024 · 43 min
How Hale Irwin Became The Oldest Ever US Open Winner
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 23, 2024 · 44 min
Ben Hogan - Golf's Greatest Comeback!
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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 16, 2024 · 42 min
Nicklaus v Watson - The Prelude To The Duel In The Sun
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 9, 2024 · 47 min
Seve Ballesteros & The Ryder Cup plus the great Henry Longhurst
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!). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 2, 2024 · 40 min
How Walter Hagen Changed Pro Golf & Johnny Miller's 'Golfing Nirvana'
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 25, 2024 · 39 min
John Daly's Incredible 1991 USPGA Win & Masters Quiz
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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 18, 2024 · 47 min
The Concession & The Full Story Behind The 1969 Ryder Cup
In this episode, Fergus retells the little known story of the 1969 Ryder Cup, arguably the most contentious playings of the event. It ended, of course, with the concession by Jack Nicklaus to Tony Jacklin but what happened before that? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 11, 2024 · 47 min
Arnold Palmer & The Open Championship
In this episode, Fergus Bisset provides a fascinating in-depth look at the two most important Open Championships of the modern era. Arnold Palmer's wins in 1961 and 1962 are credited with transforming the fortunes of the Open but as Neil discovers in the episode, there is way more to this story than meets the eye. It's a pivotal period for the game and one that's well worth knowing. There is also a look at a record from the history books that Fergus thinks will remain unbeaten and a memorable quote from the past. The episode wraps up with the weekly golf history quiz! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.