Ep220: By numbers, Scheffler 'Twice as good as Rory', Who's the LIV 'Whale'? We pick Presidents Cup Teams...and Mark Destroys the episode...literally.

We all know the famous line from Jim Nantz 'a tradition unlike any other'. Well today we're paraphrasing Jim and it is a Talk Birdie To Me episode unlike any other. We'll start at the end.

At the 38-minute mark of the show, Mark accidentally hit Nicks mic with his hand (see the moment here), disconnecting Nick's mic and meaning the rest of the show (Global Highlights and Feedback) had no audio from Nick. So we had to scrap those segments and cut from the Top 5 straight to the Masterclass (which uses different microphones).

Nick and Dan are considering what Marks punishment should be. We're open to suggestions. That said - the first 38 minutes of the show were a cracker and we hope you enjoy a somewhat shortened version of Talk Birdie To Me this week!

01:00 Schefflers win at the weekend, we look at his playing stats, and earning stats.....all amazing.

03:00Nick reveals and incredible Scheffler stat which Mark immediately christens as our BMW Touch of Class for the week.

06:00Strokeplay vs Matchplay ?

08:00The Viktor Hovland sand incident....any issues or nothing to see here?

09:00The 'nobility' of golf rules. We're looking directly at Patrick Reed.

10:00LIV update - unpaid vendors, player settlements for a fraction of what they're owed, and Mark talks through an idea he has read about and loves about the big players chipping in to cover the money owing to vendors.

12:00Mark is going to call a contact in Adelaide to see if there are any insights into the planning for LIV Adelaide next year

14:00 Who is the LIV Whale, and could it be Trump? We examine why it might possibly be and why he might get involved.

16:00 Whether it's Trump or someone else, can any whale save LIV if the big name players aren't there?

17:00 Presidents Cup is close! Some picks are locked in. We notionally appoint Nick as captain of the Internationals, given he played for them, and Mark as captain of the US team, and they each pick the rest of their team. Nick is shocked by one of Mark's selections.

24:00Nick says it will be tough for the internationals, the US team is so strong and the depth of talent huge. He also reiterates his long-held view that the Presidents Cup should be a mixed format.

25:00Our Plus for golf for Hostplus this week is Steve Alker. Mark explains why. Well deserved.

26:40Michel Block. Tool or Fun Showman?

30:00Today the Top 5 for Betr is Mark listing the Top 5 reasons why Scottie Schefflers swing works, even though Mark does not understand how.

35:00Nick saw a chat with Scheffler and Brandel Chamblee this week which he loved, we listen to some of it.

36:00Nick contrasts attitude between Rory and Scottie.

And then it happens. Just before the 38-minute point, Mark gesticulates with his right hand and bashes into Nicks mic, breaking it, meaning Nick is off mic for the next 20 minutes of the show....which has ended up on the cutting room floor sadly as we were not aware of it at the time. Bloody Marko.

But, as the masterclass uses different microphones so we can still get to that for the Golf Clearance Outlet, and Nick today talks through using the tee area to your advantage.

Apologies for the tech issue this week, rest assured Mark will be suitably punished and no doubt mercilessly mocked on the next show.

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• Hostplus, Talk Birdie To Me's official retirement partner
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• The Find My Player app - follow every player on every tour;
• And Southern Golf Club.

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