18 Majors: The Golf History Show - Every Single Episode

Welcome to 18 Majors: The Golf History Show brought to you by Golf Monthly. Each week a new episode will land that re-tells one of the most important stories from the history of the game. Golf historian, Fergus Bisset, brings these episodes to life by delving into the archives to uncover the details, the quotes and the characters behind these pivotal moments.

You can listen to 18 Majors: The Golf History Show below...

Neil Tappin plays the role of host with golf historian and writer, Fergus Bisset, offering the insights. Each week the two discuss a record from the history books that they think will remain unbeaten. Fergus also retells a significant but often not-fully-understood moment from golf's past. They also pick a memorable quote from the past and Fergus finishes things off with a quiz.

You can watch the latest episode (and every episode so far) of 18 Majors: The Golf History Show in the video playlist below...

Get in touch with Neil and Fergus by dropping an email to: neil.tappin@futurenet.com. We would love to hear your suggestions for future episodes.

You can download each episode of 18 Majors: The Golf History Show from your favorite podcast platform. While you're there, why not leave Fergus and Neil a review!

Episode Descriptions

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.

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.

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.

Published 30th October 2024.

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!

Published 23rd October 2024.

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.

Published 16th October 2024.

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!).

Published on 9th October, 2024.

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 record and there's a tricky golf history quiz to cap things off.

Published 2nd October 2024.

John Daly's Incredible 1991 USGA Win & A 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!

Published 23rd September 2024.

The Concession And Full Story Behind The 1979 Ryder Cup

In this episode, Fergus casts his eye over the 1979 Ryder Cup. It ended with the famous concession but what happened before that? This was one of the most ill-tempered Ryder Cups ever and Fergus retells  the story of a heated and fractious event at Royal Birkdale.

Published 18th September 2024.

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!

Published 11th September 2024.