We open the pod with big and breaking news from Mark on a major roadblock to a successful merger of the LIV and PGA, this has come from an EXTREMELY high and very reliable source within LIV. It shocked Mark when he heard it, and in turn Nick when Mark revealed it on the podcast.

In Nick and Mark's view, this makes a merger the two organisations highly unlikely, and it may lead to a ramping up from LIV of poaching PGA players again. We discuss the likely targets.

After this big news settles a bit, it has taken all of us aback a little, we discuss the move of LIV Adelaide to the new February date, Mark loves it, Nick does as well, and we discuss the benefits and difficulties, of moving other Australian tournaments to February. Marks been banging on about it for years, Nick loves the thought but doesn't believe it will work for the players.

We discuss appearance fees for Australian players to come home. Should it happen? Should they support the home tournament?

Nick and Mark love the number of Kiwis and Aussies playing the seniors tour. We run through the names from the weekend just gone.

And the Olympics, we chat about the tennis, skateboarding, Matildas - we're all loving it. Nick loves golf being in the Olympics, Mark hates it. They each explain why. And Mark wants to get his mate Marcus Fraser who either holds, or did hold for a long time, the record for the lowest golf score at an Olympic Games.

Pod listener Tim calls the hotline to have a crack at Mark. Whilst Mark defends himself, Nick and Third Man feel Tim makes a fair point.

Nicks Top 5 is on aggressive gallery interactions with tour pros. Leading to a very funny story about Marks best mate Colin Montgomery.

Plenty of feedback, on Links Golf, Anchoring and Justin Rose. Then we head around the world with the PING global results from Nick, and Marks Masterclass for watchMynumbers is on 'effortless power in your backswing'.

A big thanks to our Talk Birdie partners:

• PING, they'll help you play your best, you can see your local golf shop or professional for a PING club fitting;
• the new watchMynumbers app, the most powerful data based golf app in the world, download from the App Store ;
• and the Golf Clearance Outlet, great prices on the best gear. See them in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or Perth, or online here.

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