Free Drop

Renowned cricketer-turned-commentator Mark Nicholas joins the podcast. From his Marlyebone Cricket Club presidency and his close friendship with the late Shane Warne to his fondest memories of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and a funny anecdote from a round of golf at Sunningdale, Nicholas provides terrific insight into his relationship with cricket and golf and helps you get to know one of the most recognisable personalities in the world of cricket a little better.

From his earliest cricketing memory and one shot he’d like over to the best innings he ever played and one thing you’re unlikely to know about him, get to know renowned cricketer-turned-commentator Mark Nicholas

DP World Tour player Jacques Kruyswijk joins the podcast to recap the last couple months which have seen him regain his DP World Tour card, make a fast start to the 2024 DP World Tour season before getting engaged.

Jacques also shares a funny caddie story during a windy week in Scotland, an interesting perspective on equipment performance and much more!

From his start in the game to the best shot he’s ever hit, something you’re unlikely to know about him and a typical day in his life, get to know DP World Tour player Jacques Kruyswijk.

From being born in South Africa and moving to the UK at 8-years-old and winning on the Sunshine Tour in his rookie season to his preferred alternative career and something people are unlikely to know about him, get to know Sunshine Tour rookie Robin Williams.

Sunshine Tour rookie Robin Williams joins the Free Drop Podcast to recap his maiden victory at the Fortress Invitational, how growing up in the UK has shaped his game, his efforts to uplift the Sunshine Tour’s Players of Colour on and off the course and much more.

Heartwarming, funny and insightful, you don’t want to miss this one!

Luca Filippi joins the Free Drop Podcast to recap his nail-biting Blue Label Challenge win:

From travel-related issues and playing Lost City blind to following an untimely water-ball with arguably the best shot of his life, Luca provides a witty and insightful look into his first individual win on the Sunshine Tour and his pursuit of the next level in the game.

From the highs of winning on Tour and playing the Ryder Cup, to periods of personal strife and having his life saved twice by the game of golf, Ken Green gives an open and honest account of an eventful and awe-inspiring life both on and off the course.

Witty and insightful, this is a chat to not be missed!

From his unusual start in the game to the best shots of his storied career, get to know 5-time PGA Tour winner and former Ryder Cup player Ken Green.

From his painful introduction to the game to defying the odds and winning on the European Seniors Tour after an MS diagnosis, get to know renowned player turned commentator Tony Johnstone both inside and outside the ropes!

Former European Tour winner turned renowned commentator Tony Johnstone joins the podcast to chat about the origin of his nickname “Ovies” and how the complexion of the DP World Tour has changed over time. We chat Ryder Cup, the Euros’ success through the years, the ball rollback and much more.

This was a fun one!

Thanks to Tony for the time!

Three-time DP World Tour winner and Ryder Cup star Nicolas Colsaerts joins the podcast to discuss a variety of topics:

From that memorable 2012 Ryder Cup performance and an emotional win at the 2019 Open De France to his forays into commentary, his advice for Ryder Cup rookies and so much more.

From wanting to be an underground Electronic Music DJ to labeling his putt on the 17th green of his first Ryder Cup game as the best shot he’s ever hit, get to know 3-time DP World Tour winner and 2012 Ryder Cup hero Nicolas Colsaerts on and off the course in just five minutes.

Get to know rising star Casey Jarvis in just 5 minutes:

From his favourite win to a shot he’d like back, tough-to-execute superstitions, the best shot he’s ever hit and everything in between.

Casey Jarvis joins the podcast to chat about a variety of topics in his wildly successful pro career to date: From shooting the 2nd-ever 59 on the Sunshine Tour to his breakthrough win on the Challenge Tour and securing his DP World Tour card for next season. We delve into the less glamorous side of Tour life, how his approach to practice and fitness has changed over time, his goals for the future and more. Thanks to Casey for the time!

Martin Rohwer returns to the Free Drop Podcast to reflect on his Major Championship debut at The Open: From the 36-hole qualifier with his sister on the bag, playing in front of Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler during a practice round, to that first-tee feeling and lots more, Martin offers great insight into a memorable week at Royal Liverpool.

Newly-minted pro Kyle De Beer and Tyler Watts join the podcast to chat about their player/caddie relationship. We discuss what makes their dynamic work, their impressions of the pro ranks thus far, a love/hate relationship with post-round ice baths and more!

Thanks to Kyle and Tyler for the time.

From contemplating quitting the game in 2016 to breaking through for his maiden Sunshine Tour title in 2022, Anthony Michael’s 12-year professional career has been characterized by both highs and lows.

A tremendous support system around him, a steely determination to rise above injury setbacks and recognizing that he ought to work smarter and not harder culminated in a life-changing victory at the Vodacom Origins Of Golf Series event at Highland Gate.

Fresh off his return to the Sunshine Tour, JP Strydom joins the Free Drop Podcast to chat about a variety of topics: Recent injury struggles, his maiden win at the 2019 Tour Championship, the challenges which young pros on the Sunshine Tour face and the great steps the Tour has taken to ensure more playing opportunities in recent times.

We also delve into the pivotal role that friendships with Proteas cricket legend Jacques Kallis and Sunshine Tour veteran Jean Hugo have played in JP’s development.

Thank you to JP for the time!

Four-time European Tour winner Matteo Manassero joins the podcast to chat about the meteoric rise he enjoyed in the game:

From winning the Amateur Championship and finishing T-13th at the Open as a 16-year-old to becoming the youngest four-time winner on the European and ultimately battling swing struggles.

Matteo offers a candid and thoughtful assessment of a career which captured golf fans’ imagination in the early years and left them dumb-founded as to how a player of his immense quality could find himself without a full European Tour card as he did in 2018.

He chats about pressing the reset button and how working on both the mental and technical aspects of the game has helped him rebuild his career and restore his love of competition.

Thank you so much to Matteo for the time, it was fantastic to have him on the pod.

Bobbi Brown joins the pod to chat about her breakout year: From victory in the Western Province Strokeplay and Nomads SA Girls Championship to her fantastic performances for Western Province.

We chat about the people who have been key to her development, her work on the mental side of the game, future aspirations and more!

Enjoy!

Veteran PGA Tour caddie Eric Larson joins the podcast to discuss a life spent inside the ropes of the world’s biggest events and - for 11 years - a life confined to a prison cell. From winning PGA Tour events with Mark Calcavecchia and Harris English to meeting Wolf of Wall Street Jordan Belfort - Eric’s story is nothing short of remarkable. Hit the link in the bio to hear about Eric’s run-in with the law, some Ryder Cup tales and besides English, the player he’d most like to caddie for. It was an honour to have a chat with one of the most fascinating and respected loopers in the game.

Garrick Higgo joins the podcast
to recap his life-changing win at the Open De Portugal. If you've ever wanted a glimpse into how the great players think - look no further than this conversation. Garrick talks about how he held off on booking a flight home, going bogey-free for 44 holes (!!) and hitting the best four-iron of his life to seal the deal at the 72nd hole.

Now exempt on the European Tour for the next two years, Garrick looks ahead to teeing it up against the World's best at Rolex series events, and continuing his steady climb up the Official World golf rankings. You don’t want to miss this one!

Golf RSA Elite squad member Yurav Premlall joins the podcast this week. From his recent success on the IGT Tour and his solid amateur career to date to making history at the SA Open and the ups and downs of being a Manchester United fan we chat about it all! Follow Free Drop on Instagram @freedrop_podcast and on Facebook @freedropblog.

Kajal Mistry has been one of the stars of South African amateur golf for a few years now. She reflects on how her win at the 2016 Ekhuruleni Championship gave her the confidence to win and win often. We chat about her fondest memories of team golf and beating Kaylah Williams on the 20th hole to complete the SA Strokeplay and Matchplay double in 2019.

Now in her sophomore year at Arkansas, Kajal chats about her successful transition to collegiate golf, how the popular TV Show The Office helped her overcome a slow start at the US Women’s Amateur, supporting Jordan Spieth through thick and thin and loads more. Thanks a ton to Kajal for the time!

Golf RSA Elite Squad member Martin Vorster is one of the most decorated players in the South African amateur game at present having won the Junior Open, the East of Ireland Championship and most recently the African Amateur Championship. A player for the big stage, Martin opens up about how some bitterly disappointing close calls spurred him on to victory at St Andrews’ Eden Course in 2018, teeing it up at the SA Open, the pros and cons of homeschooling, being part of Louis Oosthuizen’s Academy57 and lots more. Not only is Martin a great golfer but is also a really nice guy - thoroughly enjoyed having him on the podcast. Don’t forget to give us a follow on Facebook @freedropblog and Instagram @freedrop_podcast. Follow Martin Vorster on Instagram @martin_vorster57. Enjoy!

10-time PGA Tour winner David Frost joins the show to chat about his trophy-laden career which has spanned more than 30 years, working with David Leadbetter and Bob Rotella, the most common mistakes he sees amateurs make and loads more. Thanks a ton to David for the time!

SA golfing legend Dale Hayes joins the Free Drop podcast once again to wrap up our awesome conversation. Round 2 will see us dive into the years after his playing days - commentary, his SA Sports Hall of Fame induction and his tremendous support of the South African Disabled Golf Association.

Dylan Naidoo joins the podcast to chat about the success he enjoyed as an amateur: From winning the SA Boys U/17 and U/19 titles to winning a Sunshine Big Easy event as an amateur and representing South Africa at the Eisenhower Trophy. Dylan reflects on being chased down by Joaquin Niemann at the Junior World Cup of Golf (listen out for Dylan’s on point Chilean accent😂), the biggest takeaways from his rookie season on the Sunshine Tour and a whole lot more. This was a fun one. Thanks to Dylan for the time!

Ian Kennedy joins the pod to chat about everything from playing Stephan League golf (now called Premier League) for King David Mowbray Golf Club at just 13-years-old and dismissing Jacques Kallis on two occasions to four amazing college golf years in the States and a budding career derailed by injury. This was a ton of fun - thanks to Ian for the time.

South African golfing great Dale Hayes joins Free Drop Live to discuss becoming the youngest winner in European Tour history, retiring from the game at just 29 and why, nearly 40 years later he remains an icon in South African golf.

Sunshine Tour player Luke Jerling joins the pod to discuss his very unique golf journey. From the highs of representing South Africa as a junior and winning a college event in his Freshman year to the lows of the driver yips - Luke is incredibly candid throughout. He reflects on the pivotal role that coach Graeme Whale played in righting the ship and renewing his confidence in his ability. Now three years into his career on the Sunshine Tour, Luke is eyeing that maiden victory. Enjoy and thanks so much to Luke for the time!

In part 2 of our chat, Garrick opens up about the depths he once sank to mentally and how the experience has made him incredibly grateful for all he has achieved since. We talk his three victories thus far as a pro and a ton more. If you’re a fan of Free Drop, please give us a follow on Facebook @freedropblog or on instagram @freedrop_podcast. And thank you for your support - it means the world!

Sunshine Tour Rookie Of The Year Garrick Higgo joins the pod to discuss his glittering amateur career and reflect on his superb rookie season on the Sunshine Tour and a lot more. Thanks to Garrick for the time!

Columbus State University’s Cole Cruickshank joins the pod to chat about the unique experience that is a day at Augusta National Golf Club. Thanks to Cole for the time.

Craig Stirton chats with former GolfRSA National Squad member Luca Filippi about his journey from junior golf all the way to the Sunshine Tour. Luca also reflects on his experiences of the 2017 Junior Presidents Cup and shooting 61 a mind-boggling 3 times in his life. Thanks a ton to Luca for the time.

Craig Stirton chats with Kean Dry about his journey from promising young rugby player to losing his leg and ultimately bouncing back to become a disabled provincial golfer. Thanks a ton to Kean for the time!