In 2018, the European Tour and Official Partner Hilton joined forces to give fans a real insight into the world of professional golf in a new podcast called ‘Life on Tour’.
Launched back in May, theLife on Tour podcast presented by Hiltonaimed to take the listener behind the curtain to find out what life is really like for some of the biggest names in golf.
Featuring some of the game’s great characters both past and present – from World Number Ones to legendary caddies, commentators and more – we dove deep inside the stories you want to hear.
No subject was out of bounds.
Hosted by one of the most recognisable voices in sports broadcasting, Andrew Cotter, season one of the Life on Tour podcast had it all…
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EPISODE 1: LUKE DONALD
In the first episode, we spoke to Ryder Cup star and 2011 European Number One Luke Donald at the Hilton St Anne’s Manor, near Wentworth.
A wide range of topics were discussed during the 50-minute sit-down, from his roots in the game, to college in America, family life, the Ryder Cup, topping the money-lists on both sides of the Atlantic, to Major near-misses and swing changes, struggles and injuries.
There was also a great anecdote from his time in Japan...
Watch the full Luke Donald episode here…
EPISODE 2: BILLY FOSTER & JOHN MCLAREN
Respected and long-serving caddies Billy Foster and John McLaren divulged tales from a colourful career in the second episode of the Life on Tour podcast.
And having carried the bags of no lesser names than Seve Ballesteros, Thomas Bjorn, Darren Clarke, Lee Westwood, Luke Donald, Paul Casey, and many more, Foster and McLaren have worked in close proximity to some true sporting legends over the last three decades.
There are break-ups, make-ups and Ryder Cup glories as well as missing out on Majors, sleeping in bushes and taking pity on Tiger in a toilet.
Watch the full Billy Foster & John McLaren episode here…
EPISODE 3: TOMMY FLEETWOOD
The 2017 Race to Dubai Champion Tommy Fleetwood covered a variety of topics throughout a wide-ranging and entertaining chat in the third episode.
Recorded back in July, just a short drive from Ryder Cup venue Le Golf National, the Englishman talked about his impending debut for Team Europe and recounted his journey up to this point, from stellar amateur to initial struggles as a professional and then battling back from a serious loss of form to become 2017 Race to Dubai champion.
There’s also why that record-equalling round at the US Open will always rankle with him, not wanting to play alongside Tiger at the Masters, partying with Pep Guardiola and a very special presentation!
Listen to the full Tommy Fleetwood episode here…
EPISODE 4: JUSTIN ROSE
Justin Rose talked success, stardom, struggles, Seve and more in the fourth episode of the European Tour’s new Life on Tour podcast presented by Hilton.
In this enthralling episode, recorded in the clubhouse at Walton Heath earlier in the summer, where Rose would play host to the 2018 British Masters later in 2018, the Englishman told Andrew Cotter about his journey from childhood prodigy to global glory and everything in between.
He looked back at the boy in the baggy red jumper at Birkdale to the infamous 21 straight missed cuts, words of encouragement from Seve Ballesteros, how he bounced back to become one of the world’s best and learning to love The Ryder Cup.
There was also stories of that unforgettable US Open triumph at Merion in 2013, sharing the gym with other Olympic athletes en route to gold at Rio 2016, going head-to-head with Sergio at the 2017 Masters and why he’ll always be grateful for the infectious attitude of one Ian Poulter.
Listen to the full Justin Rose episode here…
EPISODE 5: JOHN PARAMOR
Chief Referee John Paramor recounted tales from a colourful career that has spanned more than 40 years patrolling the fairways in the fifth episode.
Recorded in the famous Chief Executive’s office in the R&A Clubhouse, overlooking the historic Old Course, Paramor told Andrew Cotter about his roots in the game – including taking on a young Nick Faldo in county golf – and how he came to end up working for the embryonic European Tour in the 1970s.
The Englishman chatted rule changes and slow play, relives Ian Woosnam’s 15 club woes at Lytham, ticking off Tiger for taking his time in Akron, the Phil Mickelson US Open incident and, perhaps most famously, searching for burrowing animals with Seve Ballesteros at Valderrama.
Watch the full John Parmor episode here…
EPISODE 6: THOMAS BJORN
One month prior to captaining Team Europe to their thrilling victory at Le Golf National, Thomas Bjorn looked on his golfing journey and ahead to the 2018 Ryder Cup.
Bjorn joined Andrew Cotter in Gothenburg to discuss how a career of huge highs and difficult lows has shaped him as a person, player and as a captain.
The Dane describes what it’s like to go from imitating your heroes to then lining up alongside them as a rookie at Valderrama, how he tamed Tiger in his prime as well as regret and redemption at Royal St. George’s.
The 47 year old also puts his 2006 Ryder Cup omission to bed and reveals how his meticulous planning for Le Golf National has even included what underwear his players will be sporting.
Watch the full Thomas Bjorn episode here…
EPISODE 7: FANNY SUNESSON
Legendary caddie, coach and psychologist Fanny Sunesson reflected on her glittering and varied career in golf in the seventh episode of the Life on Tour podcast presented by Hilton.
Sunesson shares her remarkable journey from growing up in the south of Sweden to becoming the first female caddie to win a men’s Major.
There’s finding fame and further Major success with Sir Nick Faldo, how Ryder Cup disappointment eventually turned to delight and why she’s not ruling out a return to roaming the fairways with a golf bag over her shoulder.
Watch the full Fanny Sunesson episode here…
EPISODE 8: PADRAIG HARRINGTON
In the eighth episode, three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington shared his colourful and unique story.
The Irishman provides a fascinating insight in to his journey from not wanting to be a professional golfer to becoming one of the very best players in the world.
There’s Major successes, Major regrets, mental strength, misconceptions as well as Ryder Cups, Rammstein, the crucial role of Patrick Swayze and why it’s taken him so long to find catharsis from the 72nd hole at Carnoustie.
Watch the full Padraig Harrington episode here…
EPISODE 9: MARTIN KAYMER
Two-time Major winner and Ryder Cup hero Martin Kaymer is the star guest in the ninth episode.
One of golf’s great talkers and thinkers, Kaymer discusses the journey from honing his craft on the outskirts of Düsseldorf to becoming a multiple Major Champion.
There’s how he won at Whistling Straits, powering passed the field at Pinehurst as well as the story behind that putt at Medinah.
Other topics include the perils of karting, DIY, gymnastics, Scottish football and why being the best golfer in the world isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Watch the full Martin Kaymer episode here…
EPISODE 10: EDDIE PEPPERELL
In the tenth episode, Eddie Pepperell was the star guest.
‘The Wise Old Owl’ shares his unique take on life and a career that has seen him go from not being able to afford to pay hotel bills to two-time European Tour champion.
There’s also the positives and perils of Twitter, hallucinating in a Portuguese hospital, playing golf with President Trump plus an unfortunate incident involving his brother, a pool cue and Brian Lara Cricket.
Watch the full Eddie Pepperell episode here…
EPISODE 11: LIVE IN DUBAI
In a special season one live finale in Dubai, we heard from Thomas Bjorn, Francesco Molinari, Lee Westwood, Shubhankar Sharma and Keith Pelley.
Recorded in front of a live audience at the Waldorf Astoria The Palm ahead of the final event of the season in Dubai, Andrew Cotter chatted to European Tour Chief Executive Keith Pelley, triumphant Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn plus Major champion and Ryder Cup hero Francesco Molinari.
There’s also two-time European Tour winner and Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Shubhankar Sharma as well recent winner of a Rolex Series event and multiple winner on the European Tour, Lee Westwood.
Visithttp://www.hiltongolf.comfor more details.
