Chasing Pars Golf Podcast

(Ep 173) Fernanda Lira

In this episode I was joined by Mexican pro Fernanda Lira who has joined from back in Mexico City ahead of a sponsors invite into this week's Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba, the first Mexican event on LPGA Tour in over 8 years. We talk about how prestigious the Mexican events are for the likes of Fernanda, Gaby Lopez, Maria Fassi & Isabella Fierro and the lasting impact of LPGA legend and former World Number 1 player Lorena Ochoa has had on the development for future Mexican players. 
Fernanda is from Mexico City and started playing the game at about 6 years old due to the old Mario Golf game along with her brother and went to University of Central Arkansas winning events at college level at UoCA and was Freshman of the Year in her time there where she would also meet her now husband Ryan Shuttleworth who caddies on the LET with Alexandra Swayne currently. Fun fact Fernanda adopted a street dog called Poncho.
Fernanda turned Pro in 2019 and would win in 2020 on Women's All Pro Tour at Crown Colony Challenge and would also win on WAPT in 2021 at Mountain Ranch Championship. Fernanda's biggest triumph would be winning 2021 Firekeepers Casino Hotel Championship in Michigan on Epson Tour defeating Isi Gabsa, Sophia Schubert, Danielle Iacobelli & a certain 2x Major Champion and former best player in the world Lilia Vu by a whopping 6 shots. At the end of 2023 Fer would finish T5th at LET Final Q School to gain status for 2024 where she had her Rookie season on Ladies European Tour with best finishes of T22nd at KPMG Women's Irish Open, T32nd at Lacoste Ladies Open de France and T33rd at Amundi German Masters. 
Fernanda not only plays this week in Mexico on a sponsors invite but she also got a sponsors invitation to play the next LET event at Tenerife Open in 2 weeks time at Abama Golf. 
Download & Like/Subscribe via Podbean, Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Thank you Fernanda all the best for 2025.

(Ep 172) Moa Folke

In another player interview I was joined by Ladies European Tour pro and the very talented Moa Folke who called in from back home in Tranås, Sweden before flying out to South Korea for Aramco Series Korea then the European swing in the summer. Tranås is also where Kajsa Arwefjäll was originally brought up. 
A representative of Landeryds Golfklubb, Moa would go to Murray State University in Kentucky where she would be a 4x Ohio Valley Conference 1st team selection as part of Murray State Racers and was named Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year for 2017 whilst also competing at NCAA Championships twice. 
Moa would turn pro in 2018 and would win on Swedish Golf Tour in 2019 at Tegelberga Open defeating Linn Grant & Emma Svensson by a whopping 6 shots. At the end of 2021.
 
Moa would gain her LET Card at Final Q School for the 2022 season and at Dromoland Castle for KPMG Women's Irish Open Moa would be the 36 hole leader after shooting at -10 62 on Friday. In 2023 in the Sunshine Ladies Tour Folke would win Dimension Data Ladies Pro-Am at -8 by 3 shots to Annelise Caudal, that would set up for a good run on LET with 2 runner ups at Joburg Ladies Open and Lacoste Ladies Open de France as well as T9th at KPMG Women's Irish Open. In 2024 by Moa"s own admission was worse as she admitted trying to force things after a good 2023 ultimately leading to finishing 38th on LET Order of Merit.
In 2025 it's been a solid start for Moa as she would post a respectable T14th at PIF Saudi Ladies Intl in a high quality field, was in contention at Australian Women's Classic before unfortunately a final round 77 propelled her to T27th then T5th at Ford NSW Open in Woollongong. She currently sits in 21st on LET Order of Merit standings and with a big European run coming up hopefully we will see Moa challenging more often.
Great player even better person. Lovely and down to earth. 
 
Download via Podbean, Apple & Spotify and be sure to like and subscribe. Thanks

(Ep 171) The Chevron Championship Preview

It's the first women's major of the year at The Chevron Championship where it will get held in Texas for the 3rd year in a row at Carlton Woods as World Number 1 Nelly Korda looks to defend her title and World Number 2 Jeeno Thitikul is the single priced favourite to capture a first major title. This Jack Nicklaus course is playing about 6,911 yards which by Ladies standards is super long so off the tee and distance will be key and elite iron play will also be a factor. 
I was joined by Scott Mader to dissect who we think has what it takes to become the next Chevron champion while going through majority of the names at the top's chances while also giving our plays further down the board in what should be an interesting Chevron!
Be sure to Download in the usual places via Podbean, Apple & Spotify. Thanks 

(Ep 170) Polly Mack

In this latest episode I was joined by LPGA Tour card holder and the 2023 LPGA Tour Longest Driver Polly Mack who was in the midst of preparing for the upcoming LPGA Tour tournament at JM Eagle LA Championship at new course El Caballero!
Polly is from Berlin, Germany & went to 2 American Universities at both University of Nevada and University of Alabama where with the latter Polly would win NCAA Franklin Regional to participate in NCAA Division 1 Women's Championship and was also named both 2018 Mountain West Player of the Year and 2018 Mountain West Freshman of the Year. During her Amateur career she also represented Germany on 3 occasions at European Amateur Ladies' Team Championship.
Polly would turn pro in June 2022 and would gain starts on Epson Tour where she made 8 out of 11 cuts before finishing T15th at LPGA Final Q School at the end of 2022 to gain an LPGA Tour card for 2023 where she also held LET status starting off 2023 with a T13th at Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco before also playing her first ever major championship at Chevron Championship at Carlton Woods in Texas, an experience that Polly certainly loves to talk about. Polly would keep her status on LPGA for 2024 and would start off slow before a respectable T21st at Ford Championship in Arizona would occur before playing 2 Majors at Chevron & KPMG PGA Championship at Sahalee CC. In the summer Polly would have a good run of T39th at CPKC Women's Open in Canada, a career best T5th at Portland Classic  and T14th at Kroger Queen City Championship which would help elevate her to 72nd in last year CME standings. 
We learn about Polly's detour when travelling to Australia after finding out last minute that she was in the field for Blue Bay LPGA in China having to literally go through passport control then to go back out again in the other direction, the life of a professional Golfer right there folks..
As always I hope you enjoy and be sure to download, subscribe and like via Podbean, Spotify & Apple. Please also be sure to leave a 5 star rate and review as we keep improving. Thanks Polly for being a good guest! 

(Ep 169) Danielle Thwaites (was Masters)

In this latest episode I was joined by former Ladies European Tour professional Danielle Thwaites who was Danielle Masters when she played on tour.
First thing's first please subscribe and listen into Danielle's new venture Birdies n Banter on YouTube where you will see interviews with former colleagues, range swings and golf clothing!
Danielle played golf at an early age believe it or not with left handed clubs to start with then eventually had to change over to right handed clubs. Danielle represented England at various tournaments alongside the likes of Sophie Walker and was a part of Vagliano Trophy in 2003 & a part of the Curtis Cup in 2004 at Formby where they had a superstar on the US side in the form of Michelle Wie. 
Danielle would turn pro in 2004 and would successfully gain her LET Card at the first time of asking which is a very impressive feat and would be out on tour for 4 full seasons before injuries would affect her progress before she would become a mother to 2 children. Since she gave up tour life she has become a successfully qualified Chiropodist with her own business, plays golf again at County level in Kent & is happily married with hubby John and has 2 kids now! 
Danielle recently got the chance to start up on a new venture with the Going OB podcast with Craig Purves where she would co-host after a successful episode together. 
 
Download and like via Podbean, Apple & Spotify and be sure to give Danielle some loving after a good episode! Wish Danni all the best with Birdies n Banter!
Thanks 

(Ep 168) Hira Naveed

As the LPGA Tour returns this week after a 3 week hiatus I was joined by New Zealand born Aussie pro Hira Naveed who returns to the scene of her career best finish of 2nd at last year's Ford Championship in Arizona over the road at Seville Golf & Country Club where she challenged the world number 1 Nelly Korda finishing 2 shots behind the best player in the world.
 
Although born in New Zealand, Hira spent majority of her childhood in Perth, Australia and went to University in Los Angeles where she ended up finishing 5th in the all time scoring list with 73.59 and would be a part of the 2019 Palmer Cup side for Team International which they would win against USA. In 2019 Hira turned Pro before the disruption of 2020 where she was cut off from any sort of tournament play but played on Epson Tour in 2021 with a career best finish on Epson of T4th in 2022. Hira would meet well renowned Golf Coach Chris Mayson and would certainly work towards improving. Hira would gain her LPGA Tour card for 2024 season after finishing T15th at Final Stage Q School in 2023.
 
Last year Hira made her bow at LPGA Tour level and had a few Top 20s and she even admits that it could have been better but still a respectable 72nd finish on the Race to CME Globe standings to keep her card. So far Hira has started with 3 straight cuts made including a 8th placed finish at Saudi Ladies International in Riyadh and returns to the state of Arizona where she is very comfortable with having played a heap of events in AZ on Epson Tour & openly admitted she loves playing in hot weather and desert golf.
 
Downloads via Podbean, Apple and Spotify! Be sure to give a listen and thanks to Hira Naveed for being a good guest!
 
Enjoy!

Caddy Series Ep 7 (167, Jordan Chatt)

As the episodes keep coming I was joined by Ladies European Tour caddy and one of my favourite people in the world Jordan Chatt as he phoned in last week from Coffs Harbour to give us an overview of the week, course conditions at the time as well as the aftermath of Alfred Cyclone and it's effects.
Jordan started caddying in 2018 starting as a 16 year old lad caddying for in his own words 'Rich Americans' and developed a love for caddying and helping players reach their potential afterwards. Jordan would alongside Annabell Fuller qualify for AIG Women's Open at St Andrews last year in what would be his first major and the most special one as it sadly was one of the last times his late mother would see him on the course.
As of this year Jordan started the first few events in Morocco, Saudi & Taiwan with experienced winner Perrine Delacour learning different things along the way before bagging with Megan Dennis for last weeks Australian Women's Classic where they unfortunately missed the cut. Hopefully will see more of Jordan on tour this year! 
In a short space of time Jordy has developed into a good friend and it's great to see him out there doing well even with the dodgy accent ha ha!
Download via Podbean, Apple & Spotify & be sure to rate and review! 

(Caddy Series Ep 6, 166) Ryan Hilton

In this episode as we continue the Caddy Series I was joined by LPGA Tour caddy Ryan Hilton who just come back from an abrupt end to Singapore after his current player Jenny Shin had to withdraw due to a fever but Jenny should be fine for the next event in Arizona.
Ryan is from the Mid West of America and isn't too far from Erin Hills where this year's US Women's Open will be held! Ryan started his caddying career after meeting with a fellow pro while working as a coach at local golf course and last year was on the bag for 4x LET Winner Alexandra Försterling in her Rookie Year on LPGA and played events such as AIG Women's Open at St Andrews & Olympics for Germany. This year he got the call from Jenny Shin to work for her and started out together back in Australia before Thailand and Singapore. 
Hope you enjoy this insight from Ryan into life as a pro caddy. 
Like, Subscribe and Download on Podbean, Apple Podcasts & Spotify! Enjoy!

(Ep 165) Jana Melichová

In one of the most open, honest and heartbreaking interviews I've done so far I was joined by 2x LET winner Jana Melichova who is currently still recovering from a back injury that required some surgery with Jana hoping to make it back on tour to defend her title at Dutch Ladies Open in May as only recently of late has she been able to start hitting balls again!
Jana is from Pikovice outside of Prague in Czechia and is very close with Former podcast guest Sara Kouskova as well as the other Czech players Klara Davidson Spilkova, Krystina Napaleova and Tereza Melecka. She would go to the States for a scholarship at Old Dominion University in Virginia going on to win an individual title while also competing in 6x European Amateur Team Championships for Czechia as well as winning All American honours after finishing 13th at NCAA Division 1.
Jana would play a few events on tour as an Amateur including Czech Ladies Open on LET and Czech Ladies Challenge on LETAS. In 2022 Jana Melichova would make history by becoming only the 2nd player from Czech Republic to win on Ladies European Tour having won Czech Ladies Open by a shot defeating both fellow home favourite Klara Spilkova & the experienced Nicole Broch Estrup what makes it more impressive is Jana was still an Amateur!
Shortly after turning pro in 2022 Jana's life would change forever with the sad unexpected passing if her beloved mother and Jana bravely opens up about the impact that this tragic unfortunate event has played a role in her life and how she is trying to become more open and honest about it with the assistance of a Mental Coach. For at least 10 mins Jana bravely, fearlessly and amazingly fully opens up about the last few years and I have nothing but pure respect and admiration to her for that! It was written in the stars in May of last year at Dutch Ladies Open as Jana would win for the 2nd time on Tour on what would have been her mothers 60th Birthday weekend so it was a highly emotional victory for her and let out floods of emotions as she capitalised on the mistakes of Kim Metraux coming down the stretch to win for 2nd time!
Please be sure to Like, Subscribe,  Download while leaving some nice comments on Apple Podcasts, Podbean and Spotify and give this amazingly brave lady the love and support she needs. She deserves your listens! Powerful, raw and emotional and I hope you enjoy it!

(Ep 164) Sara Byrne

The player interviews continue as I was joined by rising star & 2024 Curtis Cup star Sara Byrne who tees it up this week on the Epson Tour in Florida after winning both status on LET & Epson Tour. Primarily Sara will be focusing for the time being on Epson Tour as she bids on her quest to achieve a life goal dream of becoming a LPGA Tour player.
A successful figure at University of Miami Sara was ranked as high as 44th in World Amateur Golf Rankings & is a 2x Irish National Champion. It's been a stellar Amateur career for Sara having at University of Miami she achieved the lowest scoring average in UoM history (70.34), won 2 NCAA D1 Tournaments, participated at World Amateur Team Championship in 2023, competed at 2024 Palmer Cup and would go undefeated in a historic run at 2024 Curtis Cup for GB&I at Sunningdale where she & Augusta National Women's Amateur Champion Lottie Woad would go undefeated in Fourballs & Foursomes while Sara would defeat Catherine Park 3&2 on Sunday Singles. 
After Curtis Cup Sara would turn pro and get her professional debut at Rose Ladies Open event on LETAS finishing T13th & would also make the weekend of both La Sella Open (T41st) & Lacoste Ladies Open De France (T28th). At LET Final Q School after 5 gruelling rounds Sara would finish 15th overall to gain her full LET Card for 2025 along with Epson Tour card. In her first start as a LET member Sara would be right into contention even taking the lead at the first event of season at Lalla Meryem Cup eventually finishing T24th. 
I wish Sara the best for 2025 on Epson Tour. 
 
Guys be sure to Download via Podbean,  Apple & Spotify! Like & Subscribe it all means a lot