Sports Innerview With Ann Liguori

Ann replays Classic interviews she has done with legends Jan Stephenson and Gary Player. Jan Stephenson looks back on her career as the face of the LPGA in her early years on the Tour and her reaction when she finally got the phone call from Nancy Lopez that she got voted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2019. Gary Player talks about his legendary career, his passion for daily work-outs, and his reaction to his son Wayne's antics at Augusta National in 2021 during the Honorary Starters ceremony.

Ann talks about the new competitive model that PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan announced during the Players Championship, the details of the 'elevated' events, the huge increase in prize money, and what its impact may be for lower ranked players. Ann plays portions of press conferences from both Commissioner Jay Monahan and Rory McIlroy as they discuss the 2024 plan.

Ann visits with John Simpson, former Executive at IMG who was the Business Manager for Bernhard Langer, Vijay Singh and Nick Faldo, and is the Founder of the On Course Foundation, using golf to help wounded, injured and sick military veterans. They discuss the early days at IMG with Arnold Palmer; how John has overcome his own disability of having polio as a child; his thoughts on the division in golf, PGA Tour vs LIV Golf; and the great work of his On Course Foundation.

Ann broadcasts from the Arnold Palmer Invitational at BayHill in Orlando, Florida, and talks with veteran golf writer Gary Van Sickle about the PGA Tour's changes for 2024 featuring reduced fields and no-cuts in various tourneys; visits with Alexa Phung and Eva Estrella, two girls from Long Island who will be competing in the Drive Chip & Putt National Finals at Augusta National on April 2; and with Ken Boehner, CEO/Pres., Arnold and Winnie Palmer Foundation, on the great work of the Foundation and 'Arnie's Army Legacy Experience,' showcasing The King's letters, artifacts, & memorabilia from Latrobe. 

Ann talks with Ken Boehner, CEO/Pres., Arnold and Winnie Palmer Foundation, on the great work of the Foundation which recently donated $250,000 to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children; and on 'Arnie's Army Legacy Experience,' showcasing The King's letters, artifacts, & memorabilia from Latrobe. 

Ann talks about the future of the PGA Tour's Honda Classic with Exe. Dir Emeritus Ken Kennerly, and about the transformation of PGA National and their six golf courses, including the Champion Course which hosts the Honda Classic.

Ken Kennerly, the Executive Director Emeritus of the Honda Classic, talks about the PGA Tour event going forward, as Honda's sponsorship ends this year; how the tourney has positively impacted the community through the years; and the special venue that is PGA National.

Ann chats with John McLaughlin, CEO, North & West Coast Links Golf, about the incredible Irish golf experience, courses to play in the North and West, how best to plan your next golf trip and much more.

Ann hosts the Golf Ireland panel at the PGA Show with guests Paul McGinley, former PGA Tour, European PGA Tour, Ryder Cup player and Captain; Alison Metcalfe, EVP, Tourism Ireland; and Gary McNeill, Head Pro, Royal Portrush, host of the 2019 and the 2025 Open Championship about golfing in Ireland, the wide variety of links and parkland courses, accommodations, accessibility, hospitality and the soul of the game. Ann talks with John McLaughlin, CEO, North and West Coast Irish Links, about that special region in Ireland, the many fine links courses there, and all it has to offer.

Ann visits with Alexa Phung and Ava Estrella who advanced to compete in the Drive Chip & Putt National Finals on Sunday, April 2, at Augusta National. Phung, 11 years old from Forest Hills, N.Y., will be competing in her third DCP National Finals, and talks about practicing with her older sister Amelie, how playing chess has helped her golf strategy and the 82-year-old veteran she is bringing to Augusta National. Ava Estrella, 15 years old from Brookville, N.Y., will be competing in her first DCP National Finals, and talks about practicing with her older brother and how doing ballet has helped her golf game.

Ann hosts the Tourism Ireland panel at the PGA Show and former PGA Tour player, European Tour player and Ryder Cup captain & player Paul McGinley; Alison Metcalfe, EVP, Tourism Ireland; and Gary McNeill, Head Pro, Royal Portrush, talk about IRELAND golf, having 1/3 the world's links courses, Royal Portrush hosting the 2025 Open Championship, Adare Manor hosting the 2027 Ryder Cip, why Ireland has become such a popular golf destination, why a country so small produces so many of the world's top players, Irish hospitality and 'craic,' how to plan a golf trip there, the soul of Irish golf, and much more.

Ann talks about protecting vision and enhancing sports performance for golfers and all athletes, with Dr. Graham Erickson, renown sports vision optometrist, and Andreas Wolf, President of EyePromise. Learn about MPOD readings and how to gain the edge on the greens, reading the lines better, protecting your eyes from sunlight and glare and over-all tips for improving your vision.

World renown Sports Vision Optometrist Dr. Graham Erickson, on the scientific Advisory Board of EyePromise, educates about the importance of golfers protecting their vision and enhancing sports performance; what lens in sunglasses are best to wear for golf; how EyePromise Vizual Edge Pro eye vitamins help increase pigment in one's retina which enables golfers to judge contrast better; withstand glare situations and recover faster from bright sunlight; what MPOD readings are; and why elite athletes such as Padraig Harrington and professional athletes in MLB, NHL and NFL are taking EyePromise Vizual Edge Pro.

Ann visits the Azores, only a 4 1/2 hour flight from JFK, and talks with Azores Golf Sales & Marketing Director Pilar Melo Antunes about the beautiful golf courses on Sao Miguel Island (Batalha Golf Club and Furnas Golf Club), the scenic beauty of the islands, the volcanic presence, thermal baths and hot springs, the delicious cuisine, culture and fun for the entire family.

Ann shares her experience golfing, dining and sight-seeing in the glorious Azores and Portugal, talking with experts in each area they visited. Learn which courses and areas to visit. Get ready for a fun-filled adventure and hear about the golf, the culture, history and beauty of The Azores and Portugal.

Ann catches up with stage and film actor Alex Hyde White, about his recently released memoir, the ups and downs of his acting career, inside stories about Hollywood, and his long-time love affair with golf.

Ann visits with multi-talented film and TV actor Alex Hyde-White, an avid golfer and sportsman. They discuss his recent memoir, 'In the Volumn: My Life in Film and TV,' including the ups and downs of his long-time acting career; what it was like working with Julia Roberts and Richard Gere in the blockbuster film, 'Pretty Woman;' working with Steven Spielberg; growing up as an athlete; looking back, what he would do over again; and much more.

Ann has a heart to heart with renown singer, songwriter and Mississippi's own Steve Azar, about his life, the ups and downs of his career, and how golf has played a major role in his life.

Ann visits with hit songwriter, singer and producer Steve Azar as he shares stories about the ups and downs of his musical career; his first break in music; his hit songs including 'I don't have to be me til Monday' and 'Sunshine;' why he moved back to Mississippi from Nashville during the height of his career; his musical influences; and how golf has been most 'instrumental' in his career.

Ann visits with Lydia Ko, winner of 2 Major titles and 18 LPGA victories about what she's learned most about herself in the last few years, her excellent 2022 season and designing her own golf shoe. Ann talks with Champions Tour player Jerry Pate about his career, winning the US Open as a rookie and his opinions on LIV Golf and to Jason Deegan of Golf Pass, about top courses to play in the US and beyond.