The Shotgun Start

Andy and Brendan record this “extra” Tuesday episode to discuss, well, the biggest golf news to ever happen, non-Tiger division? Including Tiger division? They react to the details of the PGA Tour and LIV merger announcement, which is still light on many of those details. They remark on just how secretive this process was with hardly anyone knowing what was coming, including most of the players and maybe Greg Norman. Saudi money is officially injected into the PGA Tour with a new, for-profit TBD “entity,” that has Yasir Al-Rumayyan as the chairman but without majority-PIF board control. They discuss how Jay Monahan navigated the last few years and the immediate player fury at the news of the deal. And what will the future look like exactly with a possible world tour? We will continue to discuss this massive story as more of the details emerge.

There are no Sunday scaries here, as Andy and Brendan are bubbling to talk about a fantastic day and weekend of golf. They begin with the LPGA, where Rose Zhang debuted as a pro, and won. They discuss the incredible achievement, the hype train that’s chugging full steam, and caution about setting insane expectations. They also hit on the concurrent AJGA event and the abominable pace of play at Liberty National. On the PGA Tour, they praise Viktor Hovland’s “mettle” to survive a brutally hard Muirfield Village, a venue that Hovland had some spicy thoughts about earlier in the week on Norwegian television. They elaborate more on the test at Jack’s place, and debate whether you should be more concerned about Scheffler’s putting or Rory’s approach play following that Sunday. There’s some intel about Matt Wolff’s departure from Team Smash, and more news on a Memorial schedule change. Lastly, they run through the U.S. Open Final Qualifying sites, picking a name, or two from each one to watch on Monday -- beware of Brian Stuard at Springfield!

It’s a whiparound Friday episode, with Andy and Brendan discussing various maladies and which occupations might be the worst for someone who is chatty. Then they get to the rough ride of the Frugalites in Central Ohio. Also out of Columbus was news of a player meeting with the USGA and continued critical comments about the MLR. Is it possible there is a retreat or a few majors just played with different equipment? There’s further information on J.B. Holmes’s shenanigans in Tennessee. Matt Wolff washing out of Team Smash is discussed. The concept of the “Reverse Zatch” is also explored. SGS Golf Advice begins with a wild tale of a player looking for a game in Beirut, and finding one in an less-than-friendly area.

Due to the Monday holiday in the United States, this is a BEEFY hybrid episode discussing all that happened in golf over the weekend with a look forward to the shhhhedule for the week. There is a lot of college golf talk at the top as Andy braces for Illinois’s run in Arizona. They discuss some disappointments, flops, and contenders for the ECCO Event of the Week at the men’s national title. There’s also lots of chatter about the LIV event in DC and some of the young players on that Tour performing in relative anonymity. Andy has some thoughts on PGA Frisco’s championship debut as Stricks goes for a Social Security Slam. The second half hits on the upcoming shhhhedule for the week, with some Memorial picks and thoughts on Muirfield Village, Rose Zhang’s pro debut, and some Euro Tour eligibility questions. News hits on Phil’s Twitter spat with Brandel and an amusing, perhaps disturbing, Internet rumor about J.B. Holmes playing as an eight handicap in an event somewhere in Tennessee.

This Friday episode continues on the Michael Block takeover of the golf world, and maybe the larger sports world. Andy and Brendan record as Mr. Block plays through his first round at Colonial, and discuss his comments on a podcast that he’d be one of the top players in the world with Rory’s distance. They lament some of the overcoverage, praise him for his interview endurance, and are happy he’s getting his during this big moment. Then they move on to Claude Harmon III’s incendiary comments about LIV coverage, Brooks doubters, fake stars like Will Zalatoris, and much more. Some unsubstantiated rumor Friday nuggets discuss yet another class of events that might be coming to the PGA Tour. They close with SGS Golf Advice on some range etiquette, a fake St. Andrews tale, and a cocky caddie

This punchy Wednesday episode begins with the continued Michael Block whirlwind that has completely taken the national discourse by storm. Andy and Brendan react to his appearance on all three network morning shows, some of his betting odds for Colonial, and his tee time grouping for the first two rounds. Schedule for the week bounces around, first heaping praise on Rose Zhang as the GOAT of women’s college golf and giving out the ECCO event of the week to the NCAAs. Then they discuss some of the other amusements from Colonial and the Stand-up mixer Championship’s debut at PGA Frisco. There’s some disturbing news from the grounds of the KFT event. LIV returns with an event in DC, where Brooks may not be in ship shape after a week of partying in South Florida. Sergio Garcia’s qualification for the U.S. Open is cause to reflect on his career vis-a-vis Brooks and their comparable talents. News hits on Jim Nantz being named a design consultant for a short course in Minnesota.

It was a fantastic PGA Sunday so a peppy Andy and Brendan check in one last time for the week to discuss it all, starting with Brooks Koepka’s fifth major championship win. They praise Koepka’s work both at Oak Hill and over the course of his career as the majors king of this era. They wrangle with the LIV question, and whether this brings any “validation” to that tour or product and also address the Ryder Cup question. Viktor Hovland’s real challenge is praised, while Rory McIlroy’s mismanagement is not. Michael Block, the darling of the week, is also discussed as the likely top story of the entire championship for general sports and non-golf fans. His two exemptions that broke during recording are also reacted to as the Tour thirsts for a Block bump. The Oak Hill setup and the kind of leaderboard talent it produced is examined. Some disappointments from the weekend are also noted. This episode was sponsored by AG1 by Athletic Greens, whose ad read comes with a significant mea culpa from the two idiot hosts.

Andy and Brendan are joined by Shane Bacon, who is in Rochester calling the PGA, for this Saturday night 54-hole check-in on the PGA Championship. The first several minutes are a lot of Michael Block talk -- the incredible story, and the exposure, and the golf media lapping up every drop. There’s amusement at how he wiped Scottie Scheffler off the coverage. The rest of the episode is a lot of Contender/Pretender around the leaderboard, from Block to Rory to Brooks up on top. There’s some amusing Bryson and Crushers chatter, and a few more thoughts on the kind of golf this setup has produced, punished, and rewarded and why it may not be some people’s cup of tea.

Joseph LaMagna joins Andy and Brendan for this midpoint check-in on the PGA Championship. The setup at Oak Hill, with its firm fairways and thicc rough is put in the crosshairs. The trio discuss some of the most impressive performances from Friday, and some of their biggest disappointments. This leads to extended chats on Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Brooksy, Hovland, and many more. They ponder who still has a chance with 36 holes to go in a makeshift contender-pretender. The story and play of Club Pro Michael Block is given its due, but there are complaints about the branded leaderboard for club pros only. They close with some thoughts on hot mic Friday, which included an f-bomb from just a guy during a somewhat puerile moment at the 14th hole.

Andy and Brendan quickly run through a great, full day of the PGA Championship at Oak Hill. They begin with some thoughts on the absolutely wonderful course conditions, which had balls bouncing and bounding all over for a mid May date. There are some thoughts on Higa’s big moment and Bryson’s return to the stage of competitive golf after a long, hard five-year journey. There are many other notes and comments including some shots of the day, quotes of the day, worst outfits, and reviews of Rory and his low Whoop score, Spieth, DJ, Brooksy, Scheffler’s pace of play, and Jason Day’s practice-free week. Thanks to B.Draddy for their support of this episode -- use promo code TFE at checkout on BDraddy.com for 30 percent off.

Andy and Brendan are back for another major championship. This preview episode begins not with talk of gnomes but rather garbage plates, and who might be suckered into indulging in one in player dining. There’s also some anti-Wegman’s chatter. Then they get to the major, noting the field and the potential for losing Jordan Spieth, who was on site and being diagnosed by many amateur doctors. The course is previewed, focusing on some of the punishing stretches and internal OB on the front nine. The traditional best tee times goes in a million directions, on Rory, Rahm, burly boys, Ryder Cup scouting, and the LIV options (Bryson?) for the week. The weekly press conference parade is dissected as well, with more notes on Rory’s reticence, Rahm’s abdication, Waugh’s waffling on the rollback, and yes, of all people, Shaun Micheel. They close with one and done picks, the moment everyone’s waiting for in the greater gambling community.

It’s major championship-eve and Andy and Brendan are ready for Oak Hill but first they need to discuss a likely best-case scenario for the non-designated Nelson in Jason Day ending a winless drought on Mother’s Day. They laud the TPC Summerlin model for getting the winning score in at 23-under. They pan CBS for the coverage at the conclusion. With LIV Tulsa, they praise the industrious Stingers and discuss many CW affiliates taking the golf off their station with about 90 minutes to go and a great leaderboard. The Senior Tour major is a reason to talk about arguably the most offensive backboard situation in all of pro golf, with a little Stricker dominance mixed in. The event that got perhaps the best finish of weekend was the LPGA’s Founders Cup with a playoff between two of the best on tour from the past couple years. There’s also a shoutout for the Swedish winner on the Euro Tour.

Andy and Brendan get going on this Friday episode with reaction to Phil Mickelson tweeting, then deleting, then tweeting, and then deleting, an accusation at the PGA of America for colluding with the PGA Tour to discriminate against LIV players getting into its PGA Championship field. This was a nice segue from an amusing Phil message that Andy saw on the wall at a Chicago hot dog and beef joint. There’s a handful of LIV Tulsa thoughts, some Bears-Browns schedule chatter, and a Richy Werenski apology. News hits on the PGA Tour bringing an opposite field event to Myrtle Beach, which is accompanied by an unsubstantiated rumor. The episode closes with SGS Golf Advice featuring emails on a golf trip format lament, bachelor party golf at an elite club, tattoos on the course, and a friend who re-putts everything until he makes it.

This lively Wednesday episode was recorded quite early on Tuesday, but Brendan and Andy are buoyed by the promise of a three-peat for the Husky Boy. Andy is also slightly enthused by his hockey team landing the top pick for a generational talent, but more excited about the honor in one of his Illinois golfers DQ’ing himself. Then they get on to the Byron Nelson, aka Husky Boy Invitational, and what’s been done to TPC Craig Ranch following the renowned architectural trend known as the TPC Summerlin Model. Brendan also quizzes Andy on some of the two-year tour winner exemption holders at this event -- what did Richy Werenski win so long ago that he’s here playing on that exemption? Schedule for the week hits on a “major” in Alabama, the Soudal Open in Antwerp, and some college golf stories. News hits on Jordan Spieth’s WD and what it means for the PGA, Sergio refusing to pay his Euro Tour fine, LIV Adelaide members angry about damage to the course, and PGA Tour U expanding its perks.

Andy and Brendan make a pledge at the start of this episode that it will absolutely not go over a certain mark, and then they blow past that as they forgot to do an ad read. They begin with some thoughts on the IL Crown format, the relatively un-dramatic 2023 edition, and the pieces in place. Then they get to Wells Fargo, where Andy and Brendan debate whether this is proof that the Designated model will have some real issues next year when it’s not mandatory that top players, such as Rahm and Scheffler, show up to play. There’s some Rickie chatter, and a good bit on Michael Kim earning an Open exemption. There’s also discussion about the Warriors “coach” uniforms and the preposterous Coronation scripting. On the Euro Tour, they discuss Adrian Meronk’s win and push to make the Ryder Cup, and how terrible the golf course looks. The Champions Tour has a real, legit interesting dustup with the angry tweets of Paul Goydos about rampant cart usage on that circuit, with a big shot at Commish Jay mixed in for good measure.

It’s Friday! Andy and Brendan discuss a variety of topics as we barrel toward the weekend. They begin with some of the drama around this Talor Gooch exemption cutout for the U.S. Open, and some of Phil’s working theories for it. That leads to a digression on some of the unseen tactics that can be deployed by one prominent manufacturer that begins with a “t” and ends with a “t” in the ongoing rollback and bifurcation battle. Rory McIlroy working with the TaylorMade team for six or seven months on some new wedges is a nice segue from that. There’s some LeBron vs. Steph chatter and excitement about the Bears NFC North chances against a Rodgers-less Packers team. Lee Westwood’s poor choice of words about resigning from the DP World Tour is covered, as are the Ryder Cup implications for the European side and its captain’s room in the future. SGS Golf Advice goes into great detail on the subject of starters, their personalities, and their utility, as well as dogs on the golf course and refusing a request from someone to join you as solo.

This late Wednesday episode is thanks to Brendan’s delayed return from vacation and Andy’s road-weary week traveling the coast of California to prep for the upcoming U.S. Opens. They begin with some meandering chat about these travels and vacation preferences before jumping into an amuse bouche of whiparound Wednesday tidbits on Dustin Johnson’s favorite movie, Tony Romo’s first tee routine at U.S. Open qualifying, and the banning of Omar Uresti. The latest tidbit leads to the PGA Club Pro Champ becoming event of the week. Schedule for the week focuses on the Wells Fargo, Quail Hollow’s ubiquity in pro golf, and Rory’s return to the Tour. The best practices for poaching a caddie are also discussed, with news that Joe LaCava, with Tiger’s blessing, is taking the bag of Patrick Cantlay. The International Crown is given the real event of the week. News hits on a test case for the Pat Perez Provision, Jim Furyk being named Prez Cup captain, and Annika getting an exemption into the U.S. Women’s Open.

Joseph LaMagna joins the podcast while Brendan continues to relax on vacation and discusses the weekend in golf with Andy. They start by wondering who if anyone watched the LIV Singapore event that featured a dynamite leaderboard. The PGA Tour's Mexico Open prompted a long discussion on what exactly needs to happen with the schedule moving forward and Tony Finau's recent run of wins against weak fields. The podcast closes with some thoughts on the Alker Boy and one handed chipping on the Champions Tour.

Shane Bacon joins the podcast while Brendan is on vacation to discuss the best NBA -Golfer comparisons. Discussions include who is Grayson Murray and Stephen Curry before ending with some Golf Advice centered around a significant other purchasing golf shirts and the 100 hole hike.

Andy and Brendan are back for a Wednesday episode about a bunch of different things, somewhat related to this week’s golf schedule. They begin bouncing around some ideas about the Mexico Open, its underwhelming field, and what to do about non-designated events, if anything. Is Jon Rahm or the field the better play this week? Notables return for the schedule for the week, which hits on another Champs Tour event, the women going to Wilshire, the PGA Pro Championship, and more. There’s an unplanned segment on LIV Golf “winning” weeks or making a dent, and what that future roadmap is all about after reading the current top 10 in its standings. Some comments from DJ and Brooksy pop up in news, as does the new PGA Tour Americas system.

This Monday episode begins with the NBA minute with both Andy and Brendan wallowing in Cavs and Kings losses, but one still claiming a victory Monday. Then they move to the LPGA’s first major of the year, or alleged major. Both express some dismay about the lack of pop at the first Chevron Championship, from the weather to the course to the pace of play. They congratulate Lilia Vu and feel for Angel Yin, but they wonder about what distinguished this event from others on the LPGA circuit. At the Zurich, they discuss the format and what an event like this might do in the future to stand out any more, if that’s even possible. There’s also a full recounting of John Daly and David Duval’s alt shot Friday. LIV’s big party down under is discussed, with some praise for the crowds but still questions about the product. The finish is a live viewing of the Charlie Wi vs. Mark Hensby playoff until dark on the Champs Tour.

This Friday episode begins with a discussion on whether 4/20 falls into a fake holiday category. Brendan is joined by Joseph LaMagna to discuss this and other important topics, like John Daly and David Duval shooting 3-over par in a best ball format, Paresh Amin’s alt-shot potential, and other non-competitive elements of the Zurich. Tiger Woods’s announced surgery is also discussed, as is the notion that he should be calling it a career. They hit on all the LIV teammates playing together in Australia, and how that’s anti-competitive. Zach Johnson’s softened stance on LIV players potentially making the Ryder Cup team is noted. There’s a delectable Tony Romo rumor about his presence at the celebrity Champions Tour event. They close it out with SGS Golf Advice on rules jerks, a guy bringing his kid to every round, wearing golf shoes to a Tour event, and catching a guy picking up your ball.

It’s Whiparound Wednesday on the Shotgun Start, where Andy and Brendan had even less-than-normal prep or plan before hitting record to get this episode done. Honestly, it’s mostly just reading off a list of the many odd and terrible teams at the Zurich and reacting to them. They debate who will finish last. There’s also an amusing somewhat substantiated rumor about Shad Tuten. They discuss the videos of Patrick Cantlay being heckled that emerged from Harbour Town, as well as Jordan “just a guy” Spieth delivering a monster TV rating there. The Chevron Championship is previewed, with some thoughts about Carlton Woods. This week also marked the return of our beloved “notables” section in the shhhedule for the week.

This Monday episode is a wander, with little on that electric Jordan Spieth and Matt Fitzpatrick finish at the RBC Heritage until the midpoint of the episode. Andy and Brendan begin with some thoughts on the NBA playoffs and Sacramento Kings bandwagoning vs. Northwestern bandwagoning. There’s also some chatter about a designated event coming the week after a major and whether that needs correcting. There’s some discussion on a truly insane tweet from a PGA Tour pro, Jon Rahm’s performance in the CBS booth, and other miscellany. Then they get to the Spieth-Fitz drama, and who impressed or disappointed more. Patrick Cantlay’s week of being roasted for slow play is also reviewed, with some half-hearted (or corrupted) defenses. Grace Kim’s win on the LPGA and Spencer Levin’s win on the KFT are also discussed, before news hits on some players getting in a couple pops at Rory for skipping another designated event and a LIV player complaining about not enough events.

This Wednesday episode begins with some questions for Andy on his round at Augusta National, yielding a handful of amusements in the “forgetting to turn your mic on” category. Then Brendan and Andy move to some clean-up from the first men’s major, discussing the huge TV ratings, Brooksy’s Sunday struggles and welcome return to major contention, the Phil question, and LIV’s schedule between now and the next major. They confront the Ryder Cup questions, with LIV players maybe bagging enough points at majors to push for a spot on the USA team. On the RBC Heritage, they make one-and-done picks and discuss Rory McIlroy’s unexpected WD on Monday morning. In more bummer news, they also react to the announcement of Will Zalatoris having season-ending back surgery.

Andy and Brendan record one final time from Augusta National, debriefing their day following the final groups at the Masters. They discuss Jon Rahm’s brilliance on Sunday, from starting four back of Brooks Koepka for the resumption of play in the morning to cruising to a four-shot win over Brooks and … Phil Mickelson? They hit on the Koepka-Rahm dynamic in the final group, and how Rahm really took it to him hitting first off most tees. Koepka’s final round could have also been impacted by the pace of play, which was inexcusably slow and unfair to the final twosome. They assess who else might be walking away frustrated, happy, or meh from the first page of the leaderboard. Some final thoughts on Augusta National and how it played are relayed, before a few more amusing patron anecdotes to close out the week.

A soggy Brendan and Andy record this Saturday podcast from Augusta National, where they empty the notebook with various amusements from the rain-soaked second and third round. They debate whether this is now down to a two-horse race, playing some unofficial contender vs. pretender while discussing the brilliance of Brooks and the bad draw of Rahm. Tiger Woods’s made cut streak continued, and they pass on a few observations from watching him in the morning. Big Jay Kokrak saying Augusta should be ashamed of themselves is given a close review. They close it out with notes on the horticulture team and a call to ban umbrellas from all sporting events and golf tournaments.

Mother Nature called it early on Friday at the Masters, where storms rolled in and trees started falling around the 17th tree. Fortunately, no one was injured but there was much reaction to the dramatic scene. It’s not the only battle that will happen with Mother Nature this weekend, as a new game within the game is brought to light. On golf, they discuss Brooksy’s dominant 36-hole run and whether that story may even be usurped by the amateur Sam Bennett playing his way into second or third by the time this second round is over. Then Andy and Brendan empty the notebook from another day walking around ANGC, with some amusing notes on Zatch, headgear, a club championship fight, and much more.

Andy and Brendan are live(ish) from the Masters press building with this quick(ish) episode on the first round from Augusta National. They discuss the three leaders, beginning with Brooks Koepka and the potential cheating scandal with caddies signaling clubs to one another in the group. They then move to Viktor Hovland, and react to his round after watching a truly horrifying short-game practice session up close in the morning. Amusements from run-ins with Sandy Lyle and Larry Mize are also relayed. There’s searing blowback for the player moaning about the lengthening of the 13th tee and threats of laying up. There’s another thirstbucket given out and a couple harmless unsubstantiated rumors passed along. They close by emptying out the notebook with some sights and sounds from the day.

Andy and Brendan check in from Augusta for their official Masters “preview” episode, which rambles on with educating tidbits and amusements picked up from the ground both on golf and non-golf topics. They discuss Tiger Woods’s press conference and expectations for this week, and the same for Rory McIlroy after listening to and following him on Tuesday. There’s ample Aldrich Potgieter appreciation, and some more serious amateur chatter on Gordon Sargent. They do a bit on the course, their reactions to the 13th tee, make some picks and darkhorse selections, and then pick out their favorite tee time groupings for the first two rounds.

This was a quick impromptu episode from the kitchen as we waited for the NCAA national title game to start at a preposterously late hour. Andy and Brendan are joined by Sean Martin and Kyle Porter for a quick one take from each around the table on the Masters or characters relevant to it this year.

Andy and Brendan are BACK in Augusta for the first of many in-person recordings this week at the Masters. They begin with some amusing early intel on, who else, Woosie, after a few hours at Augusta National on Sunday afternoon. Then it’s on to Sunday’s action, focusing on the Corey Conners and Brooks Koepka wins. They play a quick game of whether Brooksy’s win at LIV Orlando means anything and makes him a top 15 favorite for the Masters. Garrett Morrison then joins for an ANWA segment after his attendance at that event all weekend. They laud Rose Zhang, raise their eyebrows about her dad-caddie, and consider the event in its fourth year of existence taking a dominant place in women’s amateur golf.

It’s the last episode before we officially hit Masters week, and Brendan consults with two talented experts for two very different segments. Golf Digest's Joel Beall joins first to discuss his fantastic and lengthy recent story on Augusta National and its tension between continued expansion and its history and identity. Beall describes the reporting process of talking to 70-plus sources, including several members, what surprised him about ANGC’s plans, the DOJ antitrust probe’s impact inside the club, and what he thinks a future there might look like. There’s also a good section devoted to the potential second course at Augusta -- how far along are discussions and who might be consulted for it. The second half of the episode brings in Ryan Nanni, of Shutdown Fullcast, bloomin onion, and Florida expertise fame, to discuss LIV’s descent on Orlando, and if anyone will notice. He then joins BP to answer some SGS Golf Advice questions on a fake hole in one, losing a long drive contest to a 13 year-old, paddle tennis fraud, and taking lessons with a spouse.

Shane Bacon graces us with his voice and presence for this Wednesday episode, which begins with a few Masters odds and ends as the hype and build-up begins with the tournament just a week away. Shane and Brendan discuss some early storylines, including the looming LIV arrival and commingling with PGA Tour pros on the grounds at Augusta National. Will there actually be tension or confrontation? In schedule for the week, they relay some amusing TPC San Antonio stories, make one-and-done picks, and ponder why some pros are teeing it up in Texas. They also discuss LIV’s prep at the Crooked Cat in Orlando, and the LPGA’s continued West Coast swing with the one true LA Open. News hits on a PGA Tour memo outlining the various statuses for next year under the new Designated framework, the value and weighting of FedEx Cup points, Mike Trout National coming from designer Tiger Woods, and some early CBS plans for the Masters.

Andy jumps on from his vacation but minus a mic cord so apologies for the sound quality. Brendan joins to discuss a fabulous WGC Match Play from Austin, where everything and everyone delivered and certainly made the Tour’s choice to end the event look worse and worse each day. They praise the top players, including Bermuda Burns, for all showing out on one of the better weekends in the event’s history. They discuss Rory McIlroy’s amazing drive to three feet and how it became a stupid talking point in the bifurcation debate. The subject of mallet vs. blade putters also comes up, given Rory’s recent change. The results whiparound also yields some amusing intel from the ground at the Corales Puntacana Championship, where a couple old hands were screaming mad in a players meeting with Jay Monahan in town.

This Friday episode is a potpourri of thoughts on the Match Play and Puntacana championships. Andy and Brendan ponder which elite player from last year should be more concerned given recent runs of form: Will Zalatoris or Matt Fitzpatrick? There’s also some quick Rickie appreciation following his takedown of Jon Rahm. Then they get into the USGA making some significant changes to the qualifying processes for the U.S. Amateur, its original championship. They discuss what those changes will do to the field and also some unintended consequences. The TaylorMade survey is also given a few minutes of amusement. SGS Golf Advice hits on a Schenk putter effect, breaking it down for some slow playing in-laws, a scorecard issue lowering your handicap to dangerous levels, and how to get more Mid-Am reps.

This Wednesday episode is stunted by technical difficulties but you get a solid chat on the WGC Match Play and the PGA Tour’s curious decision to end it and abandon Austin. Andy and Brendan ponder what current event might be suitable for a match play spot on the schedule, and the Tour’s argument for why East Lake doesn’t work. This year’s edition of the Match Play is given some attention, with scariest and stinkiest pools chosen, drama about Rory’s equipment, and some one-and-done picks. At the opposite field event, they once again play In, Out, or Alternate for one of the more wild and random fields of the season. They close with news of one big equipment company asking for random fan takes on the rollback in a survey.

This is an episode guaranteed to give you at least one (1) good Adam Schenk fact, among many other things related to Jordan Spieth, LIV Golf puttering and billowing about, the NCAA tourney, and a PGA Tour daycare issue.

As a precaution, this Friday episode was recorded just before the Illinois NCAA tournament game. Andy and Brendan jump into the early tourney action delivering as always, and wonder what the hell LIV is doing scheduling its event opposite that. They also lament the peripheral and buried Phil Mickelson not really having a stage, or a relevant one, to offer comment on the ball rollback. Someone who does have a stage is Justin Thomas, and they go through his “rant” in Tampa about the selfish USGA, anti-athlete rollback, and the potential for them “doing their own thing.” Peter Kostis’s insane solution to have exploding drivers is also reviewed. A hearty SGS Golf Advice closes it out, with listener notes on a club championship scoring disaster, a miserable customer golf experience, and balancing expectations to play well and steady on an expensive/great course.

This Wednesday episode comes on the heels of the USGA and R&A announcing a “Model Local Rule” that would rollback the golf ball some 20 yards for elite male competition. Andy and Brendan talk at length about the announcement, how it will impact the highest levels of the game, what was missing from it, and if it went far enough in combating the distance problem. They discuss the backlash and reaction to it from OEMs like Titliest, players those companies pay like Webb Simpson, and the PGA Tour’s rather toothless show of support in its statement. That triggers a world of hypotheticals wherein the Tour might play with the suped-up stuff while the majors play a different, realer golf. After that rollback chat, they hit on shhhedule for the week, make some picks for the preeminent gambling pod, and hit on the news of LIV’s trademark claim being blocked by the Miami nightclub. Also, is there a worse sports weekend to have a LIV event than opposite the first and second rounds of the NCAA tournament?

It’s a Victory Monday episode for a few sundry reasons, and Andy and Brendan jump right into it discussing Scottie Scheffler’s dominant win at The Players Championship. They debate the label of his “boring” golf or personality that seems to be an issue for some, and praise the actual game, strategy, and execution show that he put on all weekend. They discuss his “generational” and “all-time” potential after yet another signature win. Then they play a back-and-forth game of “impressed vs. underwhelmed,” running through various players and subjects that fall into one or the other camp from the week that was at TPC Sawgrass. There are some harsh words for a few Euros and some kind words for a certain “elite” Horned Frog. They sign off by asking if the LIV guys were actually missed from this event at all.

This Friday episode is a narrow-ranging review of the first round at The Players Championship, where Brendan has spent the week. They start with some of the driver drama with Collin Morikawa’s switch back to an old TaylorMade model and prompt first round 65, and Rory McIlroy struggling to find a new fit after worries his old one might be getting too hot. They also discuss Morikawa’s contention, and others, about driving accuracy becoming perhaps the most important part of putting together a good round this week. The pace of play mess is also panned, with the first round not even getting close to finishing before dark. News hits on the lawsuit filed against Tiger Woods by his ex-girlfriend, and then SGS Golf Advice closes it out on a hilarious “thrown clubs” bet and the awkwardness of a single asking to join you.

Andy and Brendan are punchy for the Players preview, which will have you feeling as unprepared as ever for the PGA Tour’s gold standard. They react to the full day of press conferences following a players meeting in the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse. Jay Monahan’s hour at the mic is given a review, as is Rory McIlroy’s presser and others’ comments reacting to James Hahn and some grumbling from the middle tier. They talk a little about TPC Sawgrass and what continues to make it a unique event and test, and then rifle through some of the worst, best, and most amusing tee times for the first two rounds. News hits on Netflix ordering another season of Full Swing and then it’s another handful of rambling segments on various characters signs us off before the start of the 5th major.

This Monday episode is a ramble with Brendan traveling to LUPLAND and Andy battling spotty wifi, but the two react to a delightful and amusing Sunday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. They discuss Kurt Kitayama’s rise to win one of the game’s elite events, his unattractive game holding up against the likes of Spieth and Rory and Scheffler, and if Bay Hill truly delineates the best golfer from the week. There’s plenty of ammo for the “just a guy” narrative from the sketchy drop to the putting at the finish. They debate more about the new Designated formats for next year and where that would have left someone like Harris English. James Hahn’s comments are given a quick examination, with plenty of laughs but also a few points that may be somewhat valid however inarticulately told.

This Friday episode begins with an extended chat on the Illinois basketball player who missed time for drinking too much Monster. Then Andy and Brendan jump into the news of the framework for designated events in 2024. They disagree, quite often, about the importance of removing the cut and the field sizes being just 70 or 78 players. They also discuss the scheduling or bunching of designated and non-designated events, and how those fields will be built on the qualification criteria of various courier cup points. They debate how this might be WGCs 2.0 with some fervor. SGS golf advice hits on a nightmare week at golf school and some preferred lies abuse, before they go back for more on the Tour overhauls and allegations that Brendan is being nice before a trip to Ponte Vedra.

It’s Wednesday so Andy and Brendan begin with a debate about high school basketball. Then they get to Bay Hill and another designated event on the docket. That results in an unplanned follow-up on LIV and some of its issues surrounding context and getting off the ground with delusional revenue goals. They also discuss the paltry ratings numbers that have come out in recent days. On Bay Hill, they discuss what they’ve come to actually appreciate about the API as a test for pro golfers and year-over-year ability to yield primo winners. The opposite of primo is the opposite field Puerto Rico Open, and instead of hollering about that field for another year, Andy quizzes Brendan on a list of names, making him guess between In/Out/Alternate. This results in many incredulous laughs, and some old-fashioned hollering too about “Big Tom Callahan” and many others.

It’s a lively Monday episode that begins with the discussion of some bland weekend home maintenance projects. Then Andy and Brendan get into the finish at the Honda Classic, where Chris Kirk nearly hit a Honda parked in the middle of the pond at the 18th. There’s some amusing intel on that activation, and a little praise for the potential niche that a non-designated event could carve. Then they review the LIV season two debut, wondering where the momentum or proof of concept may come from next and relaying some grumbling about the general state of things. They discuss the CW debut and the lack of context for anything that happens on that Tour. Then they have a thought experiment about who would go back to Q school and advance out of there should this fall apart at some point.

It’s Friday! Andy and Brendan jump into it with some early thoughts on the Burly Boy from England by way of Louisiana, the Baton Boy at home in Florida, and a Coody immediately popping on the Honda leaderboard. There’s an audio “Design Disasters” segment after Brendan woke up to a 3-minute rant from a Euro Tour caddie on the 17th at DLF, which demanded further investigation. Then they get to the LIV season opener, and all the social media stunts the players have had to partake in down in Mexico. There’s also a review of Pat Perez’s quip about the PGA Tour being booted from the venerable Mayakoba and Peter Uihlein’s analogy that the 4 Aces are just like the Yankees. There’s some incredulity and scorn for the new SIWGR. The week closes with an SGS Golf Advice segment on Full Swing watching best practices, albatross doubt, and a “vigilante course setup.”

This Wednesday episode begins with some important decisions and marital kerfuffles on the home improvement scene. Then Brendan and Andy get to the final announcement of the LIV teams, with some incredulous words for the way Phil Mickelson is spending some of the sunset days of his career. Conversely, there’s great admiration and surprise for Captain Bubba’s team-building philosophies. News of tape-delayed coverage on the CW is also discussed, and whether that matters for overall numbers. They also discuss the dog portraits that players are receiving in Mayakoba. The stinky Honda Classic field is previewed within the context of how something like this now fits in the Designated era. They get into some of the also-ran names, but also highlight the potential for a youth movement. Then it’s on to the event of the week, the great DLF’s return to the Euro Tour for the Indian Open. They read some excerpts on the course and marvel at its so-bad-it’s-good abilities. News hits on the R&A changing some Open exemptions and Sam Bennett’s choice to skip Riviera, which leads to an extremely cool story about Stephen Curry.

Andy and Brendan begin this Monday episode after a highlight of the PGA Tour schedule by discussing some childcare angst. Then they quickly jump into a fabulous weekend of golf from Rivieria, where Jon Rahm ascended to world No. 1 with another win and Max Homa pushed him down the stretch. They hit on the notion of Rahm as “clearly” the best player in the world, if not most consistent. They praise Homa’s post-game comments and continued approach pushing the best in the world down the stretch of primo events. They discuss how Riviera holds up, or doesn’t, to the modern player and equipment. Oh, also, there’s a Tiger chat, mostly about his prospects and reasons for optimism. Results discusses Bernie anchoring his way to Hale Irwin’s record and the Pissbear getting a Euro Tour win. News hits on Thomas Pieters going to LIV, with some insight into what maybe prompted the move.