The Shotgun Start

It’s an odd week, so this Thursday episode is a bit of a mash-up, hitting both the schedule for the week while also getting out on an #FBF segment focused on past hollering about the Official World Golf Rankings, which finds itself again in the crosshairs of some hollering. Andy and Brendan begin with the schedule, which provokes an absolutely preposterous Jordan Spieth take. Unsubstantiated rumor Friday is an amusing one that focuses on some potential Dallas-area drama. Then it’s on to the LIV stunt forming a “strategic alliance” with the MENA Tour and spiking the football that they would be immediately getting OWGR points this week because of it. Precision Pro FBF looks back at a past OWGR controversy, when the majors started giving out exemptions based off the rankings and everyone seemed to hate the system for one reason or another, including Zinger, whose Op-Ed on it is read aloud to cap off the week.

It’s a road-weary Monday episode with Andy in Frisco, where he has some thoughts about the development of North Texas and the PGA’s “efficient” new headquarters. On golf, they discuss Sunday at the Old Course, where Alex Noren hit it off the Rusacks hotel for a potential eagle. That leads to a harebrained idea of how the Old Course should combat that kind of good break. There’s also some Ryan Fox talk and plenty of Rory quotes -- on weather, his consistency vs. the flash of his youth, and whether he’s taken over Billy Boy as the peak baton twirler. On the PGA Tour, they ponder whether Mac Hughes winning the Sanderson is just consolation for the Canadians after last week’s Pres Cup debacle. News touches on Bryson’s performance in the Pro Long Drive competition.

This Friday episode was recorded on a personal free zoom account with the 40-minute time limit, so it cuts off abruptly at the end, and one person was in his car shouting at the bluetooth. Andy and Brendan close out the week discussing the back-and-forth flurry of lawsuits this week -- the PGA Tour counterclaiming against LIV, Pat Reed expanding his defamation suit to include more people and a different jurisdiction, and a slew of LIV boys dropping from its suit, leaving 3 cannon fodder possibilities. They also discuss the report of an imminent TV deal with Fox that would have LIV buying time to get on the air. Rory McIlroy’s comments on OWGR and eventual peace talks are reviewed. They close with a PrecisionPro #FBF on the 2007 Dunhill, where Rory earned his Euro Tour card in just his second pro start.

This ramshackle Wednesday episode comes to you with Andy in a car and Brendan in a construction zone. The two try to make it snappy, hitting on the shhhhedule for the week, the importance of the Dunhill to the future of a bolstered European fall schedule, how the players can impose their will on that schedule, and what it might mean for the Sanderson, our other beloved event of the week. The back half of the podcast is on the news that LIV Golf has a format for its season finale or championship, with a dizzying mix of match and stroke play formats, teams calling out their opponents, and lots of cash. They discuss whether it’s a good, if not confusing and potentially incoherent, format to experiment with in Doral.

This Monday episode is a wide-ranging reaction to the Presidents Cup, which enjoyed an entertaining and more-competitive-than-expected weekend. Andy and Brendan discuss the weekend that was in Charlotte, but not without first swerving into a couple random topics like the excitement around a “clinching point” and “grit measurements.” Then they break things down with a revolutionary new format -- Winners and Losers. That leads them into the International team building, Trevor Immelman, Tom Kim, Justin Thomas vs. Si Woo, Max Homa, Spieth magic, Bassy, Canadian disasters, and the notion of Kevin Kisner as a match play specialist. It’s a rambling but somewhat comprehensive review of a strong weekend of match play.

This Friday episode reacts to the first day at the Presidents Cup, where the USA took a 4-1 lead over the Internationals. Andy and Brendan discuss the lineups, who flopped and who impressed. They get into the agonizing pre-match ceremony, the playing-through golf, and the fight in the International side against what could just be a dominant era of American golf in all team events. The second half of the podcast is a Flashback Friday to the time when the International players, led by Greg Norman, fired their captain, David Graham, just a month or two before the 1996 Presidents Cup. It’s an amusing tale that’s hard to imagine happening now. They close with reactions to the lineups announced for Day 2 at Quail Hollow.

This Wednesday episode serves as our official Presidents Cup preview. If you’ve come for picks, predictions, top points earner candidates, and pairings you want to see, well you’re in the wrong place. Andy and Brendan have a rambling discussion about people getting off shots at this Pres Cup, how badly the LIV losses wounded it, what happens if the Internationals win, and whether reform is needed. They also discuss Billy the Baton boy and the potential for drama both internal and abroad with the attack dog. Quail Hollow, as a venue, is panned. The later half deals with Patrick Reed heading to France to play the Euro Tour, and Greg Norman writing yet more letters to people who didn’t ask for them -- this time a pleading note to the OWGR board. Both Andy and Brendan discuss the justification for giving LIV points, and the likelihood of it happening.

This episode is for all those people who have been waiting all day for Sunday night to avoid the Packers-Bears game. Andy and Brendan record right after a stunning turn at the Fortnite Champ, where Danny Willett booted it from three feet after Max Homa chipped in to successfully defend in Napa. They discuss some players making early impressions and the streaming/network experience doing the same for all the wrong reasons, especially up against a LIV stream at the same time. On LIV, they discuss that resolution that had minimal juice with what felt like an academic outcome, the commentators getting punchy, and Chase winning low Koepka for team Smash. They also delight in Steve Harvey’s repeated visits to the broadcast, his misnaming DJ, confessing it was the first golf event he’d ever been to, and Sergio’s odd and unexpected admiration. They close with a few more thoughts on the Italian Open, Portland Classic, and senior tour event.

This Friday episode begins with Italian Open leader Matt Fitzpatrick, and where he now sits among recent one-time majors winners as most likely to bag a second. That leads to an exercise breaking down first page leaderboard favorites at majors right now, going through the current upper crust of the game and pondering the future of Brooks and DJ. Those two will tee it up at Rich Harvest Farms, an underwhelming venue that may not be precisely what the pros are used to this weekend. Precision Pro Flashback Friday gets at the origin story of the Fortinet/Safeway’s move to Silverado, which was only supposed to be a stopgap venue as the event went back to an ultra private course next to a “math castle” with marble lions that spit water every hour. It’s a different but amusing #FBF on some of the myths around “The Institute” golf course.

This delayed Wednesday episode drops on the heels of a WSJ story on Jay Monahan’s private plane usage, PGA Tour expenditures, questions about an “efficient” global home and “unusually fast” aircraft, a Tour with 750+ employees, and and tax filing language that put the whole place under the microscope in a way its not accustomed to. Andy and Brendan react to the article, both superficial and substantive. With the new season upon us, they get back to an SGS tradition: over-unders, with some serious and some not-so-serious. Shhhedule for the week focuses on the potential Ryder Cup prep taking place over in Italy, where a handful of Euro stars are playing while the Americans sit at home for the Pres Cup.

It’s Victory Monday! A jubilant Andy and Brendan begin with their 1-0 football teams, the controversy around the Bears flooded new field, and the Browns superstar kicker. Then it’s on to the European Tour’s flagship event that got Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, and Shane Lowry contending at the end. They praise Lowry’s year of consistency and win, then go over some insightful comments and his quip that he won this one “for the good guys.” Rory’s continued season is also reviewed, and there are some questions put to the floor about Viktor Hovland. Sergio’s abandonment of the event for the Texas-Alabama game is also critiqued. Pat Reed comments are reviewed as well! They close with a quick discussion on Scottie Scheffler’s POY win.

This is a meandering Friday episode that touches on tennis, the grim prospects for the Bears and Browns, and the death of the Queen. That last bit of news has altered the plans at the BMW PGA at Wentworth, where play was suspended on Thursday and Friday and the flagship event has been reduced to 54 holes. There will be jokes, probably from Sharky. They discuss the early sniping from the grounds and how everyone looks like a loser. Then it’s on to Flashback Friday, which is a longer trip on a host of memories from the grand World Match Play event that used to take place at Wentworth. They start on a specific edition that had Isao Aoki walking away “winning more money in one week than any golfer in history.” That broadens out to the origin of the event, its death, how it could be re-born today, and the themes of its start that feel relevant to today’s battles. There are also some specific stories about Gary Player with a sketchy drop and Greg Norman vowing “never to return.”

This Wednesday episode begins by sifting through the various comments and call-outs that have occurred this week at the DP World Tour’s flagship event, where there’s a commingling of LIV players and non-LIV players in the same field. Andy and Brendan discuss the “cold hard facts” offered by CEO Keith Pelley, Rahm and Billy Boy’s critiques, Talor’s tweet retorts, Rory’s intimations about the future strategic alliance, and the motives of old guard players like Westy and Poulter. They also discuss the future of the Euro Tour as a “feeder tour” or simply as an occasional PGA Tour host in Europe. News focuses on DL3 and Trevor Immelman rounding out the Presidents Cup rosters with six picks each, with some thoughts and concerns about Kevin Kisner getting the last spot on the U.S. side.

This Labor Day episode is largely a discussion of the LIV Boston event and where this disruptor league might be heading. Andy and Brendan discuss the tension between the curiosity factor from its initial events wearing off against the context for the league that builds with each event. They discuss how Westy’s abominable gag may be the surest sign yet that this is legitimate competition. They are increasingly bought in on the entertainment appeal of the 54-hole format and the shotgun start. TV deal rumors are also pondered. There is praise for another KFT finals Sunday delivering, and a hypothetical about what’s to stop LIV from taking a run at Justin Suh. They hit on the season plus playoffs format of handing out 50 cards continuing to work, but with the usual appeal for more movement once in-season. Lucy Li’s work on the LPGA is covered. They close with some spicy quotes on the upcoming Wentworth commingling, as well as some Minor League Golf Tour talk given Eric Cole’s success at KFT Finals.

It’s Friday going into a holiday weekend so Andy and Brendan are quite cheery for this week-ending episode. They begin with a few random thoughts and another round of “unsubstantiated rumor Friday” that’s centered mostly on LIV vs. PGA Tour stuff. Bubba’s amusing comments about serving others as a reason for joining LIV are examined, as are HV3’s rationalizations for joining. Then they review a couple Grumpy Old Men firing off takes about LIV with another amusing Gary Player rant. They debate the worst LIV team -- both in golfing ability and least you’d want to hang out with. Precision Pro Flashback Friday is on the sour end of Greg Norman as a Presidents Cup captain, and how a watch war may have been at the center of his sudden overthrow.

Andy and Brendan close out the month of August with this Wednesday episode on the latest round of LIV signees making their debuts in Boston. They discuss Cam Smith’s rationalizations for leaving, Joaquin Niemann making his decision, and how they represent a new element for the LIV collective. That transitions to the one big whale LIV did not get -- this round at least -- in Hideki Matsuyama. They discuss how Hideki represents something more, a different level of star and a non-monetary aspect that maybe cannot be covered with a massive upfront fee. That then transitions to how good those who stay might have it on the PGA Tour, with the cash as good as ever and now some of the competition for it gone. There’s sadness about the cleaning out of Team Torque. Schedule for the week focuses on names to watch at the KFT finals as those last 25 spots close up this weekend in Indiana.

Andy and Brendan are buzzing as they hit record shortly after watching that Sunday duel between Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler at the Tour Championship. They discuss the fallacy of the entertainment being a “win for the format.” They praise Rory for the longevity of his greatness, critique Scottie for a poor day in an otherwise excellent year, and revel in a rewarding day of golf-watching to finish off the season. After plenty of Rory and Scottie talk, they get to the news of another batch of LIV defections that would significantly harm the Presidents Cup. Some were expected, others were a mild surprise, including Joaquin Niemann, who was just in that Delaware meeting plotting the future of the Tour. During the LIV chat, they also note some fairly alarming quotes from Cam Young. They close with the continued but amusing incoherence of James Hahn.

August is winding down but the summer of upheaval and change in pro golf continues with the PGA Tour announcing its next move in the battle against LIV. It’s a series of moves, really, dramatically re-shaping what the Tour is, who controls it, and acknowledging some truths that many have been shouting about for years. Andy and Brendan discuss the new “elevated” tour, how it will all fit into the schedule, who should get the credit (thank u Mr. Mickelson!), and if Jay Monahan and his team are the right people to implement it all going forward. They also discuss the notion that the Tour copied LIV. Rory and Tiger’s new TGL project is also pondered at length, as Monday Night golf returns in a new way.

It’s a lively Wednesday episode with tenuous WiFi on both ends for Andy and Brendan. They begin with breaking news that Kapalua will now permanently be the Tournament of Mostly Champions. This leads to further discussion on the Tour Champ, the discarding of history, a low net and gross disaster, and how it could be re-made by going west. That transitions to more thoughts on the NLU report about the Rory/Tiger concept and where exactly the room comes on the schedule and how best to execute it. The Will Zalatoris injury is a big blow and also reveals the weakness of the staggered start net championship. Schedule for the week has a Canadian bent to it. News of a joint Rory-Tiger venture that has eradicated vowels is discussed even though there are minimal details yet. The PGA of America’s Frisco home got its big reveal, so they dive into from Global Home comps before getting out.

This episode begins with some Monday positivity, both with impressions of the BMW Championship and reporting about the meeting that went down there. Andy and Brendan react to the NLU report with the list of names and what exactly was proposed -- a “top tier” circuit within a larger PGA Tour. They discuss how this makes Monahan and other Tour bureaucrats look and react and where it might go from here. There’s some further approval of the BMW and the stakes of it, including kind words for Patrick Cantlay after another win. They discuss a Golfweek report on another Tiger-Rory endeavor about one-day non-green grass events. The U.S. Amateur is reviewed, with praise for the spice some of the final four provided both with quotes and style. They close it by reviewing the rest of the weekend’s results and a few comments on the death of Tom Weiskopf.

The cup of the content gods runneth over as golf’s summer of absurdity and existential crisis continued this week with an outlandish Pat Reed defamation lawsuit against Brandel Chamblee, incoherent tweets from a PGA Tour player advisory council member, last week’s PGA Tour winner having to disown a ranting “mentor,” a Tiger Woods attended players meeting to combat LIV, contents of LIV contracts coming out in the WSJ, and more. It’s been a week, and Andy and Brendan meander about in all that, while also discussing the great golf watching at the U.S. Amateur, where (good!) coverage comes on and goes off in what feels like indiscriminate fashion. There’s also some amusement in Paul Azinger comments on this week’s BMW venue, compared to Patrick Cantlay’s thoughts. The episode closes with a Precision Pro Flashback Friday on the 1990 U.S. Amateur, won by a brash Phil Mickelson over former HS teammate turned foe Manny Zerman, whose own legend is explored a bit during the segment.

This Wednesday episode is out early as Andy and Brendan react to news of a players-only meeting that will include a visit from Tiger Woods as the remaining PGA Tour loyalists try to rally the troops and also discuss, reportedly, the job security of commissioner Jay Monahan and major championship boycotts. They ponder the meeting in light of the news that Cam Smith, rumored LIV boy, has withdrawn from the BMW. The U.S. Amateur is given the event of the week, with some top names and amusing names highlighted, Ridgewood previewed, and the meandering TV schedule panned. Does NBCUni just have too many golf rights and is this week proof of that? They get off some BMW Champ one-and-dones, a few notes about Wilmington, and then to an angry reaction to the news that the once historic Western Open will go to Baltimore and St. Louis in two upcoming years, with Chicago slated to host just once in a six-year span.

This Monday episode begins with a discussion on the dynamics of youth birthday parties before jumping into the thrilling conclusion to the first leg of the Courier Cup Playoffs. Andy and Brendan discuss the strutting and putting of Will Zalatoris, who clinched his first victory on the PGA Tour in a circus-like playoff against the Sepptic Tank. It was a potentially ugly day for the PGA Tour that finished with a bang. They react to the bizarre Cam Smith penalty and the LIV conspiracy theories that followed. Saki Baba’s dominant U.S. Women’s Am victory is discussed, as is host site Chambers Bay and the unfortunate reality that we may never see a U.S. Open there again thanks to the ridiculous pre-advance booking at a few anchor sites. The final regular season event on the Korn Ferry Tour is also discussed at the end, with praise for Michael Kim, a pronunciation debate for Kevin Roy, and a schedule lament that buries one of the Tour’s best days behind the playoffs.

Typically, mid-August is for getting away and golf slowing down despite what the FedEx Cup marketing might try to make you believe. Andy and Brendan had that in mind with various vacation and work travels planned, but they did not expect such significant and entertaining golf news to develop this week. So Brendan sits in the car outside a beach house, while Andy scoots through rural Nebraska in his own vehicle, and the result is this episode discussing the LIV plaintiffs lawyer making a fool of himself at the TRO hearing in California, the completely unsympathetic Gooch-Swafford-Jones trio, and the Tour having to acknowledge some hard truths in order to craft winning arguments. They also discuss world No. 2 Cam Smith reportledy jumping ship next month to LIV, and many other things in an episode that did not feel like it would get off the ground.

It’s a live recording with Andy and Brendan in front of some fine Philly folks ahead of the Fried Egg event in town on Monday. It’s the first applause they can recall during a recording with an audience so after a few comments about the locals, they dive into the weekend that was in golf. They start with the Women’s Open at Muirfield, which went deep into the night during an interminable playoff with Ash Buhai eventually prevailing. They discuss her roller coaster weekend, her eager significant other jumping into the frame, and how Muirfield played for the women. Then it’s on to Playoffs talk, with ample time set aside for more Max McGreevy facts and appreciation. Tom Kim is given his due with some stories of his first moments in the States. They also delight in the Comcast Top 10 being neglected during its most pivotal moment. They close with the odd Zalatoris caddy break-up and some thoughts on the LIV TRO hearing coming on Tuesday.

This Friday episode begins with the 100-plus page complaint filed by 11 LIV players against the PGA Tour, as well as the temporary restraining order that will go to court next week. Andy and Brendan react to the complaint, its allegations and arguments, and the PGA Tour’s potential missteps and response going forward. They highlight a couple aspects they find compelling, dubious, and amusing in the whole mess that will be instrumental in how the future of golf looks, with an antitrust expert coming later in the week on the podcast to get into more of the details. The second half of the pod discusses early action from Muirfield at the Women’s Open, Webb Simpson becoming a vice captain, and a Flashback Friday to that time a scorecard “countback” decided the Women’s Open.

This Wednesday episode begins with some thoughts on the last major of the year, the AIG Women’s Open at Muirfield. Andy and Brendan discuss their recent trip to the course, some favorite holes, some amusing stories, and how the women’s game might bring it into the modern world. On the PGA Tour, they discuss the myth of the FEC bubble and how many players hovering around it are truly unworthy of a “postseason” berth after this week’s Wyndham. This leads to more Max McGreevy facts than you could ever anticipate. James Hahn’s weird and misguided tweets are dissected, as is the new PGA Tour schedule, which seems to do nothing more than throw some money at the problems while changing very little else. News hits on Tiger Woods’s astronomical offer to join LIV, Patrick Reed going to Asia to play golf, and a Henrik Stenson conspiracy theory.

It’s a glorious first of the month recording, which has Andy and Brendan full of energy despite the relatively sleepy golf from multiple fronts at the Rocket Mortgage and LIV Bedminster. They discuss the confusion and lack of enthusiasm around the actual team golf at LIV, the political rally that seemed to make the golf incidental, the absurdly overhyping announcers, and the Tour’s own continued problems on display weighing it down in Detroit. They also debate who’s sadder: Phil or Brooks? The Women’s Scottish and the Hero Open are reviewed from across the pond. They close with further amusement about the 3-1-3 Challenge and Henrik still feeling persecuted about losing his captaincy.

It’s a summer hours Friday episode, which begins with some LIV rumors of varying degrees of amusement, from gambling shortcomings to developments in Thursday’s pro-am at Trump Bedminster to some agronomy specs for events. News of Luke Donald replacing Henrik Stenson as European Ryder Cup captain is discussed, which leads to a Precision Pro Flashback Friday on the time Paul Casey drew him into an international incident slamming Americans for being insular. There’s continued incredulity about Davis Love III’s role in Detroit.

This Wednesday episode begins with LIV’s return to the schedule for the week. Andy and Brendan laugh at Laurie Canter getting passed around, the decrepit Niblicks squad, and the moderate interest in the actual golf. They lament the lack of access to any of these players, who will be off for more than a month between LIV events. There is more Stenson scorn, some warning about contracts as they relate to the “relegation” concept or lack thereof, and the PGA Tour’s potential parroting of that contract model. The added events for next year that might commit players to an international series in far flung corners of the globe is discussed. Davis Love III making it into a featured group for the Rocket Mortgage Classic is shouted about, in between praise for the event’s mission and character. The Euro Tour returns to fake St. Andrews, and the helicopter parents head to Bandon for the Junior Am. They close with yet another shadow FedExCup eligibility list that deals with the suspended LIV players.

Andy and Brendan have returned to the U.S., where they’re longing for some aspects of their Scotland trip while happy to have other comforts of home back in their lives. They offer a few more takeaways of appreciation from that trip, as well as a harsh judgment on fish and chips. Then they get to the golf from the packed weekend, praising Brooke Henderson for her second major while offering a mild critique about her pace of play and how she’s underrated relative to some of her less accomplished peers. Tony Finau’s triumph is reviewed, with some late shakiness after a strong back nine to take his second win in less than a year. Husky Darren Clarke and Richie Ramsay are also credited for their wins. News returns to the LIV developments from late last week, where Henrik Stenson’s backstabbing disgraceful betrayal is put on blast, and there’s befuddlement over what Charles Howell III does for LIV.

Summer School in Scotland rolls on and Andy and Brendan have a few more thoughts on The Open, specifically Rory’s performance, after a magical afternoon getting to play The Old Course themselves. Then they get back to the pro golf at hand, namely the 3M Open at TPC Sod Farm, described in one write-up as utilizing “natural, rolling terrain on the site of a former sod farm.” They discuss the Tour’s messaging, which is apparently foremost of what they care about, and how the 3M Open actually exhibits weakness to the point it would be best if they just took a few weeks off following The Open. The women’s and senior majors are previewed, with critiques for two poor venues. The LIV latest is discussed, with David Feherty making the jump and Ernie Els with some sage advice on how this should all shake out, including specific comments on new Champion Golfer of the Year Cam Smith.

A magical week for Andy and Brendan at The Open comes to a close with this recap episode after the final round at The Old Course. After walking with Cam, Rory, and the rest, they relay what they saw and why it shook out the way it did. Cam’s legendary final round is dissected, with a few key spots and shots picked out that seemed to turn the tide in the final hours. The Rory heartbreak is reviewed, with debate on whether he played it too safe or just got beat by the hot talent. There’s one more occasion to reflect on and praise The Old Course, which had both feeling grateful to be present for this particular major. They discuss how it played and why it separated again on Sunday. Cam Young gets his due, as does a certain housecat. Then they wrangle with LIV returning to our lives promptly, with the new Champion Golfer of the Year not exactly shooting down questions about rampant LIV rumors surrounding him, Jon Rahm suggesting the tours negotiate with some strong words for the Euro Tour, and Henrik Stenson apparently jumping ship and losing his Ryder Cup captaincy.

It’s Saturday night in St. Andrews and Andy and Brendan recap just about a perfect day both in town and out on the golf course. They discuss the crowd imploring Rory along, Cam Smith’s disappointment, the course setup that had Matt Fitzpatrick saying things were “tricked up,” and Viktor Hovland’s challenge. They also hit on an Andy tussling with Ian Poulter on the press conference transcript, and the confusion that followed. Talor vs. Tyrell is reviewed, Graeme McDowell’s idiotic tweet about shotgun starts at St. Andrews is covered, and there’s a theory about seagulls impacting play. They close with some contender vs. pretender and how it’s all right there for Rory.

This Friday episode is a lively recap from the day at St. Andrews, where Andy and Brendan dove into a few conspiracies, conjured some new enemies, and celebrated both the Cameron Zone and Tiger’s potential farewell to The Old Course. Cameron Smith and the Aussie advantage on this hard ground is covered, as is Rory’s adjustment in a changing wind. They close with some thoughts on the course, the pins, and the LIV presence persisting on the leaderboard, as well as a few worst-case scenarios.

Andy and Brendan are live from the dorm room overlooking the 18th fairway at St. Andrews, where they spent the day taking in all manner of amusements, spectacular play, poor play, and a firm and fiery Old Course that is challenging the pros in a unique way. They discuss some quotes from Talor, Westy, and Rory that sort of frame the day full of almost 16 hours of golf. The course conditions and shots witnessed up close are relayed in an on-the-ground report. The question to leader Cameron Young about being from the streets of the Bronx is given ample coverage, and laughter. Phil’s bizarre morning and Tiger’s late tumble are also covered, as is the Scheffler disrespect.

Andy and Brendan record this Open preview from their dorm room overlooking the Swilken bridge, passing along notes and amusements after a couple days from the ground. They begin first with an Andy order mishap that put him on the shelf for the first day. Then it’s on to a wide-ranging course chat, mostly about the firmness, the options, how it might play and what skills might come in handy most, and some holes to keep an eye on. The course is the star as much as anyone and they relay a handful of notes both from player comments and their own walking. Then they rip through the quotable segment, pulling out details for Spieth, JT, Rory, Tiger, and Zalatoris, who all came through the media center on Tuesday. The pre-major tradition of highlighting a few favorite tee times commences, with a focus on the LIV boys being absolutely buried out of marquee group view. They close with Tiger’s comments on LIV, a lengthy and multi-faceted denunciation. News hits on the DOJ investigation into the PGA Tour as it pertains to LIV, before a sign off with a few more thoughts on The Open with one more day to go.

This Monday episode comes to you just after midnight in Scotland, where Andy and Brendan completed a walk through The Old Course for the first time. They offer some first impressions and thoughts about what they saw, both on the course and with one solo player. Then they move on to some results, asking it Xander’s Scottish Open win is the best of his career, which now has as many Ws as Jon Rahm. The recap on the Senior Players somehow devolves into an extended Frank Lickliter II segment. News hits on some early shuffling at The Open, like Greg Norman being asked not to show up by the R&A, Phil withdrawing from the Champions event, and Tiger’s first practice rounds and prospects, which includes a conspiracy theory.

This episode begins with Andy and Brendan discussing excitement and anticipation over their imminent departure for Scotland and what they’re most excited about once they get there. Then they get to Rory McIlroy’s eye-opening comments to the BBC earlier this week, in which he said the LIV vs. the PGA Tour battle has been messier than it ever should have gotten and suggested a way the two sides chat. Is this a momentous tone shift in the battle between the two? That leads to further discussion about PGA Tour strategy to mitigate or neutralize an opponent that perhaps they’ve underestimated from the start. Mercifully, there is golf talk on the Scottish Open, Big Shot Bob Allenby falling to DFL at the Senior Players, and DL3’s case of the “Pelley yips.”

This Tuesday episode is a compilation from the holiday weekend happenings and a look forward at the schedule ahead as coffee golf peaks for the year. Andy and Brendan offer some thoughts on the conclusion to the second LIV event in Portland and how it felt like another sign that this is a ship that won’t be slowed. Talor Gooch’s comments and the Shark reveling are critiqued as well. Then they discuss the ongoing volley of public comments among players, especially as the Scottish Open takes center stage and LIV players enlist lawyers to gain last-minute entry. There’s also a thought that peer shame could be a more effective deterrent than any bans. Jon Rahm’s comments to “de-americanize” a Ryder Cup venue in Ireland are covered, along with J.T. Poston’s victory and a grow-the-game moment for Poland. This week’s schedule is previewed with excitement for the Scottish, the issues with it now being co-sanctioned, and the Barbasol’s field list.

This Friday episode reacts to another actual golf round on the LIV tour, but first there’s a sports minute on KD and more college conference shenanigans, leading to a Greg Norman-Robert Sarver comp. Then it’s on to LIV Portland, where the broadcast was completely over the top in its overhype and propaganda. Andy and Brendan discuss what was stronger -- namely, some real players -- and what continues to be lacking. There’s news of this transition from a “series” to a “league” for next year. A quote carousel focuses on more Gooch stupidity, some heat from Freddie Couples on LIV and Phil, and the 3M Open guy deciding to also launch some grenades. Flashback Friday is a short history on the recurring fight for the Quad Cities Classic, now the John Deere, to stay alive, with anecdotes from three different decades and the background on how TPC Deere Run came into existence.

This Wednesday episode is overflowing with the bounty that the content gods continue to provide. Andy and Brendan did not intend to start with LIV, but a remark here and there near the top, and 30 minutes of harsh words, laughs at specious explanations, and many, many expletives (EARMUFFS kids!) later, well, they went on a lot about Brooks, Reed, Perez, Bryson, and Wolff’s Portland performances. There are also some thoughts about the many shortcomings and make-it-up-as-we-go state of the current LIV product. The second half of the pod is largely dedicated to more significant PGA Tour changes, including the announcement of strengthened “strategic alliance” with the Euro Tour and more various pathways to the PGA Tour. Do they need to get leaner, not more alliance-y? The John Deere featured groups are discussed as well, with one put up as the “WOAT” in the history of pga tour featured groups coverage.

Golf delivered again on Sunday with compelling dramas, handshake controversies, and coverage angst. Andy and Brendan begin with the Women’s PGA Championship, where Lexi Thompson had another torturous Sunday collapse in a major. They compare it to last year’s slow bleed at Olympic, and wonder how she can keep coming back. There are also some kind words on Congressional and harsher words for the pace of play and a skimpy broadcast window. Xander’s weekend at the Travelers is assessed, both good and bad, and the thrill of Theegala, both good and bad, is also praised. They ponder the Tour’s next move in light of Pierceson Coody’s impressive showing after turning down LIV money while Oklahoma State stud Eugenio Chacarra turned pro to take the LIV cash. Nick Faldo’s segment on Brooks running off to LIV is also discussed. Finally, there’s delight and appreciation expressed for Haotong and Paddy’s victories.

This Friday episode is here to carry you into the weekend with some thoughts on the Women’s PGA Championship beating up the best in the world early in the week, and the meritless complaints about it being too hard and long. There’s some brief chatter about the Prince’s push in Hartford and Living and Working in Maine. Then there’s a review of Jay Monahan’s press conference in Hartford, with particular ire for his comments about dealing with an “irrational actor” or opponent. Flashback Friday is on the old McDonald’s LPGA Championship and centers around Suzann Pettersen and Se Ri Pak victories, as well as some Michelle Wie controversies that had one legend saying she showed “a lack of respect and class.”

This delayed Wednesday episode begins with some big changes proposed to the PGA Tour’s structure, namely trimming some of the fat with their status scheme. There are, once again, tweaks proposed for the playoffs and a three-event cash grab tour in the fall. Andy and Brendan discuss all these proposals, how they might work, and if they will matter in the fight against LIV. Stick around for the ad read on this one as well, as they might get in trouble. One name defecting to LIV is Brooks Koepka, and his decision is panned in light of his recent statements. There’s also significant room allotted to Nick Faldo stepping away and Trevor Immelman stepping in at CBS. Shhhhedule for the week focuses on a logjam of major golf, starting with the Women’s PGA at Congressional, which should show beautifully. The Travelers, Senior Open, and BMW Euro event are also discussed with varying degrees of amusements at the fields.

Andy and Brendan settle back in at the PrePro house to revel and review in all they witnessed at The Country Club, both on Sunday and throughout the weekend. They begin with appreciation for what a major can deliver, golf and competition that matter on stages that feel consequential. Then it's on to Matt Fitzpatrick’s play and his breakthrough major -- the chase for speed and the shots he pulled off on Sunday. Another Will Zalatoris run at contention is contextualized after a weekend of playing maybe the best golf of anyone in the field. Scottie Scheffler’s “sound” is critiqued, as well as the Rahm and Rory rounds. Then they get to TCC as a venue, course, and host city, which leads to some spicy laments about the anchor sites taking up so much future real estate.

Andy and Brendan are absolutely buzzing after an amazing day at the U.S. Open in Boston. They start with some tales from the ground, which included following Will Zalatoris, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler, and others who populate this fantastic leaderboard. ESPN’s Kevin Van Valkenburg pops in with an amusing anecdote or two from his time following Rory and others. They lament the potential TIO stain that could be left on this championship, as well as chant heard on Saturday the likes of which we will never hear again. Also, were tee times too late? Did darkness impact the finish? Aside from these few conspiracy theories, there’s general excitement and praise from a great day at the national championship.

Andy and Brendan assess this 2022 U.S. Open at its midpoint, bringing three things from Friday that they feel are prime for discussion. They begin with #SyringeGate and the USGA watering the greens in the middle of the round when a storm was forecasted to roll through and the wind settled later in the afternoon. There are pleas for a tougher set up, but praise for the skills The Country Club is testing right now. DJ’s LIV comments are also discussed. They review Jon Rahm’s charge, Rory hanging on, Joely steering it in, Phil’s irrelevance, and a startling Law & Order SVU scene they were subjected to in the media center.

Andy and Brendan are back from The Country Club and posted up at The Precision Pro House. They have a few thoughts on what they watched up close in the first round of the U.S. Open. There’s exasperation with the rampant LIV rumors, praise for Rory’s day and his tempestuous outbursts, and schadenfreude at Phil’s expected no-show. There are a couple “most disappointing” nominees, including frustration with the USGA setup of Brookline, which was characterized as “doughy.”

This is a recording from SGS’s live gathering at the USGA’s 19th Hole at High Street Place Food Hall in Downtown Boston. It features a recap from Wednesday on the ground at the U.S. Open, including some thoughts on the USGA’s press conference with Mike Whan and John Bodenhamer, and a few names not to consider after witnessing some alarming shots. Andy and Brendan also have a spectator’s guide segment on some places to watch from the ground and on TV. There’s a debate over whether there’s a “US Open player.” And they close with a fun Q&A session with some amusing inquiries from both Twitter and the live audience.