The Shotgun Start

Andy and Brendan are together in Kiawah for their first in-person recording in almost two years. They immediately jump into some impressions from a day spent walking The Ocean Course, people-watching at the PGA, and pondering the big stories (snake impacts) of the second men’s major championship of 2021. There will be wind, and they discuss the impacts it will have even as you’re about to be hit over the head with wind talk the next five days. There’s a reading of testimony from several players on all the long irons they’re hitting during practice, a welcome development and change from the usual pro game. The other nooks and crannies from a course they’re hyped to watch are also highlighted. They relay what they’re hearing of the moving and shaking happening on the island as well, with delegates from the Super League in town and meeting with managers of several players. Favorite, and in some cases most underwhelming, tee times are nominated and discussed. Bryson’s chat on UFOs and time travel is reviewed. There’s also more intel on Dylan Fritelli’s penny-pinching ways after they’re told he’s playing with an alleged SGS listener in the first two rounds. And some one-and-done picks are made for what feels like a very open major.

Before Andy and Brendan get together in Kiawah on Monday, they chat for this truncated episode that begins with an apology tour. Then they celebrate the Husky Boy and his triumph in North Texas. There’s also reaction to another strong week from Sam Burns and Jordan Spieth. There’s a mini debate about whether the Nelson could now take the crown for the worst event on Tour, with a few other contenders thrown out there. The Shaggy Kang-Jon Rahm tiff is also covered. Then they’re on to the Dicks, namely Dick Bland, who’s victory at the British Masters will be one of the stories of the year in golf, and Dicky Pride, who went from Monday qualifier to winner on the Champions Tour. There’s also a question of if Mitsubishi got what they expected from the top 10 at TPC Sugarloaf when they signed up to be this senior tour sugar daddy. News hits on Phil accepting a special exemption to the U.S. Open and Jay Monahan teaming up with Bubba Watson at a Florida member-guest event.

It’s a Friday episode heavy on disgust. There’s disgust over the NFL scheduling the Browns-Bears game for the one fall Sunday that Brendan and Andy really can’t ignore in the golf world. There’s disgust about the pitch-and-putt setup at TPC Craig T. Nelson. There’s disgust over the Thicc Boi suggesting he easily left six shots out there. There’s disgust over Jason Day saying he will not attempt to qualify for the U.S. Open if he has to, opting to play in a corporate sponsor event that day instead. There’s PLENTY of disgust for the NCAA decision to cancel the women’s regional outright, as well as some comments hinting that maybe LSU didn’t really want to try to play. Following that airing of grievances, Precision Pro Flashback Friday focuses on the 1994 edition of the Byron Nelson, what came to be known as “The Half Nelson”, and the winner that year who went on to become the first player ever to shoot 29 in the U.S. Open -- twice, in back-to-back years.

This Wednesday episode goes in a bunch of stupid directions, starting with some details that may or may not be true on real estate around TPC Craig Ranch. This then devolves into a discussion on people named Craig, the most famous Craigs, the haughtiness of Craig T. Nelson using his middle initial, and a couple other unrelated topics. The shhhedule for the week continues with the Champions Tour posting up at another TPC venue and questions about Mitsubishi’s love of the senior circuit, the European Tour maybe having a “frontboard” at the Belfry, and the KFT dropping in on a gem of a venue in Tennessee. News hits on DJ’s amusing and verbose statement on his withdrawal, some data about the absolute absurdity and game-able-ness of the FedExCup points system, and the purchase of TaylorMade. Then they get to their second installment of “Eye on Olympic,” focusing this time on Mel Reid. Her ascendance as a junior, partying ways, family tragedy, and easy-to-root-for personality are all highlighted in this segment that gives you another name to monitor for the U.S. Women’s Open.

It was a jam-packed weekend of golf and this Monday episode jumps right into it by flipping a coin and starting with a review of the Walker Cup. Andy and Brendan nominate their favorite “breakout” players from the weekend, what they loved most about Seminole, and wonder why there’s not a push to make this more of a top 10 event in the entire game. Is such a push or goal to make this bigger even desired or possible? Then they’re on to the professional game and a course and format that stood out in stark contrast to the Walker Cup. But of course there was the Prince of Ponte Vedra redeeming it all and getting back in the winner’s circle. They discuss his “drought” and if it even was a drought, his abandoning of his draw thanks to modern equipment, and the energy a Rory charge brings to an event. There’s also the matter of the Thicc Boi’s flight hijinks. On the LPGA, they discuss the scenes of Ariya bawling after winning her home event and also ending a drought of her own. The Regions Tradition recap turns into a segment on Aaron Rodgers and the Packers fans uneasiness. They close with the anti-thirstbucket of the week, a frugal Longhorn who has made millions playing golf but was so upset about a $1.95 charge on his food bill that he had to instagram about it.

This Friday episode begins with some quick reactions to Phil Mickelson taking the early lead in Charlotte, which is an occasion to quickly pivot to his quotes that joining a PGL or SLG league for tens of millions of dollars will actually require selflessness. This leads to a pivot to discuss the report from Alan Shipnuck that these are, in fact, not the same thing and actually competitors, and boy does the Saudi backed one sound terrible! There’s also a discussion on a report in The Athletic with a deposition of Jay Monahan, who did not name a single LPGA player when queried. There is also reveling in Viktor Hovland calling Quail Hollow a form of “driving range golf.” Then Brendan and Andy are joined by Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine, an amateur golf encyclopedia who is at the Walker Cup this week. They discuss some players to watch, whether all of continental Europe should be made eligible, a food poisoning outbreak, and features of Seminole. Then Flashback Friday focuses on some amusing Walker Cup controversies and characters as well as some stories from Ben Hogan’s time at Seminole.

This Wednesday episode begins with Courtesy and Brendan discussing their distaste for the whole May the 4th proliferation, as well as the one liquor that never seems to dwindle on their bars. Then they spend the first 30 minutes or so discussing the re-emergence and re-branding of the PGL. They go back-and-forth between synthesis of a day of reporting from multiple outlets and analysis of the impacts of some of these proposed maneuvers. There’s chatter on DJ, Jay’s meeting, the Saudi influence, sponsor backlash, and parallels, if any, to the soccer Super League. Then they run through the usual schedule for the week, hitting on three things to watch at Wells Fargo, including a potential “heavy is the head that wears the crown” impact for the Prince of Ponte Vedra. A closing news segment focuses on Ian Poulter revealing that the new Pace of Play Policy is real and being communicated as well as Michael Visacki talking to Chuck for an exemption into Colonial.

This Monday episode gets back to some SGS roots, with a quick and unprepared whip around the results from the weekend in the golf world. It really, actually is a short one. They begin with the Valspar, where Sam Burns broke through for what could be the first of many wins on the PGA Tour. The dump in the cup award is back, as is the second edition of Thirstbucket of the Week. Other topics hit on are Keegan scraping it and Tringale closing in on a career achievement. Dean Burmester is mentioned and the Tenerife event is given a poor grade. The back half is a ramble on the giant flag in the center of a fairway at the new Jack Nicklaus course, as well as the general costs of giant flags. News hits on Pine Valley changing its policy to admit women members, and a potential angle for such a move. Lastly, all SGS merch will be 20 percent off through Monday night.

All golf talk is set aside at the start of this Friday episode, which was recorded minutes after the Bears traded up and drafted QB Justin Fields (and hours after reporting on Aaron Rodgers wanting out of Green Bay). A giddy Andy walks through his emotions of the day and proclaims the Bears “back.” Eventually, there is golf talk -- the Valspar chatter transitions to discussion on the PIP thirst this week, which leads to an article on who has been getting the most PGA Tour Live run this year, which leads to a study sent in by a listener on how the stars on the PGA Tour compare to the NBA stars earnings-wise. News focuses on Rickie’s exemption into the PGA, which is panned. A new segment focuses on one national hero that will be playing the U.S. Women’s Open at Olympic. Flashback Friday is a glorious look back at the career of a two-time winner in Tampa, K.J. Choi.

This Wednesday episode begins with Brendan having to answer to some angry Aussies and attempt to clarify his Leishman comp from Monday. It’s also a rambling episode with Andy on the road with a broken phone, an alarm clock that won’t go off, and a birthday date with Torrey Pines and Brendan trying to find a couple spare minutes in between childcare disruptions. There’s intel from the U.S. Women’s Open media day at Olympic, where Andy has some issues with the burger dog fixins and Brendan has some questions about the mowing lines. Eventually, they run through the shhhedule for the week, hitting on three things to watch at the Valspar, some amusing intel from another island pitch-and-putt on the Euro Tour, and some diminutive notables on the Champions Tour. They also discuss the viral video of Monday qualifier Michael Visacki and the authenticity of a story that PIP can’t account for.

This Monday episode begins with Andy disclosing an explosive handicap scandal from his Fried Egg event over the weekend. Then they get to the golf from the weekend, beginning with the first to finish -- the LA Open on the LPGA. Brooke Henderson’s 10th career win is praised but the pace of play is lamented. There’s also a call for more primetime golf to fill the void of our boring lives on weekend nights. At the Zurich Classic, they ponder whether it’s fair that pro golfers should have to hit shots for millions of dollars with alligators lurking so close to them. They also debate the futures of Cam Smith and Marc Leishman, and whether the latter is an Aussie Kuchar. The rowdy crowd with the cliche shouts is also given the Alonzo Mourning gif treatment. On the KFT, there’s intel about Tony Romo’s dilemma of staying in that event or bailing for a club calcutta. Tyson Alexander, son of Buddy, is regaled with a reading of several facts about this week’s KFT winner. Garrick Higgo is anointed as a new SGS favorite. News closes with a Tiger sighting and a new segment -- This Week in PIP, in which a “thirstbucket of the week” is crowned.

This Friday episode begins with some reaction to both “town crier” and “baton boy” references making it onto featured group coverage on Billy Tour Live. There’s also some reaction to the Crier’s contention that TPC Louisiana was not built to be played in wind. There’s amusement over the explanation of the Bubba-Scheffler team and confusion over some brands of golf clothing. Then the news of the week, the revelation of a Player Impact Program on the PGA Tour, is dissected. Andy and Brendan break down the actual nuts and bolts of the program, as reported by Eamon Lynch. They giggle over some of the metrics being employed, which don’t seem long for the formula. They offer their critiques and praise for different elements of it or at least what it’s efforting to do, and then laugh at some of the early reactions. Early action from the LA Open is also praised, while Tony Romo’s first round in Dallas is not. Flashback Friday is on the 1999 and 2000 winner of the Compaq Classic, then the name of the stop on Tour in New Orleans. They explore the mud shack upbringing of Carlos Franco, his hero status in Paraguay, his worldwide success, and then his breakthrough PGA Tour win in 1999 in NOLA.

After year off, the PGA Tour returns to New Orleans and while there may no longer be walk-up music at this event, the listeners demand that this annual game goes on. So Andy makes a playlist of songs hinting at the inane, insider, and downright specious. Play along as Brendan attempts to guess what Andy is getting at with some of these song choices for a few SGS favorites on Tour. This comes after they run through the schedule for the week, with the LA Open on the LPGA winning event of the week honors. Andy dishes on some of the great features to watch for at Wilshire. There’s some intel from the first ever Euro Tour event in Gran Canaria about roads running through the course that will kick balls hundreds of yards away from where they land. There’s also ample chatter about some of the puzzling partnerships this week at Zurich.

This Monday episode begins with a discussion of some Chicago saloons, such as Lottie’s, the title sponsor of this week’s LPGA event, which Lydia Ko won on Saturday night. Brendan and Andy get into some of the astounding stats of Ko’s recent run, the brilliant pace of play, and what it could mean for a second peak. Then there’s an unplanned diversion into the Will County Amateur, where Tony Romo contended before a second-day fade. For the Heritage, they discuss Stewart Cink’s longevity, his kid caddie, and his past coach changes. Collin Morikawa’s frightening putter is also a topic as is the Si Woo Kim putt that hung on the lip for 40 seconds, leading to a mini-flashback to a similar issue that might have cost Denis Watson the U.S. Open after some tough justice from a rules official with an eye patch. The interminable Euro Tour playoff is covered as are the Peter Uihlein and Steve Stricker victories. News hits on the Town Crier ringing his bell and announcing his opinion on arm lock putting.

It’s Friday and there is no script. Andy and Brendan begin with some thoughts on the first ever non-profit casino being built at TPC Scottsdale. Then there are some Mother’s Day gift ideas, like “tournament-used hazard water” on offer from TPC Sawgrass. The event of the week, the Western Intercollegiate, is reviewed, leading to some “bones to pick” with college coaches slowing down pace of play and the kerfuffle over the conclusion preempting first round LPGA coverage. There’s also a quiz on the Pepperdine basketball program. The ridiculous efforts and costs, borne by the local tournament and its charity efforts, to heighten the range net at Harbour Town are excoriated. Brittany That’s Amore’s charge, as well as Lydia Ko also potentially ending her drought, are discussed on the LPGA. The frigid conditions and schnitzel consumption of the Austrian Open are noted. Precision Pro Flashback Friday closes with a look back at an absolutely brutal day the last time a major was played at Kiawah, as well as some lofty prognostications for the Prince of Ponte Vedra.

The Masters has come and gone but Shotgun Start plays on with this Wednesday episode. They begin with some clean up from the first men’s major of the year, hitting on Hideki’s overly onerous modes of transportation after winning the Masters, the Town Crier’s attempt at an apology, and other post Masters “viral” moments. Then they’re on to the Harbour Town for the Heritage, highlighting the traits of the course and how different it will play compared to last year. The range net extension put up for the Thicc Boi, who then WD’d, is also covered. There is also a rumor about a welcome return to the Tour traveling circus. Shhhhedule for the week then focuses on the LPGA returning with a primetime event from Wednesday to Saturday. Event of the week is given to the college kids playing a MacKenzie on the other side of the country. News hits on some on-site fan constraints for the upcoming U.S. Opens in California.

Andy and Brendan put a bow on a fantastic weekend at the Masters, beginning with Hideki Matsuyama playing his way into a green jacket. They dispute the notion that this was somehow a boring Sunday or middling Masters. The entire first portion of the podcast covers Hideki, from what it means to his home country, the excitement from Saturday night that will be a lasting memory from this 2021 edition, the impact of his amateur experience here, and the impressive blow-by-blow of his work on Sunday that kept the chasers at arms length. Then they get to those chasers, hitting on Xander’s flop at the finish, the Spieth temptation, and both the non-PGA Tour member present and promising future of Zalatoris. They review some of their contender and pretender calls from Saturday night and then get into the alarming sequel of the Town Crier’s circus act. They close with three things they’ll most remember from the week and a note of gratitude to all of you for supporting the podcast this week.

A lively virtual Bixby House results in this punch-drunk Masters table-setter for Sunday. Andy and Brendan react to that outrageous inward 30 from Hideki Matsuyama, but not without first pondering a preposterous rules hypothetical related to JT. Then they run through the leaderboard with a manichean contender/pretender judgment for each player. Two of the four players at 7-under are dubbed pretenders, while the head and the heart battle for a Spieth assessment six shots back. Jose Maria’s valiant fight is praised. Billy Ho’s absolutely ridiculous circus act is re-told, with a full notebook of details on the hole-by-hole indignities (pardon our language but it’s not ours, it’s his). They close with their picks to win and some rambling about a section of the English language that befuddles Andy.

It’s Friday night at the Masters! Andy and Brendan react to the 85th edition of the tournament at its midpoint, beginning with Justin Rose hanging on to his lead against a loaded gaggle of chargers. Ian Woosnam’s battle to make the cut becomes a prominent topic perhaps far too early in the show, but his bench-sitting practices needed to be discussed. They delight in Si Woo Kim’s putter outburst that had him near the lead in the Masters and putting with his 3-wood. Also covered are the moves by Spieth, JT, Zalatoris, and Bryson’s fight despite his grievance that he can’t use his “calibration devices” at Augusta National. They discuss two listener-proposed theories -- is Zalatoris unburdened by having no points to protect and is there a PAC curse? An MC Hammer segment focuses on DJ and Rory, who might be lost. Flashback Friday goes back only a matter of hours, as the great Jim Herman, who made the cut at the Masters, calls in to talk to two idiots about the course conditions and playing with a game Woosie for the first 36 holes.

Andy and Brendan are back for what is now an SGS Masters tradition -- daily podcasts reviewing all the inanities, amusements, and play both good and bad. This Thursday review begins with the incredible golf of Justin Rose, and quickly turns to the challenging course conditions of the first round. The firmness made hitting fairways an actual priority or reward and some of the elite ball strikers from tee to green moved up the leaderboard. They debate the most disappointing and most surprising opening rounds, their favorite horrible shots, and talk themselves into some unintended drive-bys of the kids just trying to navigate their way around Augusta. Gary Player’s idiot kid inserting himself in the honorary starter ceremony is panned. There’s a fashion review as well, from the Nike designs and colors, to the suspenders, to another spin of the Patrick Reed sponsor roulette wheel. They close with a bit on Rory, Spieth, and make/miss the cut predictions for some top names.

Andy gets up off the mat after a sick day for this late night amuse bouche of an episode as the Masters tees off on Thursday. He and Brendan begin with a Masters fact of the day on the honorary starters just continuing to play a round in carts after the pomp at the first tee. Then they get to their one-and-done picks to have those in under the wire. Some of their favorite tee times are highlighted for these first two days, the nominees for adding to your My Group shot-by-shot (or baton twirl by twirl) feature, and picks for the Chuck Hoffman Memorial first round leader. Some spicy quotes are reviewed -- like Rory potentially having to face impeachment as President of the PAC, Phil saying the golf course has not had to be respected due to softness, and Bryson on the onerous task of having to read greens with … your eyes, imagine that. There’s also the topic of his frisbee warm-up. This week has become a Masters SGS tradition and it is brought to you by the Shotgun Start blend of Bixby coffee—subscribe here and you will be able to join a live virtual and interactive happy hour during Friday’s round of the Masters.

This special bonus Tuesday edition of the Shotgun Start features old friend Fried Egg Paulie. Perhaps you’ve heard, but gambling and daily fantasy have become a part of the golf scene, especially at the Masters. There are a lot of Johnny-come-latelys riding this wave but Paulie is an original not looking for hype and most importantly, willing to indulge two know-nothing idiots. Andy maps out a daily fantasy lineup with Paulie’s help. Brendan asks how oddsmaking has changed since it’s rapid escalation as part of pro golf. They debate Bernhard Langer’s new equipment deal and Ian Woosnam’s breakfast of champions. They discuss Brooksy’s injury, low values, and hopeful amateurs. This has become a Masters SGS tradition and it is brought to you by the Shotgun Start blend of Bixby coffee -- subscribe here and you will be able to join a live virtual and interactive happy hour during Friday’s round of the Masters.

This Monday episode begins with news of Andy’s arrival back to the Land of Matt Fitzpatrick after some time-zone struggles. Then Brendan and Andy get into the first major winner of 2021, Patty Tavatanakit and her two-shot win over Lydia Ko. Her no-leaderboard watching policy is debated, Ko’s charge is extolled, and the Poppie leap is graded. Then they’re onto to the national open at TPC San Antonio, where Jordan Spieth got his first win since the summer of 2017. Both talk about what they felt seeing him get it done again, the Texas Open otherwise stinking, and delight of that late crappy 8-iron down the stretch to keep us on our toes, per Spieth protocols. A clarification is issued on the Redneck Riviera before Stephan Jaeger’s continued credentials as the KFT are debated. The first of two digressions on the Drive, Chip, and Putt takes place, with apathy and confusion the conclusion. Saturday’s second ANWA is praised, even if the play was underwhelming -- the Tour did have to take a backseat, after all. News hits on Brooksy and likely Rahm playing the Masters, the course looking dialed in after the weekend exposure, and Waffle House ignorance from two native midwesterners.

This wandering Friday episode features fantastic intel on the procurement of Patrick Reed’s apparel but begins with a quick announcement on some Masters week community gathering at a virtual Bixby House. Then Brendan and Andy catch up on Masters facts of the day, which include the alleged real pimento cheese recipe ANGC uses as well as old stories about caddies shagging balls on the range. Then they get to the tournaments at hand, reacting to the cut at ANWA and the tough scoring conditions. The ANA reactions focus on Shanshan Feng coming off the bench after a year away to post 67, the LPGA moving the tee up with the wall down at 18, and Michelle Wie’s impressive opener. Texas Open thoughts hit on Spieth’s early work, Phil’s implosion and level of care, and some low Cameron odds. News covers a hefty slow play fine for one LPGA rookie, DJ’s champions dinner menu, Brooksy’s engagement announcement, and the weird police procedure around disclosing the cause of Tiger’s accident. Precision Pro Flashback Friday serves up a smorgasbord of facts and stories on the earliest days of the ANA, then the Colgate Dinah Shore Winners Circle -- from the toothpaste executive that made this a lavish one-week party in the desert to an over-crowded Easter Sunday service on the 18th green to how it quickly became an event without peer on the schedule. Lastly, Andy chimes in with some facts and alarming history on Poppie’s Pond.

This Wednesday episode begins with a fun Sabbo story on his preferred drink order. Then there’s a debate on the merits of orange juice. Andy and Brendan eventually get into the schedule for the week, where the women at both the professional and amateur level have the stage. The ANA Inspiration is up first, where news of the blue wall coming down has dramatically changed that finisher. Andy ponders the wildlife in Poppy’s Pond, which Brendan argues is essentially now a swimming pool. There are “three things to watch” proffered for the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, where we might get a peek at a course that, according to Jordan Spieth, is rumored to be playing as firm as ever. They cover some of the top women in the field and also have a debate over the “Real USC.” Texas Open one-and-dones is a trip down Hoffman memory lane. They close with news of the Canadian Open going to Congaree and the TOUR selling a ketchup popsicle to an ISP in white gloves as another title sponsor for its regular season top 10.

Andy and Brendan hobble into a new week after a tedious Sunday at an otherwise enjoyable WGC Match Play. They react to the baton boy, the motormouth, the Town Crier of Ponte Vedra moving into the Swedish Pancake Club. Andy delights in his self-admonishments that became the soundtrack of the event. Then they get into his modest goals for the rest of his career -- winning the grand slam and the Players and making and captaining every team event. The Kevin Na and Dustin Johnson contretemps from Friday is reviewed, as well as the run of sudden death playoffs, which feel like format flaw. Inbee Park, a true living legend, is praised for her win at Aviara, where there was a plea for relief from a fountain geyser. Joely D’s big win in Punta Cana and Danie van Tonder’s victory in Kenya are also covered. News covers a report that there may be no fans at the U.S. Opens in California.

The great Kyle Porter of CBS joins for this Friday episode with Florida Man Andy on family vacation. Brendan and Kyle dive into the first two days from the WGC Match Play, delighting in Sergio’s camo pants, Bryson’s 46-yard drive, Spieth’s surge, and Rory’s walkabout in the wilderness. There’s also intel about the dangers this week in Austin with balls flying over the range net into play. Kyle talks about his upcoming trip to Augusta and what’s jumping out to him as the Masters bears down on us. Bryson’s underwhelming NFT rollout is reviewed, as are comments from his agent that the lack of demand was due to golf simply being a niche sport. They also discuss the Punta Cana finishing stretch being named “The Devil’s Elbow.” Precision Pro Flashback Friday is a two-scoop treat with Kyle bringing his own research on that time Tiger massacred someone not named Stephen Ames, and Brendan looking back on the year that absolutely no one showed up and the 90th ranked player in the world went through the bracket.

This Wednesday episode comes to you early with Andy needing to get to the beach, Brendan needing to clear out of his office, and most importantly, the WGC Match Play starting early. They immediately jump into laments on the Match Play round robin format and formulaic scheduling but also praise it as one of the great events of the season that always yields a controversy or two. They ponder if there will be a backboard at the drivable 13th and if Bryson will register a driver over 500 yards that’s immediately turned into an NFT. Also, the legend of “motormouth Billy” is born. The LPGA is also back this week and finally out of the Sunshine state, heading to a venerable Arnold Palmer design in California. They express excitement over the return of Michelle Wie West and this appetizer for the first major of the year. The field at the Punta Cana Championship is combed through with the usual enjoyment. The one-syllable crew at the Kenya Savannah Classic is also highlighted, which leads to a conversation on Toby Tree’s preferred accommodations. News hits on Bryson’s hamfisted NFT rollout, JT’s discussions with Tiger, and Jordan Spieth disclosing he was literally taped up during the past few rough years because of a hand injury we hadn’t heard about.

Andy and Brendan have to dig deep to find things to talk about after one of the more lifeless PGA Tour events they can recall. So they begin first with the Illinois basketball loss, some worse for the wear testimony, and a story about walking full speed into a glass door. At the Honda, they praise Matt Jones’ play and pace but also discuss how the Honda is an absolute no-win situation and this week was a conspicuously painful illustration of that. Andy proposes the Tour not schedule an event the week after The Players, in a further attempt to manipulate its status. Brendan ponders Phil getting exhausted by the constant scramble to stay in play while now also never contending, wondering if he might hang it up sometime in the not too distant future. The broadcast disaster on the European Tour is discussed and Bobby Diaz’s win on the Web Tour is praised. His shirt sponsor, however, is questioned. They conclude with Masters Fact of the Day on Moe Norman and the time he made his first trip to the Masters, much to the anxiety of the Canadian Golf Association. They recall the amusing story around his WD from that first Masters.

This Friday episode begins with some quick reactions to the first day at the Honda Classic, where Matt Jones may have posted the round of the year. Andy provides some intel on the Swamp draw differential that Jones took advantage of in the morning. There’s also discussion on the entire fleet of Honda vehicles and which one is best, as well as an effort to figure out what the company sponsoring the KFT event actually does. Masters Fact of the Day is on the cracker barrel (not that one) and Cheez-It procurement. A twofer Precision Pro Flashback Friday hits first on Bruce Lietzke, the 1984 Honda winner, who played an extremely unique schedule while at the top of his game and also nearly missed a tee time while looking for a hot dog. The second Flashback focuses on 1996 Honda winner Tim Herron, who won it early in his rookie year by edging John Daly as the longest off the tee and opening with a first round (much like Matt Jones) that some thought was a scoreboard malfunction. The 1996 Flashback is also an occasion to bring up a wildly amusing story on two players arriving via helicopter and fire truck at the golf course, as well as some sharp critiques of TPC Eagle Trace, the TPC Network, and Greg Norman’s relationship to that network.

This Wednesday episode begins with Brendan arguing why he’s against St. Patrick’s Day and Andy exasperated by the latest Bears quarterback move. They eventually get to the Honda Classic, where Rickie Tour Live returns with gusto and Westy completes his Swamp Swing show. There’s an impromptu check in on William McGirt and three things to watch focusing Westy and the weather. There’s some intel from on the ground at the Magical Kenya Open, which is up against the Chitimacha Louisiana Open in a hotly contested Event of the Week race. Padraig Harrington’s comments on the ball and a rollback further benefiting Bryson are reviewed. News hits on a positive Tiger update, a new and encouraging team match play event for the senior tour, and a fascinating article on LPGA setups being too tough relative to the PGA Tour.

This Players Monday episode begins by tackling the question of whether an Illinois B1G championship mitigates the despair of Westy fading at The Players in Andy’s world. They immediately jump into the JT-Westy contrasts, namely one putting together an all-time ballstriking round and the other desperately trying to cobble something respectable. They tear the band-aid off and re-live a “worst case scenario” for Andy. JT’s play and legacy are discussed, and Westy’s worst shot of the day is debated. There are giggles over the run of horrendous shanks and tops early in the round, which results in a Thicc impersonation. They also cover a setup quibble here and there, the Mattress King giving away his driver in the middle of a round, the Spieth-Sabbo contretemps, Doug Grim, and every shot live coverage. Brendan defends, maybe, the Players feeling major-ly to him. Rory’s comments about Bryson influencing his chase for speed and swing struggles are reviewed. News focuses on DJ opting out of the Olympics before one more round of Westy laments to sign off on a great week.

This Friday episode begins with an update on the other Players Championship, where there are multiple Coetzees in the field. Then Andy and Brendan react to the opening round at TPC Sawgrass, where Sergio went low and others imploded. They discuss the course setup, Rory’s potential abdication, the every shot live feature, the pin at 17, and Justin Thomas’ gripe about inconsistent firmness at that island green. There’s also chatter on the gambling gripes on rounds not finishing before darkness suspensions. Kevin Na is labeled as the opposite of Westy -- unsporting -- following his WD. Then, in honor of the great Fan Vote history at the Players, there’s a Fan Vote Friday Jr. segment highlighting the legend of Bobby Mac, who is making his Players debut this week. They close with Flashback Friday, and the subject is the Cajun Kiwi himself, the man who brought “The Town Crier” nickname to your PGA Tour Live broadcast.

The Gold Standard is back! This wide-ranging preview episode covers some course setup drama, another Jay Monahan appearance on CNBC, an Illinois basketball grievance, syllable efficiency on the tee sheet, and much more. They begin with some thoughts on an uninformed CNBC inquisitor botching another Commish visit with the network. Then Brendan offers some thoughts on why The Players, the actual event, is so enjoyable while the lard added onto it, is worthy of some backlash. Andy delights in yet another tweak to the 12th hole at TPC Sawgrass, this one a new tee allegedly to keep pace of play moving the first two days. The late mid-week change of declaring internal OB, aka The Bryson Rule, is debated. Some favorite tee times are highlighted, including a UPS quarantine and groups they would most/least want to join as a fourth. New hits on Webb Simpson prioritizing the FedExCup over the Olympics and a possible replacement for the canceled Canadian Open. They close with a Masters Fact of the Day on the icy relationship between Arnold Palmer and Ben Hogan.

A forlorn Andy signs on to chat about his idol Lee Westwood coming up short at Bay Hill. Brendan immediately inquires what hurt most -- the bad breaks, the poor shots, or the wasted opportunities with the Thicc Boi not exactly running away from him. Then the marvel at the Bryson circus act, from the show at the 6th hole, the extremely sketchy drop at 16 green, the bunker complaints, and the triumphant primal scream on the 18th green. They ponder a re-worked PGA Tour schedule that makes these crackling Q1 events the actual playoffs. There is a speed round segment on Pat Reed messing around in the rough, anticipated preferred lies, the Robert Gamez disaster, and Baton Boy Billy. Brendan has some comments on the Arnold hagiography watering down the authenticity of what was actually so great about him. They close with a conspiracy theory on Brooksy’s WD from The Players and a chat on Austin Ernst’s runaway win at Golden Ocala.

The golf talk is minimal in this Friday episode, which begins with news that Andy is up in LupLand looking over his shoulder. He provides some details of his day on the ground chatting about driveway costs, new HQ buildings, and the cool pictures throughout the clubhouse. There’s an apology tour for some mistakes on the USGA championship locations as well as Walker Cup competitiveness from Wednesday. There is a quiz on some of the official partners of the PGA Tour, such as “Official Business Knowledge Sponsor.” Then they get to the Town Crier’s high-profile day at Bay Hill, where fans chirped him on one green and he did a baton toss routine with his putter on another. There’s some chatter on Bryson chickening out at the 6th hole and whether a complaint should be filed with the EPA after his practice round dumping there. Brendan makes a larger point around the Golden Ocala on providing a greater platform for the LPGA. Precision Pro Flashback Friday focuses on two mid-90s winners at Bay Hill who didn’t find success on Tour until late in their careers.

This Wednesday episode begins with a belated birthday wish for one past Masters champion. Then Brendan and Andy get into the schedule of the week, beginning with the annual stop at Bay Hill. Andy cites the “screened-in porch watching” of this event while Brendan cites a history there for why they enjoy the API. Three things to watch focuses on what could be the distance debate denouement at the 6th hole this week. They try to decipher and translate some of the specifics in the Tour’s big announcement on partnering with Amazon Web Services. Then they get to the LPGA event at Golden Ocala, which they already got into in some detail on Monday’s episode. In this episode, they provide some more information on the Ocala area -- notably about private aviation neighborhoods, why it fights Lexington to be horse capital of the world, and a broadcast hijacker living there. There’s also revulsion about some of the drone footage of the tribute holes. News hits on the Walker Cup team announcement, the USGA taking a championship to Puerto Rico, and the possibility of a Euro Tour swing in Florida.

The week begins with some laughter-induced tears as Andy and Brendan delight in their re-acquaintance with the walking, talking Cologuard box. They naturally begin their results review with the Senior Tour, discussing the water hazards in Tucson, Mike Weir’s wounded putts and HOF credentials, and Kevin Sutherland “hanging in on the backside.” Then they get to the brilliance of Collin Morikawa and how his golf almost made Sunday’s finish at Concession boring. They discuss the venue’s volatility, its catch basin shotmaking challenge, and Billy Horschel’s ample commentary on the conditioning and commendation for the Tour setup crew. They discuss Brooksy’s run of J-Day health troubles. Also addressed are the many Tiger tributes and the discourse around those. Nelly Korda’s work at the Gainbridge is praised but not the tape-delayed broadcast. With the LPGA going to a third Orlando-area course, Andy stumbles into researching the tribute holes at next week’s venue and finds many factual errors.

Andy and Brendan close out the week with this Friday episode reacting to early action from across the “swamp swing,” where water is now in play on almost every hole across every tour. They marvel at the Solicitor General running out in front early at the PR Open, while also wondering if Bob Allenby’s island PTSD led to his DFL spot. There’s also a fun Smylie story about being put on the clock. Then they get back into The Concession crowbarring its name into the title of this WGC. Matthew Wolff’s WD is also addressed and lamented as a blow to the WGC spread watch. They laugh at the dramatic and constant framing about the challenge of these pros having to figure out a course they’ve never seen before this year. This week’s Precision Pro Flashback Friday is on a past winner at Doral, who clipped Fred Couples and Mark Calcavecchia, among others, before an outrageous run of health misfortunes.

Andy and Brendan begin this Wednesday episode with the unfortunate breaking Tuesday news of Tiger Woods’s serious car accident in Los Angeles. They react to the scenes from the brutal crash, news of Tiger’s “non-life-threatening injuries,” and hope for recovery to some form of normal. Then comes a preview of the schedule for the week, starting with the WGC Workday. Andy provides some intel on THE Concession while Brendan has some questions about its driving range. The field list at the oppo PR Open gets the usual treatment as does the Cologuard Classic (be sure to enter the first ever TFE/SGS Stool Pool on that). The return of the LPGA prompts praise for Madelene Sagström telling her story this week. News covers the USGA changing its rules on amateur status, the big blue wall going away at the ANA, and the PAC hitting on the all-important issue of playoff draw order.

This Monday episode revels in the weekend that was at Riviera, which the Shotgun Start proclaims as the Tour’s real “gold standard.” Andy and Brendan lead off by discussing Max Homa’s emotional win and the kind of resonance that winning this event at this moment had for him. They speak to the history that Riviera has on Tour and the event has in that market to build that kind of resonance. Then they get to the hard-luck loser, Tony Finau, who played his ass off but looked underwhelming in the playoff. The debacle of a wind delay and setup that was suddenly over the edge is covered in detail, with competing arguments over who screwed up. Also, is this a sign the Tour is at least trying to create a challenge or will we now see a month of play on pillows in Florida? Tiger’s dour TV appearance is discussed and Andy celebrates the 15-time major winner’s insistence on playing for the proper angles. They close with news of Phil playing the Dump in the Box classic, Rory becoming the PAC Pres, and the new LPGA match play event.

This Friday episode begins with an apology and some relief on the Bears dodging the Wentz bullet. Then Brendan and Andy debate what’s worse -- the narrative of an Elevated Status Slam now subtly being pushed, or the Tour Champ’s thirsty chase for the Happy Gilmore content train. Then they get to some initial thoughts on Riviera, which was playing quite firm and fast in the opening round. They discuss a few of their favorite holes, some “big names” taking their lumps, and Bassy Munoz’s new Flex Seal sponsorship. On the 2021 Web Tour debut, they discuss the alternate list fiasco that Mr. Golden Tee Andy Pope brought to light on Twitter. There’s a double helping of Precision Pro Flashback Friday, with Andy tackling a legendary duel that lasted more than a week before the next event at Pebble intervened, finished, and the Tour drove back to LA to finish up a playoff at Riviera. Brendan tackles Mr. Icicle, the four time LA Open winner, World Golf Hall of Famer, a war hero of the highest regard, and 11-time heart attack survivor. They close with news, which is a discussion on the pros and cons of Mike Whan taking the reins at the USGA.

This Wednesday episode previews the best week of the year on the PGA Tour, the annual LA Open Genesis Invitational at Riviera. Andy quickly anoints it the event of the week, but not after a brief digression on the Spieth v. Rickie OWGR race. There’s an apology related to that OWGR movement and Brendan proposes radical changes for Rickie’s career to get him out of the doldrums. Then they get to the course and field at hand, highlighting the strengths of Riviera, how it could be better, and how you can judge its greatness by simply asking “what is its worst hole?” They discuss the depth of the field, a quirk about the winners here, and the collegiate showcase winner Angus Flanagan, which prompts Andy to look into the career of another Angus. Continuing on the schedule for the week, they hit on the 2021 debut of the Web/KFT Tour in Florida, lamenting the lack of TV coverage and a sort of brain poisoning that the Reed rules shortcomings have had on lower tour play and qualifiers.

This Monday episode begins with some thoughts on social media, a Saudi Arabia ad on Golf Channel, and Nate Lashley’s four wiggle and subsequent course desecration. Eventually, Andy and Brendan get to the more pertinent matters of Daniel Berger’s win and Jordan Spieth’s weekend. They marvel at the specifics of Berger’s squeeze cut and the more general whole package, while also discussing (or questioning) his putting line-up routine. Spieth’s weekend was more evidence of how close he is and they discuss just a few of missing parts while appreciating the up-and-down theater. The PGA Tour’s flexibility on tee box setup is also praised but they ask for more throughout the season. The nebulous rules process is spotlighted contrasting the Pat Reed kerfuffle against the penalties on Maverick McNealy and Roo Knox (now dubbed Rich Man’s Kelly Kraft). When is, or should, video be used? They close with a few thoughts on why this is the best stretch of the season.

This Friday episode begins with a prompt apology to the local news industry and to Xander Schauffele on an item unrelated to the local news issue. Then Brendan and Andy get into the early action from Pebble Beach, where Patrick Cantlay went low, Akshay Bhatia dialed in, and Jordan Spieth’s duck tape held up on the coast. They also highlight the significant impact a bad piece of fruit had on Bhatia’s sterling round. There’s also some chatter about the 6th hole and a radical proposal heard on PGA Tour Live to add internal OB there. Then they get to Precision Pro Flashback Friday (promo code Shotgun20) and the subject this week is the miracle 1994 Pebble Beach Pro Am win by Johnny Miller, who’d been a full-time TV person at that point and hadn’t won in 7 years. He’d barely made any starts on Tour in the 90s. The Flashback gets into his struggles with the putting yips that had him playing (and somehow winning) as a ceremonial golfer that week, as well as the tense relationship he had with players (including one now in a TV tower) due to some comments in those early years in the booth.

This Wednesday episode begins with some chatter about the peculiar habit of local news consumption in the year 2021. Then Brendan and Andy dive into the breaking Tuesday news that the PGA Championship, Women’s PGA, and Stand-up Mixer PGA will permit the use of distance measuring devices starting THIS year. They debate whether this is the erosion of yet another skill, an area that was already properly bifurcated, and dispel with the cover justification that this is a pace-of-play nostrum. Then they get to the schedule for the week, which is light and simply the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Despite its lack of competition on the event side, the field is the weakest its ever been and Andy wonders how that might sit with its telecom giant sponsor, which backs two events now struggling to attract primo fields. They discuss the Saudi impact on two West Coast swing events and also cover this modern pro’s ability to play for huge sums every week without having to glad-hand potential sponsors at a Pro-Am like this. In news, they hit on a trio of LPGA subjects, like the new Popov rule, a new title sponsor doubling a purse, and Annika coming back for an event after she played as a celebrity in another one a few weeks ago.

Even before the final putt fell in Phoenix, Andy and Brendan chatted on Super Bowl Sunday night to recap the weekend that was at TPC Scottsdale. They begin with Brooks Koepka’s victory, his admission that he was in some “dark places,” and the significance, if any, of this win for his future. They also note the symbolism of how he got lost (by most people, not all) in the shuffle of a weekend that became all about Jordan Spieth. The Golden Child is obviously the next subject of their chat. They review that magical Saturday, the two-way-miss Sunday, and if he’s “back” and what that even means. Xander’s sloppy final round is also scrutinized. DJ’s victory is praised at the Saudi International, an event that lacks both character and any real juice. They close with some comments from JT on gambling concerns and some balance sheet data that might rebut the comments from both JT and Rory on the distance report last week.

This Friday episode begins with an admission from Andy that he might be turning into a “Florida man,” which prompts an interrogation from Brendan on why he wasn’t at the historic moment when a new all-time wins leader was crowned in the MLGT this week. Then they get into the Saudi event, namely some informed guesses on appearance fee totals, if this course is ever played outside of this week, and how such a new venue already has an obsolete range. The Phoenix Open chatter focuses on some amusements and nicknames from PGA Tour Live, Big Jay perhaps delivering the news personally to Rory that a volunteer stepped on his ball, and the BetCast experiment. At one point, the invasiveness of gambling promotion is compared to the heyday of marketing cigarettes to kids. There is a new sponsor for Flashback Friday, which is a lengthy dive into one of Phil’s Phoenix Open conquests and a look back at a changing of the guard in American golf. An extended news segment goes into more distance report chatter, specifically on the asinine comments from Justin Thomas and the meandering words from Rory McIlroy.

This episode begins with a lengthy segment on the announcement from the USGA and R&A disclosing some notable “research topics” and “proposed equipment standards changes.” Andy and Brendan dissect the different areas of interest and proposals and the potential implications from a document on the distance issue. They ponder the PGA Tour’s response to a local rule option, whether this is language signaling a rollback or just holding the line, and then reasons for optimism as well as concern from this announcement. There’s also great amusement over the CT Machine page from 2004 in the document. After that opening segment, they get to the schedule for the week, praising the Phoenix venue, its conditioning, its finishing holes, and its loaded field this week. They discuss whether JT was put on some secret suspension based on the language of a recent tweet. On the Saudi International, they read Paul Casey’s statement on the reason for his flip-flop. News closes with some Reed follow-up, like the fact that his attorney had to deny ownership of a burner account and a sportsbook refunding bettors who didn’t have him to win.

The new month starts down a path we’ve been before: Patrick Reed engulfed in a shady rules controversy of his own making and the PGA Tour covering for him. This Monday episode jumps right into the drama from the weekend. Andy explains why this wasn’t nearly to the level of the sandcastles Reed built at the Hero Challenge. Brendan argues that this seemed to be an M.O. for Reed, his behavior indicating that this is part of some usual decision tree for getting better lies. They react to all the condemnation, even from some of the most down-the-middle voices in the game, like the analysts at CBS. The larger point, however, is that this illustrates yet again the vast unregulated gray area that the PGA Tour now lives in and how that seems untenable with gambling now becoming such a large part of the operation. After that lengthy discussion on the rules drama, they get into the actual brilliance of Patrick Reed’s play and how lamentable it is that all of it is overshadowed. Andy has some numbers showing how lofty the company Reed keeps from a resume perspective, and how he might have more staying power than all of them.