The Shotgun Start

Brendan begins this Victory Monday with a declaration that the Browns are going to the playoffs while Andy considers a potential visit to the midwest for the Browns-Bears game in December. Then they get to the news from Sunday morning that Paul Azinger is not coming back to NBC and Golf Channel next year. They ponder some replacements, especially if the “has to have won a major” unwritten rule is still in effect. Then they get to the win of Ludvig Aberg and the continued youth movement, aided by PGA Tour U. A disconcerting article on the PGA Tour asking tournaments themselves to kick in more money, likely taking it out of charitable contributions, is also covered with a raised eybrow. Tiger’s return is noted, too, before a rambling finish on Brooksy, the TGL dome, and some other news items.

It’s Friday! Andy and Brendan are ready to get to the weekend and a short holiday week with plenty of Year in Review research awaiting. They begin with pictures of the TGL “arena” deflating due to a power loss. Are we officially at the “show, don’t tell” phase of this ambitious endeavor? Or are we way past it? Then they get to LANTO Griffin calling out names, from Rory being “bought” while on the policy board to quick drive-bys of Jay, Collin Morikawa, and Justin Thomas. They also discuss Rory’s reason for resigning his spot on the board late on Tuesday night and the questioning of his motives. They also hit on new LPGA details from its commissioner, the new college golf rankings, and the LIV free agency period before closing with a quick Golf Advice segment.

It’s whiparound Wednesday, and Andy is confronting the possibility that he might have made a mistake adding a second dog to the house. Brendan begins with the Netflix Cup, an assault on the senses in a place that excels at that, Las Vegas. What was that? Who was it for? Was it good at all? They react as they watch and the Cup drags on. Then they bounce around on all manner of golf tidbits, from disputing a 100-hole “hike” at a par-3 course, the Tour’s absurd new pace of play policy which introduces a new acronym, Ale Tosti going to Japan, Atlanta Drive’s full roster, and Mike Block making another ace with the cameras rolling. There’s also ample time given to Frank Nobilo’s comments that “golf is in a weird space” right now with the amount of money given to a pro sport that is "outrated by volleyball." It is out of whack, but are we too far gone and will it course correct. They close with a schedule for the week and some deep thoughts about the mis-numbering of birthdays.

It’s a jubilant Victory Monday at the Shotgun Start with a totally unexpected Browns win over the Ravens and Illinois perhaps finding its quarterback of the immediate future. It’s also a victory Monday for the PGA Tour, where Camilo Villegas won in Bermuda to back up the incredible story of Erik van Rooyen’s victory the week prior. They discuss this feat, Camilo’s perspective, and all the good the tour can offer even in these lesser events, just as long as they accept them for what they are. A wild rules situation at the Hong Kong Open is covered in detail, Lexi and Lydia missing the LPGA’s season finale, and Rory winning the Order of Merit on the Euro Tour make up the news section. Lastly, they close with some comments from McIlroy in an interview on his confrontation with Joe LaCava in which he calls Patrick Cantlay a “dick” and discusses their differences, which all comes ahead of PGA Tour board meetings.

It’s a stuffed November Friday episode for Brendan and Andy, who is dreading the Bears playing in national primetime yet again. They meander from that into the lengthy Wired article on the tech and plans for TGL, which provided some of the most substantive details to date about what this is and what it might look like. This leads to a few different rants on the current silly season splash of money and the amount of oxygen it’s currently taking up alongside the Tour’s looming decision to get in bed with Private Equity or the Saudis. Brendan then brings back Flashback Friday to talk a bit about the Nedbank Challenge, this week’s Euro Tour event, and Corey Pavin’s 1995 win there as it tried to emerge from a tainted origin story. They close with SGS Golf Advice on strollers on the golf course and turning in a cheating partner that you have a close relationship with outside of golf.

This Wednesday episode begins with one more travel tale for 2023 as Andy recalls a particularly egregious neighbor on his plane ride home on Tuesday. There’s also some cycling culture follow-ups from Brendan before they get to the actual golf for the week. They begin with another round of TGL news, from the big Ballfrog rollout at Fenway to the sixth and final team setting up shop in great American metropolis of Jupiter, Florida. They also discuss Rory McIlroy’s comments about a preference to have the PIF involved with the future sorting of the PGA Tour, and how there seems to be some conflict among factions as that league tries to sort out its financial future. The latter half of the episode gets into schedule for the week with another rousing edition of In? Out? or Alternate? for the Butterfield Bermuda Championship.

It’s a Monday in November, so this podcast rambles all over the place talking about some golf and non-golf topics. Andy and Brendan begin with some travel tales from the weekend, including a humorous hotel situation, miscalculated drive times, and questions about cyclists. Then they get to the WWT Championship in Mexico, where Erik van Rooyen capped off an incredible back nine with an even better post-win interview on the meaning of the week for him with a close friend near death. They discuss the purpose of these late fall events in light of that win, even if ratings and interest are minimal. There’s also some discussion of the Champions Tour and its purpose. There’s an unsubstantiated rumor about the next iteration of The Match. Andy claims Matteo Mannassero is Brendan’s muse for some reason. News hits on Framework Agreement details and PGA Tour players getting to play the LIV Q school event without punishment.

This Friday episode begins with a round of apologies for the schedule issues this week. But there’s also some blame game going around before they transition to a hybrid whiparound Wednesday and Friday chat. The first half begins with the firehose of news on TGL, where the Ballfrogs have a roster, Collin Morikawa has the chills, and Jon Rahm is exiting the stage before play even starts. They discuss the motivations for Rahm’s departure and if it means anything at all on the LIV front. There’s also a mix of amusement, criticism, and anticipation for what exactly this thing will look like. The second half of the episode hits on the PGA Tour event at Tiger’s course in Mexico, where the width of the fairways are yielding some eye-opening stats. They close it out with SGS Golf Advice.

Andy and Brendan are together in the Shed in Central California for this lively Monday episode. They begin with some thoughts on the weekend that was in golf, starting with the Asia Pacific Am at Royal Melbourne and the desire for more Sandbelt golf in our lives. News hits on the report that the PGA Tour rejected Endeavor’s bid to become an investment partner in their new for-profit entity, prompting questions about who’s in charge, what options are on the table, and what’s preferred as the Tour nears its year-end deadline to finalize the details of the Framework Agreement. Michael Block’s exemption to the Aussie Open is also discussed. The second half of the episode is the sixth edition of their annual golf-related Halloween costumes ideas segment, with some amusing and offbeat options given the year we’ve had in golf and on the Shotgun Start.

It’s unclear what was really planned for this episode, or what it actually turned out to be about in the end. For some reason, there is a Michael Block tangent as Andy and Brendan discuss their imminent annual Halloween costumes episode. There’s also a discussion about listeners requesting fewer tangents and more golf talk. There is an apology, sort of, to the Texas Rangers and Diamondbacks fanbases. They discuss news from the Asia-Pacific Am that the heads of Augusta National and The Open are not currently discussing extra LIV specific exemptions for their majors, at least in a public way. The latter half of the episode hits SGS Golf Advice on fluffing lies, a friend who bought the F1 driver, and a mismarked golf ball.

This Wednesday episode begins with some excitement for the return of basketball, just not the return of Bulls basketball. Then Andy and Brendan dig a little deeper in LIV touting its wins at the “World Golf Awards.” Who and what else won these awards? Were there other candidates? Is The Belfry the greatest golf complex ever created? Then they transition to a Rex Hoggard report from LIV Miami, where Bubba, CH3, and Kevin Na had some thoughts and BIG BRAIN ideas on how the framework agreement, which seems on its death bed, could potentially merge the two tours. Schedule for the week hands out the event of the week to a delightful Asia-Pacific Am watch from Royal Melbourne. News hits on the Schwab Cup postseason being a wrap before it even started and whether or not Steve Stricker should show up to any of the events.

It’s Victory Monday for Andy and Brendan, who begin with some enthusiastic chatter about Tyson Bagent, his father, and the Bears future. There’s also some pushback on the Browns getting lucky calls and a golf comp to the debate over the Tush Push. Then they get to the golf, beginning with the LIV Finale and Bryson’s DeChambeau’s team winning in Miami. There’s some praise for the format, which produces some compelling moments … that nobody seems to be watching in person or on TV. They express some happiness for Bryson, who has “friends by arrangement” with a team. There’s less joy for Paul Casey. On the PGA Tour, they discuss Collin Morikawa’s victory in Japan and the bewildering game of Beau Hossler. During recording, news breaks of the Euro Tour now offering exemptions to some PGA Tour detritus down the FEC standings. News hits on a radio interview with Lucas Glover, who spoke of the shame of a splintered USA Ryder Cup team that he’d heard about from friends “in the fight.”

Andy and Brendan are together in Pinehurst, where they’re worse for the wear after battling “tuffs” of grass that will surely keep Charley Hoffman away from next year’s U.S. Open. They discuss some of their day out at No. 2 before getting onto the matchups for the LIV team championship in Miami. Should we seriously analyze this? Is there further Cleeks disrespect? Then they address Phil Mickelson’s comments that he “knows” more people are coming to LIV and that everyone is taking lots of calls from players dying to get over there. The last half of the pod takes on some SGS Golf Advice questions about choosing a wedding over a member-guest and when you should or should not help a playing partner look for their golf ball.

Andy and Brendan are a bit punchy in this late night recording before they both take on some travel early Wednesday. They begin with a bunch of random questions and a moment of silence for the Spikemark-gate drama that embroiled NCAA golf all fall. Then they turn to a sad note on the passing of Ivor Robson and what they remember about him. The “Netflix Cup” is discussed briefly, but quickly devolves in some incredulous yelling about the new Stealth collaboration with an F1 team sponsored by an energy drink and software. The schedule for the week discusses the Zozo and Champions Tour but then takes a longer look at the LIV Team Championship week in Miami. Is the format worthwhile or overly confusing? Would it be better if the league were not a joke? News hits TGL rounding out its roster with four more names, including Hatless Pat and Broomstick Lucas. Then they close it out with Buddy Ball coming to the Hero World Challenge and its loaded field.

It’s an unexpected and jubilant Victory Monday for Brendan, who is joined by legendary friend of the program Shane Bacon. The two wander around for a bit talking the Browns upset of the 49ers, a wildly unpredictable NFL, and thermostat negotiations as the season changes. Then they jump into the weekend that was in golf, beginning with the most recent finish out in Vegas. They ponder what to make of Tom Kim, winning at a great clip for such a young age but also feasting on some weaker events. How do we gauge young talents -- what metrics do we prioritize? Then they get to the LIV season finale, or part of it, which happened overnight and was exceedingly difficult to watch. They discuss the lack of juice with all things LIV, Talor Gooch’s incredibly successful and lucrative decision to join LIV, the confusing relegation zone, and what’s left on the Match Play front. There’s also scorn for the decrepit Majesticks franchise. The latter half of the episode covers Angel Yin’s first LPGA win, Lilia Vu needing more pub, Brooks Koepka yet again popping Matt Wolff, and Tiger’s ridiculous outfit playing golf last week.

Andy and Brendan are here to close out the week with some nostalgia -- about electronics, baseball stadium quirks, and the MLB playoffs needing a staggered start as it works through its Bill Haas era. Then they get to the big news of the week, the OWGR denying LIV’s application to receive certification and points. They discuss how both groups seem to be marginalized and in need of fixing, and why the decision has some merit and where it might be clearly susceptible to critique. They discuss Phil’s tweets on the matter, and if the players collective bargaining for more of the overall majors cut will play well when only a couple of the players and a couple of the events truly matter. The TGL additions, who are not Blockie, are also discussed. Ben An’s three-month suspension for violating the PGA Tour’s drug policy is also reviewed, as both overly harsh or overly soft. They close with Friday’s Golf Advice on another handicap issue for a buddies trip and calling out someone teeing up in front of the markers.

This Wednesday episode begins with an apology for the disasters of Monday, but also some tales from the road, including an angry and offended listener confronting Andy in real life on a certain take. Then Brendan relays an incredible Tosti Tale from this past week’s PGA Tour card award ceremony at the Korn Ferry Tour finals. This leads to a detour into whether or not Tosti is in the Shriners Field, which results in a discussion that is the mess of the PGA Tour fall right now. Status and field exemptions can be incongruous. Also, the “Framework Agreement” with the PIF may be dead and where does that leave things? The Hatgate controversy follow-up that got cut off from the end of Monday’s episode is also updated here with a few more thoughts that didn’t make it into that recording. Blockie’s continued tour, now with Tiger Woods, is also covered.

This Monday episode probably did not need to exist, but a worse-for-the-wear Brendan gets Andy on the horn for 30 minutes to review some of the weekend that was in golf. They begin, however, with an amusing unsubstantiated rumor about Viktor Hovland’s music listening. Then they get to some of their own tales from the road before flipping to the Chicken Championship and a wild Luke List victory in a five-man playoff. The KFT finals are given an accounting, with some sadness for the Gas Man missing out on a card for a silly rule. There’s also some more Tosti talk as well as some props for the Epson Tour card advancers, but not its executive tweeting angrily about the newsletter. Lastly, they close with a Michael Bamberger piece on Hatgate that sheds some light on some of the positions of Cantlay and how that story may have blown up into the runaway train it became in Rome.

This Friday episode was recorded before the Bears-Commanders Thursday night game, but that doesn’t stop an opening rant of dejection from Andy about the present and future state of his team. Then they get into a whiparound Friday that begins with JT tweeting about media coverage and Brooksy’s apparent disapproval as well. Then they move to Freddie Couples spilling some tea on the specifics of what happened with the Rory McIlroy confrontation with Joe LaCava at the Ryder Cup. LIV’s OWGR fate is also mentioned. Luke Donald getting a repeat captaincy is discussed. Lexi Thompson’s exemption to the Shriners is debated. And TGL signing a rights deal with ESPN as well as previewing its new arena is covered. They close with an SGS Golf Advice on violent bosses, handicap cartels, and buddies trip dynamics.

It’s a punchy Wednesday episode as Andy and Brendan are giddy about post-Ryder Cup developments. They begin with the addition of an “Andrew Waterman” to the Dunhill links at the real Old Course. They giggle about the need for a pseudonym in a real European Tour event, and the inclusion of five LIV players in one of its preeminent events. Then they turn their attention to Daddy Schauffele, the subject of several articles with comments focused on player compensation in the Ryder Cup. There are some amusing comps and several critiques of the comments, support for some of the notions put forth, and the menacing mention of “courts” having a potential say in the debate. There’s also some ire for Schauffele and Cantlay. Schedule for the week hits on the KFT finals and what exactly is at stake, including the potential for Ale Tosti to finish No. 1 overall in the points and have full status for next year. This leads to a couple more Tosti Tales. The beloved Sanderson, its field, and some favorite groups are given the final say in a rambling episode.

Andy and Brendan are live from their B. Draddy Den after a weekend watching the Ryder Cup and bombing around the New York area. The USA made it interesting on Sunday, but in the end, it was a highly questionable concession by Rickie Fowler that put a European team that started the day with a big lead over the top to take back the cup. They dissect the full day of singles matches in the aftermath of the continued fallout with Rory McIlroy trying to storm the USA locker room to confront Joe LaCava. That ongoing drama, as well as Cantlay hat-gate, is discussed in addition to the actual golf in the form of some MVPs and LVPs for each side. They attempt an autopsy at what went wrong on the losing side, with several people and circumstances playing into the failure. They do the same for the winning side and praise the work of Luke Donald in contrast to Zach Johnson. Thanks to B. Draddy for their support all week and for you listening and letting SGS do this.

Andy and Brendan jump on the horn immediately following another full, dramatic, amusing day at the Ryder Cup in Rome. They’re fresh from watching Patrick Cantlay put together a dazzling finish to take the last point of the day, one which included a report that he had become the center of a divisive USA team room. Zach Johnson’s tactics are called into question again, especially his apparent intervention on a tee box with a buddy system duo of Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas that’s scuffled through three of four sessions. There’s praise for USA MVP Max Homa, the lionhearted old head Justin Rose, and many others. There is not praise for Brooks Koepka, who was awful in an record-losing performance in the morning. They close with some thoughts on the possibility of a Sunday comeback and where the captains may look for hope, or signs of trouble.

Andy and Brendan are live from their Draddy Den during an NYC deluge, and are full of energy ready to dissect the similar deluge of TV commercials and European haymakers on day 1 of the Ryder Cup. They begin with an improved afternoon session for the U.S., in terms of competitiveness, but one that still had the Euros extend their lead after a 4-0 clean sweep in the morning foursomes. They go through every main character from each side, the captain’s strategies, and offer praise and critique for one of the worst days ever for a USA Ryder Cup team. They close with a segment on the TV coverage that became the main character for at least the first four or five hours of the competition. This episode was also simulcast live on YouTube if you’d like to watch haphazard visual edition of the episode there.

Andy and Brendan are in the Big Apple for Ryder Cup week, hanging with their friends from B.Draddy and playing some golf in the Met area. They begin one of the best weeks of the pro golf year with this preview episode in front of some friends at Draddy HQ in Manhattan. They discuss some of the players they’re most concerned about for each side in Rome, as well as some of the top points earners and concerning pairings. There’s plenty of hype for the Sepptic Tank, Brian Harman, and the (apparently?) big-mouthed Wyndham Clark. There is, of course, talk about JT and Rory too. The evolution of Brooks Koepka is covered in depth, as well as some needling of the Euro press. They close by discussing the underwhelming venue choice and make some final picks for how they think this will go over the next three days.

With Brendan partying with Bills Mafia, Joseph LaMagna joins Andy to talk about this week's golf. The two start by discussing the Solheim Cup and the good (the action on the course) and the bad (the coverage). The conversation then moves to rounding out the other results in golf including Norman Xiong's win on the Korn Ferry Tour and Bryson's triumph on LIV. The end of the episode centers on a quick discussion of the week ahead at the Ryder Cup in Rome.

It’s Friday! Andy and Brendan are disgruntled and full of zip for this episode taking us into the weekend. They begin with some early reactions to the Solheim Cup, which started with the Europeans and some American second-guessing going up in flames. They delight in the disaster of a venue, some underwhelming early showings, one alt-shot duo going out in 45, and the Americans showing strength. News hits on the Ryder Cup press conference schedule apparently telegraphing the pairing plan for next week. Then they hit on Michael Block’s most recent win and the PGA Tour exemption it triggers for next year. Golf Advice hits on a lunatic scramble host chirping you, a player walking out of the woods to play in front of you, and how not to be an obnoxious fan rooting for the away team at the Ryder Cup. Lastly, Andy rants about a seemingly unprecedented Bears mess just two weeks into the season.

It’s the first of two international match play weeks at the Shotgun Start, which will lead to some unorthodox record times. But first Andy and Brendan begin this Solheim Cup week with some cleanup over a disastrous Monday Night Football game for the Browns and Justin Fields outright questioning his coaching. Then they get to the Solheim Cup and USA Captain Stacy Lewis publicly expressing her disappointment over the lack of commitment to co-promote or capitalize on the Solheim and Ryder Cups in consecutive weeks in similar parts of the world. This leads to a lengthy discussion on whose duty it would be to do such a thing and also how rights deals are stripping the networks bare. Then there’s some amusing intel on the quirk and, um, underwhelming aspects of this random Spanish venue choice. It does not sound like it will be fun for fans to get around but there may be some interesting TV. Looking ahead to next week, we already have our first game within the game for the Ryder Cup, and it involves Jon Rahm. News touches on Tiger Woods’s new restaurant, what he likely calls his new partner Justin Timberlake, and whether Andy and Brendan should go to the establishment next week in New York.

It’s a whiparound Monday episode that begins with Andy and Brendan discussing various tales and messages that came across their desk over the weekend. Andy predicts Blockie will never leave our lives. There’s also some light football discussion, including amusement at the Florida Gators recent Billy-Ho inspired prop. Then on the Fortinet, or Fortnite Championship, they praise Sahith and what he can represent, but caution about some of the insane expectations. They also discuss JT’s performance and what it means for Rome. Over on the Euro Tour, they cover a wide range of topics from an odd Wentworth, one that Rory called at one point a “shitshow.” They hit on Ryan Fox’s win, a drunk fan heckling Big Shot Bob over a wager, and Rahm hitting a persimmon. Is Tommy Fleetwood also the golf equivalent of Justin Herbert? News hits on a report of a Sergio Garcia last ditch attempt to make himself eligible for the Ryder Cup and some seriously deluded Jimmy Walker comments about the changes to PGA Tour status and all the hard labor he’s put in over the years only to have the rug pulled out from under him with these adjustments. Finally, they close with a chat on Stew Hagestad and his incredible run of amateur golf.

It’s Friday! And there is golf in many parts of the globe, but Joseph LaMagna begins by quizzing and confounding Brendan with the latest TikTok trend. That quickly transitions to a wandering chat on all things Rome, including Adrian Meronk’s play at Wentwoth and JT’s play in Napa. It’s what Joseph is calling the potential “Petty Swing.” Then they get to news that Team USA wants to preserve its “sacredness” and “sanctity” by not allowing the Netflix cameras into the team room in Rome. There’s also a discussion of DJ’s comments that he would be on the Ryder Cup team were he playing on the PGA Tour this year and not LIV. Then they get to a beefy Golf Advice section, replying to emails on a range of questions about gimme controversies, lunatics chucking clubs, not remembering names, and rain gear off the golf course.

This Wednesday episode begins with the somber news of an Aaron Rodgers injury and a hypothetical on 24-hours of disaster at MetLife stadium. Then Brendan and Andy move to three things from social media in the last couple days 1) Tiger out there on a range, swinging some clubs (lightly) in public, 2) the off-the-bus intimidating burliness of the team picture for Europe during its scouting day in Rome, and 3) the PGA Tour’s “tough spot” regarding even the acknowledgment of one of the country’s great tragedies. The schedule for the week is back, with some thoughts on the Fortinet field and ample discussion on the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, a place Billy Horschel said he’d prefer to play for “25” events a year. Billy had a lot to say, including pleas for more Americans to play it and also that the trees make it feel like there are even more fans watching. News hits on Gil Hanse renovating Spanish Bay, USGA championships coming to Prairie Dunes, and more.

It’s Victory Monday! For Brendan, at least. Andy has fewer nice things to say about his football teams and is ready to maybe check out on the Bears season. Then they move to tennis, which had its great final completely overshadowed by the opening Sunday in the NFL and maybe should take a page out of the FedEx Cup. An ad read for a new sponsor leads to some Irish Open chatter on the weather, Rory’s four balls in the water, and the Candyman’s ascent. There’s a segment on the USA’s big scouting trip to Rome over the weekend, where 9 of the 12 team members made it. Does it matter much for the actual Cup? Are people going to overreact to the ones who did not make the trip? The LPGA event leads to a side chat on Lexi’s awful year and upcoming Solheim Cup. The Champions Tour chat is more of an occasion to react to some interesting Ernie Els comments on technology leading to swing speeds that are not sustainable if you want to stay healthy. They close with a random flashback to the 2000 NFL Draft.

The SGS anniversary week rolls on with this beefier “Thursday-Friday” episode. Andy and Brendan begin with a quick schedule for the week review with some above-average golf taking place during NFL’s opening weekend. They discuss the Irish Open at the K Club, where the Prince of Ponte Vedra is playing with his Town Crier during a busy pre-Ryder Cup stretch that has some Euros raising eyebrows. Also pondered is how many people will watch the Champions Tour finish vs. the NFL late games on Sunday. News begins with an absolute bombshell of an NCAA golf scandal that might involve shady dealing and cyber espionage. It then moves to rumblings of Justin Thomas putting his coach, also his father, on the backburner, which his dad has already roundly denied as untrue. There’s also coverage of Adrian Meronk’s “anger” over his Ryder Cup snub and whether LD will need to steer clear of Warsaw. The episode concludes with two different segments: over-unders that weave between golf and the two hosts’ general pessimism about their NFL teams as they kick off the season, and then SGS golf advice on caddie tipping and a “gimme” controversy.

Andy and Brendan are back from the holiday weekend recording on the fifth anniversary of the start of this podcast, a misguided, silly, but often rewarding endeavor. They briefly discuss their weekends before a separate tennis chat on the U.S. Open in New York and what golf might learn, or not learn, from that. There’s also some brief amusement over Martin Kaymer’s dissatisfaction with the Cleeks. Then they get to the European Ryder Cup team rounding out with six picks from Luke Donald and what the Aberg selection says about the current state of golf. There’s also some review of the U.S. roster and where it might run into points of contention against some of the personalities on this now finished Euro side. That also leads to a separate side reminiscence on the internal disaster that was the 2018 U.S. team when this podcast started, and whether there’s the potential for that with this group. The Walker Cup at the Old Course is given a recap, with some thoughts on how to improve or tweak it going forward. News hits on the CJ Cup taking over the Byron Nelson.

This Friday episode was recorded from the car that was the scene of the infamous Caves Valley audio disaster, and from a worse-for-the-wear return to the shed. But it’s a first of the month episode so Andy and Brendan are buoyant and excited for Labor Day, which is rated as a top holiday. Then they turn to some Ryder Cup clean up and the noteworthy quotes from Fred Couples that Keegan Bradley being older and not in tight with some of the younger guys on the team played a part in his not being selected. Any denial that friendships played a role in roster construction has zero worth or merit, even if that’s the proper construction process. They also discuss the Euro movements and the signs that Ludvig Aberg seems headed for a spot on Luke Donald’s team. They laugh at the Walker Cup hat uproar across the pond, but are eager to watch some great coffee golf from the Old Course. The week closes with SGS Golf Advice and an email on what to do when paired with two possibly made men who might be cheating their face off to win for your team in a charity scramble. Lastly, hit the Pro Shop for a Labor Day sale, using code LABORDAY15 for 15 percent off everything in the shop, including prints.

It’s a last-of-the-month recording for Andy and Brendan, who are working with spotty wifi after a day of travels from beautiful Northeast Ohio. They begin with some commentary on a recent Twitter poll on various Ohio cities, and the wonderful people we met at the event in Canton. Then they get to the news of the day: the USA Ryder Cup team rounding out its roster with six captain’s picks. They begin, and go and go and go, on the Zoom performance of Captain Zach Johnson, who really struggled answering questions and reading from a brutal set of prepared notes. They pick apart some of his justifications and stumbling and bumbling answers that give them pause about what could be coming in Rome. They also get to the picks, eventually, like Justin Thomas and Sam Burns getting in over Keegan Bradley, Cameron Young, and others. They discuss the big JT question and the notion that he’s the “heart and soul” of the team or the preposterous trend of the “American Ian Poulter.” There’s also a brief chat on some potential pairings to come.

Andy and Brendan are together in Cleveland and took in an absolutely thrilling final round of the 2023 PGA Tour season, where Viktor Hovland and Xander Schauffele went 63 and 62 to get in the clubhouse tied at 19-under … for low gross. They discuss the relatively flatline weekend in Atlanta and whether it’s an indictment of the staggered start leaderboard or just a one-off clunker. Either way, CBS can’t be happy but does it matter if the sponsors are sated? They celebrate Viktor’s continued ascent, as well as Xander’s continued run at East Lake..and rumored disgruntlement with the entire shadow win arrangement that has jammed him multiple times. They also discuss Scottie Scheffler’s woeful putting yet again and whether he will need to be hid at the Ryder Cup, and who his six new teammates might be when ZJ announces them on Tuesday. They close with news of a Tosti Tales suspension from the KFT just weeks after a debrief on the myth and legend of the hothead.

Andy and Brendan begin this Friday summer episode with a host of travel takes given recent airline trips -- from baggage claim to boarding to de-boarding. Then they get to the Net Tour Championship, where we have a ballgame despite the starting strokes! Andy and Brendan debate the contenders, with Andy digging in some more. They explore the Scottie regression, Collin’s big charge and what’s sustainable, and the peak chaos scenario we’re all rooting for: Adam Schenk. Also, would the ultimate blow to the FEC be its winner not making the Ryder Cup team, and would Keegan get a pick if he won it? There's also a lengthy discussion on Rory’s back injury, how it might have occurred, and whether the Tour keeping these things hush given the warm embrace and promotion of gambling is the future way to go. They close with SGS Golf Advice on a rumble on the course, asking your wife to un-book some golf, and law school degenerates revealing themselves in a round.

This Wednesday episode begins with a commitment to be, like the PGA Tour, “laser-focused” on the Tour Championship. But Brendan and Andy are quickly derailed with several submissions on Scandinavian relations following the Sunday chat on Viktor Hovland exiting the Swedish Pancake Zone. Then they get to the matters at hand in Atlanta, from the challenge of overcoming a staggered start to the sweaty conditions. They make picks for the week, run through the schedule for the week, and announce the event of the week. Then there’s a lengthy review of Jay Monahan’s press conference, from his comments on Maui to the Framework Agreement and a “positive outcome” for the PGA Tour. Is the Saudi PIF included in this outcome? News hits on JT committing to play the Fortnite Championship and the No.1 fairway wood as reviewed by the unbiased My Golf Spy.

It’s a loaded Monday episode with the Playoffs in full effect, team match play rosters taking shape, and American cities to debate and pit against one another. Andy relays a tale from a boiling hot sweaty round in STL and Brendan discusses his travels from DEN. They begin with the incredible scores from another one of Chicago’s venerable championship tests and the heavy dose of wedges involved in them. There’s great praise for an outrageous Viktor Hovland closing nine, his “leap” year, and his amusing if unenthusiastic quote about the coming week in Atlanta. There’s a lengthy discussion on the Sepptic Tank, the group of superfans in t-shirts with that moniker, and his valiant fight to get into the Tour Championship and nearly knock out just a guy in the process. There’s also plenty more confusion over the FEC standings and the constant shuffling on the various cut lines. There’s a follow-up on Michael Block’s course record round at Valhalla, with some disturbing allegations and a spirited defense from sources inside the round, and from this podcast as well. The Ryder Cup auto-qualifiers are discussed, with Koepka getting bounced at the last second, and what it means for the captain’s picks. There is ample praise for Nick Dunlap’s U.S. Am win and a question about how soon he should turn pro. The KFT finals are also set up and debated, as well as Alexa Pano’s first win over in Europe. Finally, they close with Walker Cup and Solheim Cup roster news to follow-up on the earlier Ryder Cup debate -- a month of team match play draws nigh!

With both Andy and Brendan on the road with substandard WiFi and equipment, this episode is a ramble between travel tales and some golf odds and ends to get us to the weekend. Andy has some scuttlebutt from Chicago and a few notes from his day walking around the BMW Championship at Olympia Fields. Then, a whiparound segment hits on the hideous Ryder Cup uniforms, Epson Tour product placement, TaylorMade’s absurd luxury resort, and Michael Block’s course-record setting round at Valhalla on a “scouting” trip some 10 months before the PGA. There’s also some discussion on LIV planning for a transfer and trade deadline for next season. They close it out with some SGS Golf Advice on a Chicago liquor, bringing your own cart, and a wedding conflict during a prestigious Mid-Am competition.

This Wednesday episode begins with news that the BMW Championship will be going to the great Western frontier of Liberty National in a few years. Andy and Brendan react to the upcoming rota for this former Western Open, as well as news that hats are being sold in the merch tent claiming this history while also shattering it. Schedule for the week is a ramble all over the place, including some of the bubble boys who could help or hurt their Ryder Cup causes here late in the game. Also, is Matt Fitzpatrick struggling from Fitz Confusion. There’s also one bubble boy nominee who could provide some of the best messaging the PGA Tour could use right about now. Some Luke Donald comments on the prospects of Ludvig Aberg also triggers a quick side chat on European Ryder Cup prospects. There’s some U.S. Am chatter from Denver, which earns event of the week honors -- surprisingly the Champions Tour event in Calgary did not get it.

Both Andy and Brendan are worse for the wear after some travel -- one by air, the other by sea -- but they quickly realize it could have been worse. It could have been Memphis, where the heat index was 110 and showing on Lucas Glover’s pants. There’s praise for Glover and this incredible run that was the quickest visit ever to the Pancake Zone and may just land him on the Ryder Cup team. One host is trying to put him in “lock” territory. They also discuss Playoff Pat, CBS staying with coverage late into 60 minutes, the Tour’s new playoffs slogan, and the long putter. On the LPGA, they marvel at Lilia Vu’s season bookend major championships, and new No. 1 in the world ranking. There are some great Alejandro Tosti stories and facts in the recap of the KFT event. They discuss Phil’s run at LIV Bedminster, as well as the Women’s Am at Bel-Air to round out the busy weekend in golf.

It’s Friday! Andy and Brendan close out the week with a meandering mess of an episode. There’s anger, amusement, and multiple technical issues with one mic too loud and another’s airpods malfunctioning. They start with a happy birthday for a special young listener but then get to less happy matters: a gray, gloomy, soggy, humid preferred lies start to the Playoffs in Memphis. This brings up another playoffs venue chat, and some unintended shots at a great American city, but not golf course. They discuss Jay Monahan’s press session, the pressure to get a deal done by the end of the year, and the ongoing employee drama back at HQ. Then they get to the published excerpt of Billy Walters’s book on Phil Mickelson and his extreme gambling habit, as well as the revelation that he wanted to bet on a Ryder Cup he was in. What are the next questions, if any, that should come from this apparent uncontrollable urge to wager that Phil once had? Lastly, they close with SGS Golf Advice on a horrible first date taking place on the course, and how that may be the best place to draw out the red flags in a potential mate.

Andy is back for this lively Wednesday episode with Brendan. He brings some tales from Will’s wedding and his travels, and has a few clean-up thoughts on the valiant JT push for the playoffs, long putters, and other items from Sunday’s regular season finale. But then it’s on to the matters at hand, beginning with some late Tuesday news that a major PGA Tour executive has resigned. Then they get to the PGA Tour press release of its 2024 schedule, going line by line, or almost, over the official language and inserting their own commentary on some of the new swings, cohort names, and overall changes. Then they get to the schedule for this week, beginning with the last major of the year over in England, the new and improved first leg of hte Playoffs, and a dynamite setup for the U.S. Women’s Amateur. There’s quite a bit of a praise for the real stakes in Memphis and what it might trigger for someone’s 2024 and career. Lastly, they close with news that the PGA is not down with the rollback or MLR.

It was yet another eventful weekend in golf with the Playoffs drawing nigh and seasons ending in Greensboro at the Wyndham Championship. Brendan is joined by Joseph LaMagna to break down all the drama from the PGA Tour finale and the potential Ryder Cup implications but first … the Thicc Boi! They begin with Bryson DeChambeau, his incredible 58 at LIV Greenbrier, if there’s an asterisk for preferred lies, and his self-correcting Krank driver that he alluded to in a staggering quote. There’s plenty of praise for the Thicc Boi, his insights on going super low, his run of form and if he’s a better option for the Ryder Cup than Justin Thomas, who missed the FedExCup Playoffs by one spot in Greensboro. Joseph and Brendan run down the list of Ryder Cup options and where JT might slot and if “deserve” has anything to do with it. Who’s on the team now and are we all overreacting to small samples? They also discuss Lucas Glover, his win, his long putter, and his spicy comments on the new PGA Tour cutoffs and signature events. The notion of “bad breaks” for Russ Henley is also disposed of and they close with some thoughts on a journeyman player trying to “hack” the AON Risk-Reward Challenge for that bonus $1 million.

Andy and Brendan close out the week with a planned Summer Friday hours episode that is prolonged with general sports talk and exhaustion. They begin with a Golfweek report on the 2024 schedule that is to be officially announced by the PGA Tour next week, or supposed to be. They react to the new term “Signature” events replacing Designated events, Pebble Beach getting that status, and the mishmash of some keeping cuts while others doing away with them. There’s a lament about the Olympics impact again as well as the loss of connection with these constant name changes. The second half of the podcast answers some Golf Advice emails on a Dynapower reward and hitting into a photo shoot at the Dallas Cowboys Golf Course.

It’s the final week of the regular season, and what better way to cap off this year of discontent than yet another shake-up at the PGA Tour. This time, it comes in the form of the players pushing back on the middle-of-the-night dealing that three suits conducted to change the future of their tour. Tiger Woods will be getting a newly created board seat that will give more power to the players on that board than the independent directors. Andy and Brendan discuss the details of these changes, what it means for Jay Monahan, the Framework Agreement, and how it’s all starting to get a little exhausting. Schedule for the week checks in on the Wyndham Championship, where Wyndham Clark is a no-show along with the rest of the Comcast Top 10. News hits on some Jon Rahm comments that it is a criminal a top 150 Tour player can lose money in a year, with a quick exercise running through some of the money lists to check on that claim.

Brendan is back and he returns to an Andy podcasting not at 100 percent after eating too much at dinner. This episode is a ramble that covers all manner of important and inane golf topics, and several non-golf subjects like vacation, the show Shark Tank, and Burmese food. They begin with some thoughts on the Sticky Note Classic that quickly transitions to a Senior Open recap. Andy has had enough with the Paddy RC talk, Brendan has Woosie empathy, and they both have delight in the absolutely brutal conditions. At the 3M Open, they discuss JT’s MC and Finau’s T7, and how we weight each. There’s great anger over FedExCup standings updates lagging. There’s praise for Lee Hodges, and some clarification on all the strawman J.T. Poston catnip about his going for the green. On the KFT recap, they discuss the Barstool broadcast of the Chicago event. News hits on the Jay memo a bit more and the outrageous decision by Carlota Ciganda do DQ herself rather than take a slow play penalty.

CBS Sports' Kyle Porter joins Andy Johnson with Brendan Porath on vacation. The two start off discussing Kyle's aversion to sandals and potential solutions before diving into the recent Jay Monahan Memo to PGA Tour players. In the memo there is some clarity to how the Tour will bring together the Tour players and LIV players and Kyle wonders if LIV will keep going. Then a large conversation about the Tour's stance against the MLR ball rollback is discussed at length. The podcast ends with some SGS Golf Advice which includes a golf celebrity encouter, a sore loser and a tournament result in question. Today's sponsors are AG1 and Oars And Alps, find more information about each at the websites below: www.drinkag1.com/shotgun www.oarsandalps.com/friedegg Promo code: Egg15

Brendan is at the beach with family, covered in sand and Oars & Alps sunscreen, and looking for a break from the “vacation.” And Andy is ebullient about getting a new couch. So this is a punchy episode on a range of subjects -- the field list at the 3M Open including the scion of a Dockers enthusiast, as well as some bigger names grinding to make an improved playoffs cutoff. That includes Justin Thomas, who is covered in some detail vis-a-vis the Ryder Cup. The two majors, the Senior Open and Evian, are also covered tersely with some critique for Champions Tour golf given Steve Stricker and Stew Cink are just no-showing. The U.S. Junior is given “ECCO event of the week,” with some questions about what actually constitutes a “junior” given that some full-blown college players are in the field. There’s also an “All-Name Team” from that event. There’s a lot of yelling about a little Courier Cup points bylaw that has jammed Akshay Bhatia from being in a proper spot on the points list. News hits on a report that the much-hyped 17th hole at Royal Liverpool, “Wee Eye,” will be “blown up” and made much fairer.