Ever wonder what it takes to run one of the fastest and most elite teams on the planet? On this episode of Golf Underground, the crew welcomes Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing and a true master of speed, sales, and strategy. From chasing Mickey Mantle as a kid to leading a 1,000-person Formula 1 operation, Zak breaks down the mental grind of racing, what separates winners from losers, how to build a culture that elite drivers want to be part of—and how AI, tire tricks, and track-day politics all factor into the future of F1.

If you think golf is tough, wait until you hear what goes down on the pit wall.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Zak Brown shares how a childhood obsession with Mickey Mantle turned into a global racing empire.

• The crew cracks up as Zak tells how he dodged trouble and found racing through "the long way around."

• Zak reveals the behind-the-scenes pressure of leading McLaren’s 1,000-person Formula 1 operation.

• AI, tire data, and driver instincts collide in a conversation about how F1 teams win—or completely blow it.

• Zak and Wardo compare the egos of F1 drivers to pro athletes in other sports, and it gets spicy.

• George Brett wants to know if there’s such a thing as cheating in F1—Zak’s answer doesn’t disappoint.

• Brian Sullivan digs into leadership: how Zak handles high-performance people under pressure.

• Zak drops his golf game stat line—including the story behind the best par he’s ever made.

• The crew dives into Drive to Survive, McLaren’s media rise, and whether F1 fame helps or hurts performance.
• Final lightning round: Zak faces the Golf Underground Emergency 9 with answers that cover fantasy baseball, leadership, and vintage cars.

• "The best teams don’t just hire smart people—they build cultures winners want to join." – Zak Brown

• "If you take one second off mentally in a race car, you're in the wall." – Zak Brown

• "We’re not guessing out here—Formula 1 is a thousand-person operation." – Zak Brown

• "AI can’t measure guts. Not yet." – Zak Brown

• "Winning used to be about money. Now it’s about people." – Zak Brown

• "In motorsports, you beg for forgiveness, not ask for permission." – Zak Brown

• "I shot 92 today, but I also made the best par of my life." – Zak Brown

• "Drivers aren’t just athletes—they’re pilots, boxers, and chess masters in one." – Zak Brown

• "The best leaders know when to put an arm around the shoulder—and when to kick some ass." – Zak Brown

• "You're running a Formula 1 team, and still managing a fantasy baseball roster? That’s elite multitasking." – Brian Sullivan

• "You get more tech in a race car than a spaceship, and still, some guy will blow it on tire strategy." – Kevin Ward

• "Zak’s out here leading McLaren and still remembers every stat from Mickey Mantle—respect." – George Brett

  
  

About Zak

Zak Brown is CEO of McLaren Racing, a position to which he was appointed in April 2018 after joining McLaren in November 2016 as Executive Director of McLaren Technology Group. In his role, Zak has overall responsibility for the McLaren Racing organisation, including the strategic direction, operational performance, marketing and commercial development of the McLaren Formula 1 and IndyCar programmes. After a professional racing career in the US and Europe, Zak founded the agency JMI in 1995, which grew to become the largest motorsport marketing agency in the world and was acquired by Chime Communications PLC in 2013 as part of its sports marketing division, CSM. Brown was appointed the company's Chief Executive Officer before joining McLaren. Zak is chairman and co-owner of United Autosports and was a board member of Cosworth Engineering and non-executive chairman of the Motorsport Network. Born and raised in California, Zak lives with his family near McLaren in Surrey, UK.

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What’s it really like being a PGA Tour player during Golf Masters Week?

In this episode of Golf Underground, PGA Tour pro Justin Lower takes you behind the scenes of one of golf’s biggest weeks. The golf Masters Tournament is one of the four men’s major championships in professional golf, kicking off the season each April. Justin shares the mental and physical grind of tour life, the prep that separates winners, and what really goes down during this iconic tournament. George Brett drops bombs (both on and off the tee), while Wade, Wardo, and Sully bring the locker room laughs. From taping your mouth shut mid-tournament to TrackMan obsessions and LIV Golf hot takes—this episode is a must-listen.

Tune in and get a peek at the underground side of pro golf!

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• "The best players make adjustments, not excuses." – Brian Sullivan

• "Mentally, it’s a grind out here—and the scoreboard doesn’t show that." – Justin Lower

• "I don’t play out of divots. I play golf to have fun, not suffer." – George Brett

• "Grinding to make a cut is ten times harder than finishing last." – Wade Binfield

• "You either show up ready, or you get exposed. That’s pro golf." – Justin Lower

• "Rory’s playing his best golf—but Augusta brings out the ghosts." – Justin Lower

• "There’s Tour A and Tour B… and I’m dragging five bags through airports on Tour B." – Justin Lower

• "We all think we can win ten times a year—then reality smacks you in the face." – Justin Lower

• "I saw the shot, dropped it, and said screw it—let’s hit the punch." – Justin Lower

• "If you're riding the emotional rollercoaster out here, you’re toast by September." – Wade Binfield

  
  

About Justin

Justin Lower, Malone University’s most decorated men's golfer, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. A 4x NAIA All-American and 4x NCCAA All-American, Lower racked up 16 tournament wins, including a career-low 64, which still stands as a Malone record. His 71.0 season scoring average in 2011 is the best in school history. Lower’s career includes prestigious honors such as the Arnold Palmer NAIA Medalist, Jack Nicklaus NAIA MVP, and David Toms GCAA Award. After earning a degree in sports management, he secured his PGA TOUR card with a 15th-place finish at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship in 2021. Currently, he lives in Uniontown with his wife Janise and dog Darby.

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What separates the good from the great? How do elite athletes handle failure and bounce back stronger? And what lessons from the pros can we apply to our own game?

On this episode of Golf Underground, George, Sully, and Wardo take you inside the mind of champions—whether on the golf course, the baseball field, or in everyday life. With stories from George’s legendary career and insights from some of the best competitors in the game, this episode is a masterclass in what it takes to perform under pressure, stay mentally sharp, and keep that competitive fire burning long after the final whistle. Tune in as the guys dive deep into the mindset of winners, sharing stories, laughs, and hard-earned wisdom along the way.

🎧 Listen now and take your competitive edge to the next level!

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• George shares his early struggles with golf and what kept him coming back.
• The surprising connection between baseball and the mental side of golf.
• Why nerves are a good thing—and how to use them to your advantage.
• Sully and Wardo discuss what keeps sports, business, and life alike.

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In this episode of Golf Underground, Scotty and Sully sit down with Adam Adkins, former Michigan football star and CEO of Caerus Strength. Adam shares stories from his days as a Big Ten athlete, including being part of the legendary 1997 National Championship team, and how the lessons he learned on the field shaped his career as an inventor and entrepreneur.

We dive into Adam’s journey from sports to business, the creation of his innovative Caerus Strength Trainer, and the challenges of bringing a game-changing fitness product to market. Plus, Adam reveals the funniest moments from the locker room, his go-to golf club, and his vision for making fitness accessible to everyone.

Whether you’re a sports fan, an aspiring entrepreneur, or just love a great story, this episode has it all! Tune in for 45 minutes of inspiration, humor, and insight.

Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen!

For this episode of Golf Underground, Wardo, Sully, and George Brett dive deep into the MLB playoffs, offering listeners an exclusive, insider look at what happens inside the locker room during playoff season. 

George shares stories from his time with the Kansas City Royals, comparing today’s playoff dynamics to his era and breaking down the Royals’ 2024 playoff series. 

We also spotlight PGA Tour Pro Gary Woodland's exciting resurgence and celebrate Wardo's recent win at the Open Match Play Championship. 

Whether you’re a fan of baseball, golf, or just love sports stories, this episode brings the energy and insights you don’t want to miss.

#GolfUnderground #MLBPlayoffs #Royals2024 #GaryWoodland #OpenMatchPlay

Wardo, Sully and George Brett talk with Kansas Golf Foundation Executive Director Wendi Brandt about the amazing careers of Kansas Hall of Fame Golfers Gary Woodland, Woody Austin and Matt Gogel.

Join Us on Oct 7 and Meet these Stars on a special night!

The Kansas Golf Foundation is looking forward to inducting Woody Austin, Matt Gogel, and Gary Woodland into the Kansas Golf Hall of Fame and you can be a part of it.

To purchase your tickets, go to: https://kansasgolffoundation.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/kansasgolffoundation/event.jsp?event=523&

#kansasgolfhalloffame #kansasgolffoundation #kansasjuniorgolfscholars #KWGAMS #growingthegame #supportingjrgolfinkansas

Join us on the Golf Underground Podcast as we sit down with NFL broadcaster and former player Trent Green. Dive into an engaging discussion about the eagerly anticipated upcoming NFL season and uncover insights from behind the scenes.

Trent, alongside golf enthusiast George Brett, also shares some of his favorite golf courses, providing a perfect blend of football fervor and golfing gems. Get an insider's look at life in the NFL locker room and learn what it takes to succeed as a CBS broadcaster.

Whether you're a football fan, a golf aficionado, or someone who appreciates the intricacies of sports broadcasting, this episode offers something for everyone.

#GolfUnderground #NFLSeason #TrentGreen #GeorgeBrett #GolfCourses #CBSBroadcasting #LockerRoomStories #NFLtoGolf

Join Wardo, Sully and George Brett on the Golf Underground Podcast for an exclusive British Open preview with special guest Drew Hinesley, former caddie for Bryson DeChambeau and NBC personality.

In this episode, we dive deep into the challenges that Royal Troon will present to the world's top golfers.

Drew shares his expert insights on what it will take for Bryson to clinch the title, and we make our own predictions on who will emerge victorious.

Tune in for an engaging discussion on the contenders, the course, and much more!

#GolfUnderground #BritishOpen #RoyalTroon #BrysonDeChambeau #GolfPodcast #GolfPredictions #DrewHinesley #GolfInsights #OpenChampionship

In this exciting episode of Golf Underground, we sit down with golf legend Tom Watson to discuss his innovative program, Watson Links. This initiative bridges the gap from driving range lessons to real golf course play for young golfers aged 10 to 18. Tom shares how Watson Links pairs junior golfers with adult mentors for free rounds of golf, focusing on skill development, course etiquette, and life lessons.

We also chat with DP World Tour player Chase Hanna about his inspiring journey on tour, accompanied by his wife Hannah as his dedicated caddy. Chase gives us an inside look into the dynamics of their partnership on the road and on the course.

Finally, we talk to Watson Challenge winner Robert Russell, who shares his insights on what it takes to be a champion in the competitive world of golf.

Join us for an episode filled with inspiration, mentorship, and the love of the game. Tune in to Golf Underground on Spotify for this and more!

#tomwatson #adventhealth #PGA #kornferrytour

Join Wardo, Sully, and George on this week's riveting episode of "Golf Underground" as we swing through an engaging chat with Skylar Thompson, quarterback for the Miami Dolphins. This episode, we're not just teeing off with a Masters preview, but diving deep into personal stories from football, family, and the fairway. Listen as Skylar shares his journey from a multi-sport childhood to the professional gridiron, a path influenced by a coaching legacy that fostered his love for the game.

Tune in for a play-by-play on the nuances of athletic recruitment, quarterback training, and the ever-evolving landscape of football. Discover how Skylar, a Kansas City transplant, embraced K-State's football culture and tackled the complexities of college commitments. We'll explore the precision and mental fortitude required in both golf and football, and how discipline transfers from the turf to the green. Hear about the intricacies of NFL play-calling, the importance of team chemistry, and Skylar's personal insights into his transition to the Miami Dolphins, while also drawing parallels between golf and football.

We’ll lighten the mood by discussing golf technique challenges, bonding over virtual fairways with a golf simulator, and sharing pre-game rituals that unite athletes. Imagine the pressure of teeing up in front of a crowd when you're used to the roar of a stadium – our guests relate to those nerve-racking moments and the camaraderie found in shared experiences.

"Golf Underground" is your all-access pass to understanding the intersection of golf and football, where championship spirits and leisure meet.

#GolfUnderground #SkylarThompson #MiamiDolphins #NFL #Golf #Football #AthleteStories #SportsPodcast #QuarterbackJourney #TeamChemistry #KansasCitySports #MastersPreview #QuarterbackTraining #AthleticRecruitment #Sportsmanship