The Shotgun Start

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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