The Shotgun Start

This Friday episode begins with some questions on who asked for a Robert Allenby image rehabilitation tour. Then Brendan and Andy get to the latest on LIV, notably Westy Island sinking into the sea (this was recorded PRE-SERGIO, which will be addressed on Monday). There’s also a discussion of the weird PGL memo that was sent out to the world. Andy has some thoughts on Matt Wolff’s struggles and first-round lead at TPC Potomac. Then they’re joined by Shane Ryan, whose book on the Ryder Cup will come out next week (pre-order here). They get into a wide range of interesting and amusing topics related to the matches, from its future prospects, the PGA Tour getting involved on the Euro side via the strategic alliance, Phil’s bencing at Whistling Straits, and some of the biggest surprises in researching and writing the book. Thanks to Shane for his time.

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This Wednesday episode begins with some Andy and Brendan notes from their day at The Country Club in Brookline, site of this June’s U.S. Open. They discuss the tee sheet snafu that left Andy without a home, and relay a mini-primer about the course and how it might show for the national championship. There’s a potential big flagstick energy dilemma for the USGA. Then it’s on to the shhhedule for the week, which prompts a take on the self-contradictions of Rory McIlroy and his new contract extension with his equipment manufacturer. News closes with Greg Norman talking about the immediate damage Phil Mickelson’s comments did to the imminent launch plans for the Saudi league back in February.

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It’s a first-of-the-month recording, which immediately puts Andy in a good mood for this Monday recap. First, however, Brendan begins with a Sunday morning wake-up to golf facts being shared far and wide. This time, there’s an accusation that the PGA, Southern Hills, and Tiger are in cahoots to make it an inequitable major championship. This leads to a somewhat more serious discussion about the post-Masters “Now what?” part of Tiger’s comeback and how competitive he might be. Then it’s on to results from the weekend, starting with the LPGA event at Palos Verdes, hitting on Marina Alex’s victory, Lydia Ko’s amusing honesty, and the course. On the PGA Tour, they praise the setup guys as well as Jon Rahm, who did not have his best stuff but scratched out a W against a super stinky field in Mexico.

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This Friday episode begins with new video of Phil Mickelson surfacing, and the close inspection of it that followed and what that might have yielded about his playing plans and fitness. This dovetails into a chat about reports he’s signed on for all 8 LIV Golf events, and if his career is forever debased by the potential legal fight that might come. That transitions into a dissection of more details about the Liv plans, including some horrible marketing slogans on their website and highly-priced ticket packages for events the details of which remain quite scant. There’s also a review of the near driving range fight between Kevin Na and Grayson Murray, with a separate plea for Na to be thrown off the tour. Flashback Friday focuses on the catnip of the week, Jesper Parnevik’s new look, recalling some of his great successes and eccentricities, like eating volcanic sand, during his rise in the 90s. It features several amusing Jesper quotes about his process.

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This Wednesday episode is full of pep, beginning with a concern Brendan raises about Andy using a ridiculous peppy phrase in an email, which prompts an even more ridiculous explanation for the use of said phrase. Then they move to signs of life from Phil Mickelson, whose agent released a statement about keeping “options open” for two upcoming majors and one Saudi event. They discuss the sadness of this denouement and what the rest of his career could look like. Then it’s on to LIV golf, which apparently has 15 top 100 players committed to their opening event in London. But the segment is more about how the entire operation, save for funding, is just a sh*tshow that’s hard to get excited about right now and what a blown opportunity it feels like. They also banter about the finale of this year’s LIV schedule reportedly going to Trump Doral. Schedule for the week closes out this episode, with some cool intel on the LPGA venue and less enthusiasm for a crappy field in Mexico on the PGA Tour.

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Brendan returns for this Monday episode, which begins with a quick popping of the Zurich Classic before diving into an extended debate about the resume of Xander Schauffele, who added a two-man victory to that CV on Sunday. Some Billy quotes about wind in NOLA are also put up for further examination. Nasa Hataoka’s runaway win in LA is duly praised, while Pablo Larrazabal’s victory is examined vis-a-vis the Coetzee Zone. On the Champions Tour, the Club Corp Classic, where Tony Romo played as a celebrity, is discussed. Also, that title sponsor’s rebrand into something called “Invited” is reviewed before news hits on Greg Norman announcing an intention to play The Open at St. Andrews.

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No Laying Up's DJ Piehowski joins the pod to fill in for Brendan who remains on vacation both physically and mentally. DJ and Andy discuss the Zurich and how it kind of stinks. DJ does point out the trace back to Zurich's decision to implement walk up music and the game of golf's explosive growth since. Andy then gets into the walk up music selections for 2022. Enjoy, Brendan hopefully will be back on Monday and thank you again to DJ Pie for his time and patience. 

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With Brendan on vacation, the PGA Tour’s lead editor Sean Martin joins Andy to discuss the week in golf. The two start with a rousing conversation on Sean’s parenting tactics before getting into the Zurich Classic and the notable pairings. They then can't resist having a lengthy discussion of Ben An and Carl Yuan and how certain teams may have come together. The conversation then turns to the LPGA Tour's Los Angeles swing before settling on Trevor Immelman’s assistant captain picks for the Presidents Cup. Thank you to Sean for filling in for the big guy.

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Andy and Brendan are back on the horse! This Monday episode is slightly delayed, but it’s here and what it lacks in substance, it makes up for in amusement, hopefully. They begin with many thoughts on Jordan Spieth, the win at Harbour Town, his resume, and some ridiculous comps to Hall of Famers, both good and bad. Other Heritage thoughts revolve around Dylan Frittelli’s penalty for hitting a ball out of the trees and enhanced scrutiny on Patrick Cantlay. The results segment leads us down the path of discovery on KFT pro Pontus Nyholm, now nicknamed the Pontoon Boat. News hits on Bryson’s surgery, the Shark “chumming” the waters for LIV with some highly-ranked amateurs, and DL3 letting it slip that Phil may now be on the sidelines for the Bethpage Ryder Cup captaincy.

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This Wednesday episode was delayed as Andy and Brendan get back from Augusta trying to pick up the pieces, which Andy is still in the process of doing. So Kyle Porter of CBS joins to add some of his perspective from his week on the ground at Augusta National, focusing on the winner, runner-up, Tiger, and other odds and ends from his notebook. Then they get to the shhhedule for the week, where Kyle saddles Andy with a one-and-done pick and there’s an amusing tale about Kyle not getting to play Pasatiempo, site of this week’s Western Intercollegiate. They close with news, which is on the Shark, Greg Norman, resurfacing with more comments about his impending league and the report of five committed names, including Bubba Watson.

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