The Shotgun Start

This bubbly Wednesday episode begins with delight of a 2/2/22 recording. There’s ample talk about the Pebble Beach Pro Am, which is wounded but not dead. There’s a simple suggestion for improving Spyglass, and an amazing reader email on the winding path to Ryuji Imada getting in this field with just one start in an OWGR event in the past five years. There are two candidates for catnip call of the week, one of which focuses on an old friend of the program. Then they discuss the big Asian Tour event in Saudi Arabia, reacting to Greg Norman’s comments and the still dearth of details on an upcoming schedule. News focuses on Ian Poulter reportedly getting a big offer from the Saudis, and the common thread between both the people behind this effort and the players we’ve heard are interested so far. There’s also a fun story about home building at the site of a course just announced as a host venue for two USGA championships.

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It’s an early and worse for the wear recording for Andy and Brendan, who begin with the Saturday night finish on the PGA Tour. They discuss the husky victor and his breakthrough win. Then they move to the incredible skill of Will Zalatoris, and the incredible thrill of watching him try to hit a putt on the center of the face. There’s also a victory lap on the Jason Day pick, and some final thoughts on the schedule change to Saturday. On the Euro Tour, they ponder the different points Hovland and Rory are at in their careers with different sets of expectations. Rory’s play into the 18th gets ample critique while Hovland’s current run gets ample praise.

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Can we interest you in a double-scoop Flashback Friday on two people who probably could not have led more different lives? That’s right, this episode closes with a look back at the histories of heavyweight champ Joe Louis and the one and only Jay Don Blake at what is now known as the Farmers Insurance Open. But first, there’s ample discussion on the already-completed 36 holes in San Diego, with news of Bryson shattering car windows with beefy bombs on the driving range. There’s concern about his injury and what it might mean for his Saudi commitments next week. “Schenk Facts” becomes a segment. Blonde Brooksy wins thristbucket of the week on an early call. There are some harsh words about a few MCs, notably Rickie getting sloppy and tanking it at the end. On the LPGA, there’s a mild rant about superfluous stats. Also, the Matt and Ryan era continues at Halas Hall, so that gets discussed. 

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It’s a Wednesday Jr. edition with this week’s PGA Tour event moving up a day, which, to be clear, was not by choice but rather the NFL putting their thumb on the scale and telling everyone to move out of the way. Andy and Brendan discuss the moving pieces around this schedule change and what it meant for events around the Torrey stop, both abroad and at home. One and done picks go heavy on a couple Aussies, with some insider tips for your gambling needs. The discussion on this week’s Euro Tour event devolves into an unexpected campaign for a longshot Ryder Cup captain, as well as the “Catnip Call of the Week.” There’s also a chat on the APGA event getting a nationally televised broadcast this weekend. News closes with some amusing reaction to Frugal Frittelli carrying a $4,000 wedge in his bag.

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It’s victory Monday for Andy, who’s happy about Illinois’ own Thomas Pieters getting it done in Abu Dhabi as well as the Packers not getting it done in Lambeau. Grayson Allen, on the other hand, is a source of outrage. In golf, they begin with that Euro Tour event in the desert, assessing Pieters’ arc, the new course setup, and Hatton’s heated words on the 18th hole needing to be blown up. At the other desert event, the Amex, they praise Hudson Swafford and weight Jon Rahm’s cussin’ outburst about the tourney being nothing more than a “putting contest.” At the LPGA event, they ponder real or fake winter in Orlando having an impact specifically on Danielle Kang’s ability to win. There’s also an old man rant about the volume of the music playing at the 18th hole. They close with a nod to both young and old winners at the Latin America Am and on the Champions Tour.

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This Friday episode begins with some tales of Andy’s travels behind enemy lines at the end of this week. Then it’s on to the one result we already have in the bank, Akshay Bhatia’s victory on the KFT. Brendan and Andy discuss Bhatia’s path, why it made sense, and how we could see much more of it coming down the pike. On the DP World Tour, they praise the windy conditions and wild humps and bumps of the YASSSSS links. The AmEx discussion gets into Patrick Cantlay, and whether he’s at the level where only work at the majors is what’s left when it comes to amplifying his status in the game. The Senior Tour chatter ponders the “clean living spectrum” and why there’s ROY award. They close with multiple Precision Pro Flashback Fridays, first on the origin story of the Bob Hope Classic, and second, on the catnip of Casey Martin’s first PGA Tour event as a member.

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This Wednesday episode begins with an apology from Brendan after a frazzled recording on Monday led to an oversight or two. Then it’s on to discussing the ongoing Korn Ferry Tour event, which can’t be watched and might be hard to find scores on given website problems at the global home. Then it’s on to the schedule of the week, which begins with an odd digression on the 2016 Abu Dhabi event. Then it’s back to Palm Springs and the AmEx, which leads to discussions on the new featured groups rollout and a Catnip Call of the Week focused on a big boy from the land of Coetzee. Michelle Wie West’s return to the Tournament of Champions is highlighted on the LPGA side, while the field and new course in Abu Dhabi is covered on the Euro or DP World side. They close with news on some provocative comments from Monty on the state of the modern game and the new list of names on the PAC.

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This holiday Monday episode reacts to what will likely be one of the best finishes of the year on the PGA Tour, as Hideki chased down Henley at the Sony Open. They discuss the total turnaround for Hideki in the last calendar year, Japan’s lineage at this event, and  the catnip moments down the stretch. Andy praises the variety of players that continually emerge at this venue while Brendan praises the event’s self-confidence when it comes to identity. The Grayson Murray and Kevin Na beef is also dissected, with harsh critiques for all involved. News hits on Bryson’s reason for not doing the new Netflix show.

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Paul Martin of Box to Box Films and the executive producer of Netflix’s “Drive to Survive” and Chad Mumm, Head of Entertainment at Vox Media Studios, join to discuss the news that Netflix is doing a series on PGA Tour pros. They are two of the executive producers involved in the project. It was an official announcement that fired up the golf corner of the world (and larger sports world) this week and both Martin and Mumm discuss some of the background of how it came together, what’s been promising so far, assuage concerns about authenticity, and the process of getting both the players and all the men’s major golf orgs, including Augusta National, on board with the series. Andy and Brendan begin the episode with some of their own reactions to the major news and the list of players confirmed, ponder what contretemps or triumph of the past fews years for which they wish the series had existed, and then jump in to chatting with Chad and Paul. Thanks to both for their time.

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This lively Wednesday episode begins with a Chicago sports minute that turns into five or six minutes on the turnover at Halas Hall and the larger cohort of cheapskates that own Chicago teams. Then it’s on to the Sony Open, where Andy and Brendan delight in the field at another one of the great early-year stops. The backboards should return, but softness may as well, mitigating their usage at Waialae. The schedule for the week features the triumphant return of televised golf from Australia, as well as an overnight option in Singapore. You could watch golf all round the clock this week. News concludes with a shakeup in the honorary starters at the Masters and some comments on the loss of Tim Rosaforte.

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It’s a peppy Monday episode celebrating the return of golf in 2022. Andy and Brendan react to Cam Smith’s outrageous play, remarking on his #gainz off the tee and the way he stood out there with Kapalua’s wide fairways to gain an edge on Jon Rahm of all people. They discuss the social media ​​Sturm und Drang around the low scoring, pondering whether there should be an asterisk for the records given preferred lies were in place. The hot mics, Notah’s level, the pace of play, and graphics about Notable winners and “Every Shot Counts” are also discussed. There’s anger about the total confusion over the history of a multitude of PGA Tour events now being called WGC Memphis, with announcers getting crossed up left and right. They close with news on the U.S. Women’s Open purse being bumped significantly and a host of primo venues added as future sites. Before sign off, a couple thoughts on Rickie getting a Hawaii-themed activation off this week.

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This Friday episode is a bite-sized reaction to the first official PGA Tour round of 2022. Andy and Brendan delight in the re-introduction to PGA Tour golf in the new year with a hearty announcement that round one would be played with preferred lies. Then they bounce around with various quick thoughts on what’s transpired so far this week, including the notable enlistment of Patrick Reed with the troops. There are reactions to some of the new graphics, including ESPN+’s humorous attempt to calculate yardages with elevation changes. They close it with a mini Flashback trivia and thoughts on who from the bottom of the board could get hot for three straight days.

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The PGA Tour is back and this Wednesday episode is a rambling discussion focused mostly on the return to golf at Kapalua, one of our favorite annual traditions on tour. Aside from Kapalua, there’s chatter on snow days, Dan Pohl’s golf course, the preferable hemisphere to live in, and taking road trips in complete silence. There is anticipation for ESPN+ joining the fray. There’s a new segment, the “catnip call of the week” and a subject is nominated there that we think you’ll be hearing about this week. There are some tough questions for Xander, Spieth, Phil, Wolff, and others. They also pick apart the term “resort golf” and ponder which player in this field will be the most obscure some 30 years from now. News hits on the breathless reaction to new driver releases, and a bucket of more Saudi commits.

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The Shotgun Start is off and running in 2022 with this Monday episode. Andy and Brendan review some of their New Year’s weekend exploits, and ponder whether the Courier Cup is a better postseason format than the recently maligned CFP. Then they jump into news, which is mostly a discussion about the PIP confusion provoked by Phil Mickelson’s tweets and conflicting reports last week. Then they jump into a wide-ranging chat on 2022 -- there was no plan for predictions, because guessing major winners in January is silly, but Andy does go on record doling out a major to a certain Northern Irishman before the segment is over. Other things discussed are the major venues, Lexi going side saddle, a Bryson regression, Tiger thoughts, some potential Pres Cuppers making a leap, and the Billy Ho award for SGS breakout star.

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There was never a doubt! The Year in Review concludes with Part 10 covering the Olympics up through the final tournament of the PGA Tour season that doesn’t feature a low net winner. An assignment mix-up leaves a couple events uncovered, but Andy and Brendan pull it together to steer this home and put the “Super Season” to rest. They are incredibly grateful for your continued support of the podcast in 2021, and cannot wait to run it back again in 2022. This is the usual SGS approach to the year in review, focusing more on the amusing, inane, and extraordinary. This year’s series was brought to you by Precision Pro Golf, the official rangefinder of the Shotgun Start

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Hey, the year is rapidly winding down and so is the Year in Review. In this installment, Andy and Brendan pick up with some post U.S. Open fallout, rip through the Travelers, Bryson-Tim split, Phil tweeting at local media, Pat Reed being called to serve, and a full recap The Open, the last men’s major in a super season. The topics range from “This Driver Sucks” to Jerry Kelly and Steve Stricker being included with Giannis in a graphic. This is the usual SGS approach to the year in review, focusing more on the amusing, inane, and extraordinary. We’re just about done, but you can enjoy this month-long rollout at your convenience during the last 10 days of the year. This year’s series is brought to you by Precision Pro Golf, the official rangefinder of the Shotgun Start.

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This peppy Monday episode reacts to the Tiger and Charlie show in Orlando on Sunday. Andy and Brendan begin first with some subtle but notable thirsty maneuvering at the conclusion of play. Then they get into the more important matters about what it all means for Tiger’s future and whether the PNC is a top 10 tour-ish event with the Woods duo in it. There are some comments about watching Charlie stripe it as well, and the reaction to his play on Twitter. Andy posits, and then they debate, where this event now rates in all of golf, both men’s and women’s --  e.g. is it better than every WGC? There’s chatter on the Dalys, and the choice players make to have their kid wear their branded scripting or not. They close with news that the R&A will be revoking its exemption into the Open for the Asian Tour’s order of merit.

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Andy and Brendan close out the week with a PUNCHY Year-in-Review episode covering the stretch from the Kokheads Colonial triumph through “Rahmbo’s” U.S. Open title. There was a bounty of amusements and moments of whimsy from Fort Worth to Memorial to Olympic to Sectional Qualifying to Congaree. They review it all and close it out with the third men’s major of 2021 at Torrey Pines, which provided ample material to laugh at here at the end of the year. This is the usual SGS approach to the year in review, focusing more on the amusing, inane, and extraordinary and it should FINISH over the next week, but can be enjoyed at your convenience during the holiday season. This year’s series is brought to you by Precision Pro Golf, the official rangefinder of the Shotgun Start.

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The three-man weave and the Year in Review roll on, with Kyle Porter author of the recently released book, A Normal Sport, back joining to review the PGA Championship, which the three hosts declare as the best major of the year. But first, Andy provides an appetizer with a recall of the Byron Nelson at TPC Craig T. Nelson Ranch. Then it’s on to a wide-ranging chat of the PGA, from Bryson seeing UFOs at the start of the week to Brendan and Andy on the ground at the end of it. This is the usual SGS approach to the year in review, focusing more on the amusing, inane, and extraordinary and it should FINISH over the next week, but can be enjoyed at your convenience during the holiday season. This year’s series is brought to you by Precision Pro Golf, the official rangefinder of the Shotgun Start.

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It’s a three-man weave for the latest installment of the Year in Review, with Kyle Porter of CBS and author of the recently released book, A Normal Sport, joining to review the post-Masters stretch of the schedule. Andy picks it up with the RBC Heritage and the comical range modifications to try and capture Bryson’s drives. This portion runs through the “driving range golf” of the Wells Fargo Championship, which includes the re-emergence of the disruptor leagues and the Walker Cup stomach bug catastrophe. This is the usual SGS approach to the year in review, focusing more on the amusing, inane, and extraordinary and it will continue to roll out over the next week to be enjoyed at your convenience during the holiday season. This year’s series is brought to you by Precision Pro Golf, the official rangefinder of the Shotgun Start.

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The Year in Review continues and this part takes on the 2021 Masters, from Woosie’s valiant bid to make the cut, Ollie’s successful and emotional made cut, the Baton Boy’s tour de force psycho carnival weekend on the featured groups stream on back-to-back days, Bryson’s drives “to Narnia,” and of course, the Hideki show. This is the usual SGS approach to the year in review, focusing more on the amusing, inane, and extraordinary and it will continue to roll out over the next week to be enjoyed at your convenience during the holiday season. This year’s series is brought to you by Precision Pro Golf, the official rangefinder of the Shotgun Start.

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We interrupt the Year In Review for a Monday episode that reacts to the Hero happenings down in the Bahamas. Andy and Brendan discuss some of the chipping struggles and challenges that we witnessed on Sunday at Albany, and how it put even some Bermuda aces, like Sam Burns, in a blender, and what that says about overall setups. Then they get on to the winner, Viktor Hovland, and whether this victory is indicative of anything at all, e.g. a 2014-style Spieth preview of what’s to come. They also discuss Morikawa going on tilt as well as Stenson and Spieth somehow hitting off the wrong tee box. Then it’s on to Tiger, the several scenes of him taking full swings throughout the weekend, and indications or expectations that he will tee it up in the PNC. They provide their reactions to that, and what might animate his golf life going forward.

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The Year in Review continues with the GOLD STANDARD, a “big event,” the purest test in golf, and the leadoff hitter in the Season of Championships. The 2021 Players was a carnival of the absurd and dramatic, so this trip down memory lane takes some time. Part 4 runs through the WGC Match Play, the Baton Boy’s great triumph. Next week, we will pick up with the Masters and run through the summer. This is the usual SGS approach to the year in review, focusing more on the amusing, inane, and extraordinary and it will continue to roll out over the next week or so in multiple parts to be enjoyed at your convenience during the holiday season. This year’s series is brought to you by Precision Pro Golf, the official rangefinder of the Shotgun Start.

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The Year in Review rolls on, with Part 3 swinging us from the West Coast over to Florida. This part picks up with the succinctly named and amply entertaining World Golf Championship-Workday Championship at The Concession. It ends at … Bay Hill, with a whale of a segment on the Players pushed to Friday. This is the usual SGS approach to the year in review, focusing more on the amusing, inane, and extraordinary and it will continue to roll out over the next week or so in multiple parts to be enjoyed at your convenience during the holiday season. This year’s series is brought to you by Precision Pro Golf, the official rangefinder of the Shotgun Start.

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This late Monday episode was planned as another installment of the Year in Review, but Andy and Brendan could not shut up about some of the recent developments in the world of golf. So they begin with a few comments on Thanksgiving weekend before transitioning to reactions on The Match V. Is hard work never really sleeping with Bryson? They discuss Phil’s work on the mic, and why Brooksy was always a natural for this kind of deal. Then it’s on to Tiger’s first interview since his car accident. They discuss Tiger as a golf guru for Charlie, the joy of just seeing him make an appearance, questions they wish were asked, and the unnecessary timetable guesswork that’s happening. Also, what his statement about not playing the Tour full time anymore might mean for that organization -- speaking of, the Asian Tour lobbed a salvo with the announcement of a lengthy commitment list for the Saudi International next year. Can the Tour do anything to respond and is this list just going to keep growing? Back with more Year in Review Part 3 later this week!

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This Black Friday edition of the Year in Review is a quick companion piece to Wednesday for your Thanksgiving holiday travels, and it’s brought to you by Precision Pro Golf, the official rangefinder of the Shotgun Start. This part picks up with some of the Pat Reed embedded ball-gate fallout, and runs through the Phoenix Open, Pebble Beach, and a wind-delayed Riviera. This is the usual SGS approach to the year in review, focusing more on the amusing, inane, and extraordinary and it will continue to roll out over the next week or so in multiple parts to be enjoyed at your convenience during the holiday season. There is also, if you can believe it or not, a Black Friday sale in the SGS Pro Shop if you’re so inclined.

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The annual Year in Review series is back, and earlier than normal this year thanks to sponsor Precision Pro. This episode begins with some quick comments on reports of the PGA Tour bringing wide-ranging purse increases and other incentives as a counter move to the upstart disruptor leagues. Then it’s on to the Year in Review, beginning with Kapulua, where Bryson was trying not to black out and Pat Reed was wearing non-sponsored GFore apparel. This part runs through Torrey Pines, where Pat Reed was self-adjudicating embedded balls. This is the usual SGS approach to the year in review, focusing more on the amusing, inane, and extraordinary and it will continue to roll out over the next week or so in multiple parts to be enjoyed at your convenience during the holiday season. Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for your support of the podcast!

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This Monday episode is an amusing jaunt through a surprisingly full weekend of golf news. Andy and Brendan begin first with the Tiger Woods swing video, expressing surprise, hope, and context about the commercial aspect of why it was posted. They discuss whether this means we’ll see him playing again soon, or ever. Then they get to Dubai, where Collin Morikawa’s impressive career start continued by becoming the first American to win that season-long contest. They discuss some of the outrageous numbers Morikawa is putting up. There’s also an unexpectedly lengthy chat about Rory, his coach split, what success in November means for someone with his resume, and ripped shirt-gate. On the CME, they marvel at Jin Young Ko’s dominance, her GIR streak, and the state of the women’s game heading into 2022. There are digressions on Lexi, Nelly, and Lydia as well. Talor Gooch is given his due for his breakthrough win before a closing segment on hot driver faces, Brooksy’s new equipment deal, and whether his best golf is behind him.

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We are joined by the estimable Shane Ryan for this Friday episode. Shane is at the RSM Classic this week in Sea Island, and jussssst finished a 40-day sprint writing a much-anticipated Ryder Cup book. We begin first with that project -- the arc and elevator pitch of the book, his overarching takeaways from a decade immersed in the Ryder Cup, what it was like to write in such a short span after the conclusion at Whistling Straits, and one especially despairing moment during that writing process. Then we transition to his view from Sea Island, what he likes about the event that some might argue shouldn’t exist, and what he’s seen this week so far. Shane is also a defender, mild albeit, of the fall series and expounds on what he finds acceptable and endearing about a portion of the schedule that is often an easy target of the misanthropes. Thanks to Shane for the time, and you can preorder his book here.

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This Wednesday episode begins with a tale of Andy claiming he just played golf in the worst weather he’s ever experienced on the course. Then he and Brendan debate and consider the worst day of the week, with a strong argument made for Tuesday. The schedule for the week begins with the RSM Classic, an event with a commendable-enough field full of Georgia Bulldogs. The CME Championship is then discussed, as well as the “remastered” Tiburon course and the general Naples scene. Over on the Euro Tour, it’s the Race to Dubai conclusion, with Collin Morikawa in the driver’s seat and Billy Boy on his heels. The Town Crier was busy making proclamations from the Middle East, calling for a reduction in cards and fewer “handouts” to the rank and file PGA Tour players not doing enough. These comments, and a solution, are discussed in a closing news segment that also features brief asides on Rory’s carbon footprint and his apparent Greg Norman distaste.

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Andy and Brendan are back from the weekend in one piece -- barely, as one host did fall off the back of a moving truck. They begin by talking Houston Open, which goes off into a discussion on how Memorial Park punched back a bit on this field of elite tour pros over the weekend. Jason Kokrak’s winning ways are praised, but there are also questions about whether Golf Saudi might soon get the UPS brown-out treatment as a sponsor. There is also a report from the ground on Brooks himself being briefed on the infamous “Spartan Butters Wedding Theory.” On the LPGA, they begin first with the Lexi Problem after another ghastly putting finish. Lamborghini insurance is also a meaty subject of discussion in the LPGA recap. On the Champions Tour, they hit on the general confusion over who won the Chuck Cup and who won the Chuck Championship and the seniors really throwing their weight around when it came to priority TV coverage.

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This Friday episode begins with some quick discussion around Slugger White joining up with Greg Norman and the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Investments, as well as the European Tour becoming the “DP World Tour” with a 47-event schedule. There’s also a reading of an extremely weird Slugger and Norman moment illustrative of why they might be working together again. Then Andy and Brendan continue on with their Friday guest routine to go decisively off-golf-topic with Ben Rothenberg, a tennis writer for the New York Times, Racquet Magazine, and host of the No Challenges Remaining podcast. It was suggested to them that tennis has many of the same structural and organizational issues, and strengths, that golf currently grapples with and that Ben would be the perfect guest to orient them on that. It’s an interesting and edifying discussion on another sport that should resonate with the golf nut who might know little (or a lot!) about pro tennis.

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Andy is in Brendan’s neck of the woods for this episode and he is plagued by Brendan-levels of execrable wifi, so this one runs short. They begin with a rant about hipster coffee shops that open too late, as well as other breakfast cuisine retailers that maintain peculiar hours. Then it’s on to the schedule for the week, starting with the Houston Open, or the Hewlett Packard Enterprise Houston Open as it’s now known. They discuss some featured groups, Memorial Park conditions, and the hopeful return of rowdy crowds. The blueberry brigade will be back out in full force for the return of the LPGA in the Tampa area. The Schwab Cup finale and Euro Tour descent into Dubai are given a quick nod before the Wifi puts a quick end to this one, but we’re on to Friday.

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This Victory Monday episode begins with an appreciation of Cleveland and Illinois weekend sports success, but not of Bert Bielama’s coaching tactics. Then it’s on to the golf, beginning with Viktor Hovland’s win in Mayakoba for the second straight year. Andy offers some statistical insights into what makes Hovland so good, even in comparison to his elite peers, and where he might fall on the Rahm and Morikawa scale. The world amateur No. 1 Keita Nakajima’s win at the Asia-Pacific Am is reviewed, with praise for both him and that event’s continued run. There’s a deep dive analysis on Steven Alker, winner of the second leg of the Champions Tour playoffs, and just the astounding cash run he’s been on the past 10 weeks. It’s another instance which really pulls the pants down on the Champions Tour. Lastly, they preview the final day of KFT Q-school and express sympathy for Big Mike becoming a content pawn.

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This Friday episode begins with some quick thoughts on the Mayakoba actually not being that bad. Then it’s on to questions from the audience, ranging from dream vehicles, airbnb hacks, caddie stories, parades, pga tour pro skills, highly-rated courses, and much more.

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This hybrid Monday episode delights in a first of the month recording, which prompts both a recap of Halloween and an assessment of November and where it ranks among the month, generally. Then it’s on to a quick recap of the Butterfield, where two shovel boys finished 1-2 and some rookies got some precious points. There’s a larger-picture discussion on golf’s contorting reticence to say something is cheating or that someone cheated. Then it’s on to the schedule for the week, hitting on the World Wide Technologies of Mayakoba and a possible Geronimo reunion. In news, they discuss the new regulations on greens reading books and the enforceability of these commendable regulations. Supplementing our chat on the Saudi news on Friday is more on these leagues that only exist on powerpoint at the moment. The PGL’s continued grasp for headlines with an apparent strategy to try and get friendly with the PGA Tour is discussed, as is the Liv Golf Investments and Asian Tour news. Is there a worse messenger or front man in golf than Greg Norman? Is the Asian Tour maneuver actually a brilliant one? Are any of these leagues ever going to announce a player?

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This Friday episode begins with the news of the week, perhaps month, and perhaps year, that greater movements are afoot with the Saudi Golf League, and that there was a closed-door embargoed pitch to (some hand-selected) press and that the Norman-as-Commissioner announcement is imminent. They discuss who might already be committed, the one large remaining obstacle, and the cohort it will take to make this work. Then there’s some vital mid-first-round check-ins on the Butterfield, where the winds are wreaking havoc. After a restart of Brendan’s abominable wifi, they close with their annual golf-related Halloween costumes segment, an annual favorite in the SGS universe. The laughs close out the week with some obvious and obscure costume ideas for the weekend festivities.

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It’s a light schedule for the week, but that does not mean there’s nothing to talk about on this Wednesday episode of the Shotgun Start. Andy and Brendan begin with a few notes on the East Lake Cup, including if Oklahoma has a recruiting advantage when it comes to burly recruits, like linebackers or QBs preferring a certain school. Then it’s on to the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, which boasts quite possibly the worst field in the history of the PGA Tour. Whether it’s cost of travel, vaccine requirements, or some other reason, it’s not even a full field with alternates dropping like flies. Andy combs the bottom of the field for a quiz game on whether or not a specific player in this field has had a *top 25* on *any* OWGR-eligible tour in the past five years. They ponder some potential SGS favs who could find a little rejuvenation ala Brendon Todd and Brian Gay, the winners here the first two years. It’s 30 minutes or so of laffs, incredulity, and analysis you didn’t know you needed, and may still not need, on the Butterfield Bermuda Championship.

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This delayed Monday episode is full of life, extracting every ounce out of a global golf weekend on multiple tours. But first, there are ample details and discussion on an attempted garage sale at Andy’s house over the weekend. What kind of people show up? Were golf items of note parted with to some uncaring new owner? Then it’s on to the Zozo Championship, where Hideki Matsuyama won in front of his home fans. They discuss the import of that, the extravagant framing of it, the lack of buzz in the U.S. around the event, and why this should be a must-play primetime event on the schedule for the top players. Jin Young Ko’s brilliance is then highlighted, including a discussion on an impactful quote from her about her mental health struggles early this year. Bernhard Langer’s incredible achievement on the Senior Tour is appreciated, but not without multiple shots at the Tour in general, as well as Phil’s grumpiness at the tournament. The Euro Tour’s winner prompts a confession about the functional “utility of kids” after his kid got him unlocked from the bathroom in time to make his tee time. The laughable report about Greg Norman becoming head of the Saudi League is discussed, before a lengthy final segment on Q school players advancing.

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Our Q4 Friday guest series continues with the great Justin Ray, perhaps the only *essential* follow in all of golf twitter. The premise of the chat was for Justin to edify us on some players who made significant improvements, or “leaps,” over the last year. We start with that, but then it quickly bounces around on a bunch of different, and interesting!, topics. We discuss the continued importance of distance, some strokes gained flaws, data walls at the majors, his beloved Houston Astros, the threshold for putting “proficient at Excel” on your resume, and much more. Thanks so much to Justin for his time and enlightening us.

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This Wednesday episode is a quick whip through the schedule for the week, starting with the Zozo Championship on the PGA Tour. Andy laments the no-cut status and the notion that the PGA Tour is sending its worst kind of product to a market that every player should play in during the season. During this discussion, the new Australia event for pros and amateurs is praised, while a larger concern about that historic golf market being somewhat left behind on the greatest pro stages is raised. Also, is Rickie the player with the most to gain from these sleepy fall events, or is it “European Rickie”? The first leg of the Schwab Cup is noted, with defending champ Phil Mickelson in the field. Some “notables” from both KFT and LPGA q-schools are discussed as well, including Dr. Jack’s boy. They close with news on one college player signing with an agency for NIL matters before a technical issue forces an abrupt ending.

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This Monday episode begins by reacting to Rory McIlroy’s rousing weekend in the desert, where he got to 25-under for his 20th PGA Tour victory. Begins is probably the wrong word, because before the Rory chat, there’s ample discussion about some of these ridiculous scores, ample eagles, and the Summit challenge, including Rory’s own comments that the Tour would be happy to give the course back to the members and the owner. There’s a debate on whether a plaque (not necessarily the CJ plaque) is the worst kind of award memento you can receive, even worse than a ribbon? Rickie’s resurgence is also praised as a possible sign of things to come. The coverage catastrophe is given its due, as the SAS Championship and senior circuit gets its moment, the one no one but them wanted. Matty Fitz’s victory in Spain is reviewed, with some side discussion on what Paddy Harrington must be thinking watching two of his players take down trophies on Sunday.

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This Friday episode begins with some reaction to Phil’s indignant tweets about the news of the USGA rule on driver length, and a not-so-subtle threat at his own PGA Tour for adopting it. Then Brendan and Andy are joined by European correspondent for Golf Digest (among many other things), the legendary John Huggan to discuss a variety of topics from across the pond. First, they ask John about his close friendship with and memories of Renton Laidlaw, the voice of the European Tour who died this week. Then they banter on the “strategic alliance” and what it means for the Euro Tour, its players, and its future schedule. Europe’s Ryder Cup future, both the roster and its captains, is discussed. They close with some wildly amusing tales about John’s playing days. There’s plenty of historical and big picture thoughts on the game mixed in as well so many thanks to John for his time.

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This Wednesday episode promptly goes off topic, discussing the “preemptive” rain delay in Chicago, October not being as good as September, and if the rules of golf are actually not that bad compared to the officiating and umpiring conundrums we’re watching every weekend now. Then Brendan and Andy begin with an early news segment, discussing the new USGA local rule limiting driver length to 46 inches and what it means for Tour golf, among others. Then they discuss the PGA Tour bumping the Players purse to $20 million as well as providing essentially a “travel stipend” to the lower rank-and-file members in what’s basically a golf pro union. JR Smith’s first foray into competitive college golf is reviewed, and any and all critiques are addressed. Then it’s on to the schedule for the week, starting with the CJ Cup, which will take place at a new venue in the desert that’s not ‘typical desert golf,’ if such a type even exists. There are 3 things to watch there, and more on the Euro Tour’s return to another “so bad it’s good” venue.

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This punchy Monday episode reacts to a Bears win, a Browns loss, and a healthy serving of worldwide golf over the weekend. Andy and Brendan begin by pondering if the biggest star was not playing on the PGA Tour this week but up with the Seniors, and what that means for both circuits. They discuss Sungjae Im’s win in Vegas and the potential for him to be the best men’s Korean player ever. Adam Schenk somehow becomes the subject of a segment. Rafa Cabrera Bello’s career is put in the crosshairs (that’s probably too strong a term for it) after winning his national open. And in the event of the week, the Jin Young Ko machine rolled on in New Jersey.

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This Friday episode begins with a quick check-in on some of the tournament action this week before transitioning to a mailbag. Andy and Brendan put the call out for questions minutes before recording, and they run through a series of both golf and non-golf queries on the fly. Then the second half is a Precision Pro Flashback Friday on a past Las Vegas Invitational, featuring 3-time winner Jim Furyk, who beat Jonathan Kaye, a “bad boy” rebel on Tour. They discuss some of the amusing circumstances around that 1999 Vegas Invitational, Furyk, and Kaye, including the details around his 2-month suspension and multiple run-ins with both fans and the commissioner.

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This Wednesday episode begins with an apology about the missing Monday episode and some ample clean-up from the weekend on Sam Burns, the Dunhill, Celine Boutier, and a Swedish killer. There’s also a digression on whether the Town Crier has to make an announcement and declaration about the town fool in NE Florida. Then Andy and Brendan are on to the schedule of the week, which leads to Martin Laird appreciation and a couple unrelated stories about their scant few visits to Las Vegas. They ponder if every Champions Tour event should just be a guy and his friends, like this week’s “Furyk and Friends” in Jacksonville. The LPGA event earns event of the week honors but one move that does not earn praise is the big news that the Dinah Shore will be relocating to Texas in the coming years. They discuss this at length in the news segment, which also features a chat on the newly announced Bryson-Brooks Match V at the Wynn in Vegas.

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This Friday episode begins with a quick update on Baton Boy Sr. playing over at the Dunhill, Mr. October finding his sweet spot, and news that Bones is returning full-time to looping with Justin Thomas. Is this an unintended PIP play? Does it matter at all for JT’s golf and how does it hurt the broadcast? Then Andy and Brendan welcome Mississippi’s own Will Bardwell, of Lying Four fame, to discuss his Sanderson Farms Championship enthusiasm, his history with the event, and its strength in its current form. They also asked him on to get at the larger discussion around rumors that the fall events may no longer carry Courier Cup points. What would this mean for Sanderson and events like it in the fall? What would they actually play for? And is this a leverage play to boost Euro events as part of the strategic alliance. The episode closes with a transatlantic Flashback Friday. First is the on the time John Daly nearly gave the Mississippi event’s finance guy a heart attack by asking for his earnings in cash on the spot. Second, is when Westy hit the greatest shot in Dunhill history resulting in a “pas de deux of elephantine proportions.”

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This Wednesday episode begins with some sad news about an SGS favorite getting sold for parts. Then Andy and Brendan offer some Ryder Cup clean-up with one more thought about how this could go for the next several years. The schedule for the week starts with a favorite here, the Chicken/Peacock/Sanderson Farms Championship in Jackson, Mississippi. Notables features a husky quartet and Andy tries to diminish the entire event’s existence. The Dunhill and LPGA are also covered and praised during the schedule for the week segment. But neither earn event of the week honors, which go to the two U.S. Mid Amateurs, where SGS has some rooting interests. The second half of the episode is a chat with one of the podcast’s few returning guests, Kevin Clark of The Ringer. Kevin offers some reactions to the Ryder Cup, including his own personal history with the event, before they transition into a hard discussion about the leadership group of Andy’s beloved Bears. They discuss if an analog to the Manningcast could work in golf, and make some other ridiculous football-golf comps. Thanks to Kevin for his time.

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Our week in Sheboygan comes to an end with an American rout at the Ryder Cup. This recap episode is once again live from the Bixby Bus. It begins with a “thanks” to Mr. Kohler, a call back to an amusing inside nugget that started the week. Then it’s on to the takeaways from the victorious and dominant American side, and the defeated and battered European side. Andy talks about going back out to watch Westy play the 18th to “bring the old warhorse into the barn.” Brendan talks about going out to watch Rory and what the emotion that poured out of the European side meant for both this cup and going forward. They caution about all the grand pronouncements on what these three days means for the next several Cups, and also reiterate why it’s the best event in golf. They also debate who we’ll see again in Italy, and much more from another week on the ground. This episode, along with all of the episodes from Wisconsin, are supported by Bixby Coffee, where new Shotgun Start pitcher packs are live to go with the trusty SGS blend and Westy Island blend.

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