The Shotgun Start

Brendan and Andy fire it up to start their now traditional daily recaps of the Masters and there’s plenty to discuss after an eventful first day at Augusta National. They begin with the soft and wet conditions, the “controversy” surrounding the early morning delay, and the different expectations we have for course setups for different majors. There’s a lengthy chat on Tiger, a rarity for SGS, and his contentment and control on display in his opening round. A leaderboard full of different skillsets leads to a discussion trying to suss out why Augusta National favors the big hitters but never excludes the shorter, precise hitters. Naturally then, Larry Mize and Mike Weir get their run, and Sandy Lyle is the subject of a brief fashion review. Nick Faldo’s comments on an equipment rollback are also praised in a segment on “most surprising” developments of day one. Bryson, of course, is giving the full treatment before a concluding chat on some big names flirting with a potential MC.

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This Wednesday episode is an expanded Masters preview covering a range of serious and amusing topics for what will be a truly unique tournament at Augusta National. But first, a warning to read the fine print if you ever do a merchandising deal with a certain drinkware company. The event of the week is the Masters, and Brendan and Andy begin by discussing the potential weather impacts, the agronomy impacts, and some players to watch. They hail the new MyGroup digital broadcast feature for appearing to be a truly groundbreaking change, and then set up an ideal MyGroup strategy similar to the “League Pass Teams” of the NBA. There’s an early rumors from the ground segment ranked in order of ridiculousness. There’s a segment on what Bryson might do this week, his lengthy driver, and the comments from Phil that the future adopted practice will be carrying two drivers. That leads them to a chat on what to expect and what they want to hear from Chairman Fred Ridley in his annual press conference, the one time he offers a real state of the game from an ANGC perspective and fields questions. There’s a softer segment on the meaning of the Masters, using less of their own words and rather leaning on the testimony and actions of what they’ve seen from players this week as evidence of what place this tournament holds in our imaginations. A closing chat with gambling ace Fried Egg Paulie focuses on some one-and-done strategies, fantasy strategies, Sandy Lyle vs. Larry Mize, some more serious head-to-heads, Bryson’s o/u yardage props.

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The year 2020 is not all bad -- we got an extra day of Champions Tour golf! And what better way to start Masters week than with a chat about the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, where Ernie was plumb bobbing from 110 yards, microphones picked up ample grumpy cursing, and a playoff went deep into the dark night without a resolution. Then Brendan and Andy transition to a review of the Houston Open, celebrating Carlos Ortiz’s victory against the “battlefield curse,” which Andy explains. They also commend DJ and Brooksy’s showings as well as how the new Memorial Park showed for a Tour event. Big Shot Bob is praised for his maiden victory on the Euro Tour, even though he didn’t capture low gross. Then they transition to early Masters chatter, pondering what an unexpected Fred Ridley press conference announced for Monday could be about. They also hit on some of Rory’s comments about conditions and how it will play “very different” and then go over the early reports of Bryson’s yardages and landing areas in a recent practice round with Mr. Flimper.

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Here’s a Spotlight appetizer for the 2020 Masters, where the Thicc Boi Bryson and his protein shakes will be a headline story at Augusta National. The subject is Frank Stranahan, often thought of as the first great weightlifter and physical fitness obsessive in the game (and also someone who claimed he would live to 120, 130, and even 150 years old). Brendan and Andy discuss Stranahan’s world class bodybuilding career, his marathon running career, and his golf career, where he’s often characterized as the greatest amateur on the lengthy bridge between Jones and Woods. Aside from his play, he was also a lightning rod figure as a trust fund kid out of Toledo. This episode covers not only his wins as an amateur and close calls at the majors, including a runner-up at the Masters, but also those controversies, most notably when he was expelled from the Masters during a practice round just a year after finishing second. This tension and outright conflict with the Masters, Clifford Roberts, and Bobby Jones is discussed in depth -- the rumors behind it, the expletive laced arguments that led to his invitation being yanked during a practice round, and the continued Roberts antagonism even after the Augusta National co-founder’s death.

This Spotlight is made possible thanks to Rukket, which is giving away two SPDR portable driving ranges to SGS listeners and 20 percent off a next purchase -- enter here.

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This Election Day episode begins with Brendan and Andy rehashing some amusing answers from past anonymous players’ polls. Then they transition to the Masters Fact of the Day based off a tip about a potential change in jacket policy coming this year. The shhhhedule for the week begins with the Houston Open, featuring an extended discussion on the new venue, Memorial Park, and the work done by Tom Doak. What was Brooksy’s input in the work and how will it play for a Tour event? Also, has the Tour stopped caring about par, and living under it? There’s amusement over the format for the Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Showdown, where scores will be reset multiple times and could expose some hypocrisy in future Net Tour Championship critiques. Discussion of this Euro Tour event also leads to the discovery of the English golfer Toby Tree, a new SGS favorite. The Champions Tour season-ender is also briefly covered as a potential coronation for Ernie, who “feels like a rookie again.” News hits on Bryson’s deal with DraftKings and if he’d be the worst possible pro to get a lesson from, which is part of that activation (and who would be the best pro to get a lesson from, which is an excuse for a spotlight on #WestysWisdom). Lastly, they chat about a pro describing his use of a 48-inch driver “like a sledgehammer.”

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Nothing can dampen spirits on this Victory Monday thanks to the work done by one Brian Gay, he of team Centinel Spine. Brendan and Andy rejoice in a win from an older poofer of the golf ball, and perhaps the oldest wearer of a flat bill on Tour. The spine discussion leads to an aside on the physical troubles of D.A. Points, which was painful to watch in Bermuda. Gay’s win, however, is not some evidence that there’s no distance problem in golf, but rather proof of variety borne out of a different setup and shorter course. This leads to a mini-rant from Brendan on the phrase “distance debate” and a plea to abolish the use of it. Callum Shinkwin is given his due as the Cyprus winner. On the Champions Tour, they ponder how the TimberTech Championship forced a split screen with the damn playoff on the regular PGA Tour. Is the title sponsor providing some free deck work at Sawgrass? They wrap with misgivings about their crappy football teams and praise for Joe Buck and Troy Aikman’s pointed criticisms of the Bears playcalling, with a hope for similar critiques from PGA Tour coverage.

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Do you think Andy Sullivan is terrified of the murder hornet? With the golf action limited this week, this Friday episode meanders about from some quick thoughts on Bermuda, Cyprus, and Halloween. Brendan and Andy discuss the grotesque injury suffered by Brendon Todd, they marvel at some of the longshots that went low in Bermuda, and ponder the fairway kiln. Then they get to their annual golf-related Halloween costumes segment, brainstorming up some options for the Shotgunners out there. Bryson, CT machines, the Solicitor General, the Ponte Vedra posse, Spieth, and many others are bandied about as potential costume concepts. Then come edify yourself in the waters of Michael Gellerman research, which is also a reason for a U.S. Pub Links tangent. Masters Fact of the Day is a doozy from @Bamabearcat on the original Mackenzie plan for a par-73 course with a little quiz and subsequent discussion on the par-5 that never was. Also, green B. Draddy SGS quarter zips for the final men’s major of 2020 will be 20 percent off through the weekend with promo code FLIMPER -- shoutout Sandy Lyle.

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This Wednesday episode begins with breaking news from Augusta National, where College GameDay will go live from in a couple weeks, there will be no Par-3 contest, and split tees will be put in use. Andy and Brendan react to all this news and ponder the likelihood of Rickie making a GameDay appearance as well as Bryson firing out of his stance and pushing a blocking sled around the par-3 course. Then there’s a waterfall follow-up, as a superintendent source relays some staggering costs for maintaining the rapids at a course where he worked. As for the instant golf this week, the two run through the field at Bermuda, where the Funk family presence is strong. Andy also features his three things to watch for and wonders when the last time both the PGA Tour and Euro Tour played on sub-7000 yard courses in the same week. Speaking of the Euro Tour, they revel in the oddities and history around this week’s event in Cyprus, where an ancient kiln and olive press occupy fairways on the front nine. Brendan also quizzes Andy on some Cyprus trivia before a discussion on this week’s Champions Tour sponsor leads to a chimney and firewood chat to close it out.

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It’s Victory Monday at the Shotgun Start and Brendan provides a short riposte after a weekend of attacks on his rotisserie chicken comments before celebrating a ride on the Baker rollercoaster. The golf talk starts with the Italian Open, where 38-going-on-58 Ross McGowan slapped it all over the place (and around the power lines) but managed to sneak out a win some 11 years after his first Euro Tour title. Then they transition to the LPGA, which leads to a short side discussion on pontoon boats or “tooning” as Andy calls it, and Ally McDonald’s first win at Great Waters. Finally, there’s the Zozo Championship. They discuss Patrick Cantlay’s great final round, the design thought that goes into how many waterfalls you should put on a hole and why you’d stop at 14, the maintenance of said waterfalls and pools, the Geronimo Hex on shaky JT, Phil’s game not traveling down from the Senior circuit, and Tiger’s disconcerting tee-to-green game. In news, they hit on Bryson carrying the ball 400 yards and the Champions Dinner being on for this year.

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It’s Brendan’s wedding anniversary so this Friday episode quickly zips through a potpourri of topics with no real plan or direction. They begin with an unexpected but heated debate over rotisserie chicken and whether it’s any good. More intel from the ground on the Power Lines Open in Italy is relayed and there’s great amusement at Matt Wallace’s ball getting knocked out of the air into a hazard. The Zozo discussion begins with crowning Bassy Munoz the new Mr. October and there’s an update on the origins of the name Sherwood. Phil’s 2-wood and 47.5 inch driver bag setup is critiqued as are metal spikes, generally, after video of Andrew Landry tumbling on a cart path is discovered. Both Brendan and Andy also address the popular GC Tiger Tracker account going silent this week, with a serious lament on the loss of jobs behind the scenes. Another odd video from Bryson and the Kings of Leon is giggled over before a Flashback Friday segment takes on Seve Ballesteros and his outrageous record before the age of 21 and at national opens. News hits on Sergio playing a pro tennis event, Phil maybe skipping Houston because they’ll have fans, and a crazy longshot exemption that will be there.

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A Bixby-fueled early morning recording begins with a discussion of fast food preferences and an analysis of more dumb officespeak before addressing any golf. The shhhedule for the week begins with a lengthy chat on the Zozo Championship -- namely, the field, the Kanaya hype, and some features and traits of this week’s venue,Sherwood Forest, home of Friar Tuck and Little John. The Joey D Match Play Championship on the Minor League Golf Tour results in a 10-minute chat on all things MLGT, including the Estates Course at PGA National, the all-time money list, and the potential for playing three rounds in one day at the same course. The LPGA event of the week leads to another mispronunciation adventure and there’s some intel on significant overhead power line problems at the Euro Tour event. News hits on the cancellation of the Hero World Challenge and Wyndham bailing on the rewards chase.

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Brendan and Andy react to the breakthrough win for Jason Kokrak after 10 years and 232 starts on the PGA Tour. Unsurprisingly, there’s a sudden digression into hollering about the subject of no CT testing happening since the Return to Golf. They also discuss the persistent odds integration into the broadcast, some good things they saw at Shadow Creek, and the celebration that may be taking place among the troops at PXG. On the European Tour, Adrian Otaegui is labeled as being in “George Coetzee territory” and there’s ample follow-up on the Home of Golf controversy as well as the fact that they played lift, clean, and place in Scotland. Phil’s “circus act” on the Champions Tour netted him another win in the 50-and-over set, and so they ruminate on what a driver with “extra pop” means for Augusta. Speaking of beating up on the older guys, Omar Uresti has now brought his club pro scheme to the Senior PGA Professional Championship with a dominant six-shot victory. They react in frustration and amusement to this before signing off with some quick news on the Houston Open allowing fans.

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Andy and Brendan close out the week with a lengthy discussion on Shadow Creek after the first round of the CJ Cup. But first, Brendan issues an apology on some course record confusion and Andy argues that course records should no longer exist, as a rule. There’s also one more amusing sock story from a prominent American club. Andy is also forced to reckon with his hero, Lee Westwood, shilling for the Fake St. Andrews that was the target of so much ire on Wednesday. On the subject of Shadow Creek, the two discuss their misgivings about how it’s portrayed this week as some sort of aspirational marvel or treasure. There is less criticism for the course itself as opposed to the portrayal and the caution we should all proceed with when consuming the CJ Cup. They also discuss how it was a big day for provisionals, the stimpmeter, and overseed. News hits on reports of The Match III before they wrap with Masters facts of the day on the origins of rope lines at golf tournaments and a singing, dancing champion.

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This Wednesday episode begins with the tale of Andy getting a speeding ticket somewhere in rural Iowa before transitioning to a Brendan apology for his grievous socks code oversight from Monday. On golf, they begin with absolute rage over the bait-and-switch nomenclature of this week’s venue, a venerable Sam Torrance design, on the European Tour. There’s a back-and-forth over whether this offense means the event will be blackballed in SGS quarters for the rest of the week. Fortunately, a late discovery of the “Gavin Zone” keeps hope alive that it will be recognized. The CJ Plaque preview touches a bit on the garish and catnip-providing Shadow Creek as well as the odd capitalization scheme for the entire event. The Speed Golf Championships get event of the week, naturally. Some one-and-done picks are made and news hits on DJ’s positive test to get you fully unprepared for the golf week ahead.

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Andy and Brendan begin this Victory Monday with some brief comments on their 4-1 football teams and then some not-so-brief comments on the practice of examining potato chips for green complex design inspiration. Then they get to the golf of the weekend, starting with Speedy Sei Young Kim winning the Women’s PGA at Aronimink. They focus on her inspiring pace, if she was the best to have never won a major, the importance of beating Inbee Park, and how the course so brilliantly brought out drama off the tee. For the BMW PGA, they lament the struggle it was to actually watch the conclusion on television but praise Hoodie Hatton’s play to capture that tour’s flagship event. Also, was there actually anyone critiquing him about wearing a hoodie or was this just a Twitter strawman? At the Shriners, they marvel at Martin Laird emerging from the Martin zone as well as some poorly placed TPC design service catch basins for his first win in seven years. Ernie Els and Trey Mullinax also get some love for their weekend wins before a lengthy news segment on the Matt Fitzpatrick vs. Bryson DeChambeau debate over what constitutes “skill.”

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Ringer staff writer Kevin Clark joins for a wide-ranging and amusing discussion on golf, the NFL, and the prospects for two specific teams in the Great Lakes region in this Friday episode. But first, Andy and Brendan check in on some early news and action from the golf world, notably Bryson going deep in Las Vegas and the best of the women’s game already showing at Aronimink. They discuss Bryson’s stated plan to debut his new 48 inch driver at the Masters, how he says it looks like “a missile coming off the face,” and how he’s drawing inspiration from watching Happy Gilmore. They also giggle at the college event at the Tyson chicken tycoon’s course and how that tycoon allegedly made it hard to join and hard to play. In news, they hit on the Women’s PGA sending the leaders out on Sunday in the middle of the tee sheet. And then they wrap with the absurdity that is Pat Reed threatening to really win the Race to Dubai on a Tour that he barely plays. For the second half of the episode, Kevin joins to talk about how he got into golf later in his life but has turned into an avid watcher, gambler, and improving player, thanks to an assist from Shane Lowry. On the NFL side, he relays some amusing tales from reporting in the league, if there’s any football or other sports comp to what Bryson’s done the past year, and if technology has changed football in any way like it has golf. Also, is J.J. Watt now the Pat Reed of the NFL? Then they narrow the focus to their own teams, peppering him with questions about Mitch Trubisky, Matt Nagy’s basement wall, Baker, Freddie Kitchens, and whether the Browns or Bears have a better chance to make the playoffs.

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This Wednesday episode begins with some thoughts on what new equipment we might see rolled out in the annual PGA Tour stop in Las Vegas, as well what’s become of Union Green. Then Brendan and Andy move to the event of the week, the Women’s PGA Championship played at Aronimink. They highlight the deep field as well as another venue pairing with the women’s game that should bring out the best in both. On the Euro Tour, they hit on some of the origins of the BMW PGA, how Euros claim it as the original PGA, and Patrick Reed’s late entry into the field as he fights for the Race to Dubai title. TPC Summerlin, this week’s venue on the PGA Tour, is discussed in context of where it falls in the TPC universe, if there is such a thing. The field has some real oomph, including the return of the Thicc Boi, who was bombing balls out of the driving range again. This brings us to the KFT event, which is at the 360 degree range at Orange County National, where we lobby for the Thicc Boi to attend demo day and launch balls across the circular range. Also, why are they only playing Panther Lake and not Crooked Cat on the KFT? They wrap with Masters fact of the day, which is more like a story of the day from Bamabearcat on how the land of Augusta National did not go through the sequence of ownership that is often told.

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After assessing the triumphs and ruins of another NFL Sunday, Brendan (begrudgingly) and Andy go into Sergio Garcia’s impressive win to rocket up the Courier Cup standings. They hit on the aesthetics of his win, his career earnings to date, why he’s playing the Sanderson, and how it could not have gone any better for the event. Peppy Peter Malnati is also given some time as the potential foil. At the Scottish Open, the deadpan Aaron Rai is given props for his two-gloved win at Renaissance. Rob Rock’s bumbling also prompts the question of whether the massive increase in purse size for the week had players uptight all week. And they also weigh in on the debate about waterlogged Lee Westwood getting the benefit of having his shots filmed for future search parties. Evan Harmeling is anointed as a great new character in golf after learn some Harmeling facts following his KFT win. In news, they hit on the breathless Augusta agronomy coverage, Takumi Kanaya turning pro, and the absolutely incredible origin story of Tom Kim’s name.

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SGS closes out the week with some tales from the road as Andy drives around the country. There’s been another shoe incident and it’s a good one. There’s also some intel picked up on the PGA Tour's RV subculture, its interior design trends, and the variety of rigs and who commandeers them. Then they get to the golf and discuss Lee Westwood’s stirring round at the Scottish Open and what it means for the Masters, as well as his schedule heading into Augusta. Then comes the Sanderson, which goes in a mishmash of directions like the career of Kevin Chappell, the alligator population in the country, Texas Open winners, and the golf course offerings at The Villages in Florida. They forgot to put up a Fan Vote poll again, so they just proclaim William McGirt the winner and tell a very amusing story about him being grumpy at TPC Sawgrass. In news, they touch on Paul Lawrie’s retirement and Phil’s “speed training” at Cypress Point. They close it out with the return of Masters Fact of the Day from Bamabearcat now that the calendar has flipped to October.

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Celebrate this week’s National Coffee Day with a subscription to the Shotgun Start Blend at Bixby, and Andy might be sending you a free bag of beans this week. After some brief comments on Carson moderating the Presidential debate, the MLB postseason, and all these “national days,” Brendan and Andy get down to golf and begin with the Scottish Open. They discuss the field, the Renaissance Club venue, and some intel from on the ground about honourable backboards, which prompts the proposal of the “ANA Rule.” Then they likely spend more time talking about the Sanderson Farms Championship and the state of Mississippi than anyone else will this week. Brendan re-hashes why he loves this event, Andy quizzes him with some Mississippi state trivia, they have a brief debate on geography, and they run through some Milk Carton veterans who are making a start. They more seriously talk about motivation for those veterans, like Sean O’Hair, who have banked millions at this point. There’s a fun history lesson on Atlantic City golf while discussing this week’s LPGA Shoprite event. They close with news of Jordan Spieth getting sponsor’s exemptions into the Zozo and CJ Plaque and an inane debate on whether you can just be “whelmed.”

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Andy is brimming with enthusiasm and confidence for the Nick Foles era, even if it means his over wager for Mitch Trubisky starts is in trouble. Brendan is cautious about Baker Mayfield and just happy the Browns are over .500 for the first time in six years. The Victory Monday celebration consumes the first several minutes of the episode because, well, there’s little enthusiasm for the golf. Nevertheless, there is time and credit given to Hudson Swafford’s win in the Dominican Republic. There’s also a tangent on the Hudson and Harris confusion. John Catlin’s win at the Irish Open is discussed, as he’s now just the third American to take the historic event. The incredible Jared Wolfe story down on the KFT is hailed after his win in Wichita. In news, they hit on Tiger committing to the Zozo at Sherwood and reports of Tony Fianu being sued for a hefty sum.

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There’s little to talk about so this Friday episode is a slalom run of stupidity as Brendan and Andy swerve back and forth from topic to topic. They begin with some follow-up intel on Tommy II, Mike Davis’s new partner in crime, and his preferred attire while out on the job. Then they relay an origin story for the Murder Rock course name, which has something to do with a criminal named Alf. There’s also more details on the insanity of that layout, a range that was essentially a grass wall, and a few more thoughts on the bunkers at Payne’s Valley. They also address Rory’s comments on Bryson arm-locking and the impact that Davis’s departure will have on equipment regulation. After a discussion on making their own wine, they transition to the actual golf this week, which is more a reason to talk about the Sepptic tank’s life moving from Vienna to Valdosta, Tyler McCumber’s life hitchhiking, and Xinjun Zhang being known as the Bad Boy of Chinese golf.

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The seriousness of U.S. Open week is out the window for this Wednesday episode as Brendan and Andy weave their way through the cornucopia of oddities from the Payne’s Valley Cup, Mike Davis getting into the design game, and the Puntacana Championship efforting to fill a field that is inexplicably sized for 144 players. Their reactions to the two-on-two match in the Ozarks are varied, from the interminable time it took to complete, to the lionizing of Johnny Morris, to Paul Azinger’s amazement at the waterfalls, to the crowded galleries, to the format that left us unclear on who won. There’s also ample time set aside for Gary Player’s rant on trees, farming, city slickers, and his brother going to war. In news, they discuss Mike Davis’ decision to resign from the USGA and start his own design firm. They discuss his record at the USGA and ponder the challenges and advantages of his new career, while also trying to sort out the Fazio family tree. Toward the end, they run through the schedule for the week and take a look at the Puntacana field, which is grasping for headliners and names you’ve heard of before.

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Andy and Brendan pour themselves a glass of chocolate milk and sidle up to the microphone to react to a dominant Sunday performance by Bryson DeChambeau. They talk extensively about the “validation” of his decision to get thicc and chase distance. They discuss how Winged Foot played into this style, and what could be changed to mitigate that style dominating so consistently at the game’s biggest championships. They praise the work put in that has so quickly made him a major contender but also discuss whether this will hasten any changes to how these majors are set up and how the game is regulated. Other topics covered are the disappointment of Rory’s start, the contention that Faldo is now better than Azinger, how Winged Foot was shot for TV, Matthew Wolff’s day, and how the USGA feels about this specific championship and WF going forward. They’re also sure to hit on Danny Lee’s meltdown, make a Bryson-Bubba comp, Zatch’s outfit, and a host of other inanities.

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This Saturday night episode reacts to the third round at Winged Foot and ponders what’s to come Sunday in the final round of the U.S. Open. Brendan and Andy begin by discussing Matthew Wolff’s outrageous 65 and the increasingly hot topic of not having to hit the fairway to lead a U.S. Open at Winged Foot. What does this say about the modern game and the present championship, if anything? They also discuss Pat Reed getting blown out to sea (and also possibly fluffing his lie on camera again) and the extremely impressive grind by Thicc Boi to get back on track and take a spot in the final tee time of the final round. They also address some of the odd setup critiques that the USGA went too easy. Then they are joined by Shane Bacon, who is on the ground this week broadcasting the event. Shane provides some insights on what changed with the conditions in the third round and his impressions of watching Wolff, Bryson, Reed, JT, and Rory. Then the three go through a lightning round of predictions and thoughts for Sunday, including winner, winning score, and the likelihood Bryson will be put on the clock.

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Winged Foot punched back on Friday at the U.S. Open and Andy and Brendan react to the setup and our leaderboard at the 36-hole mark. They marvel at Pat Reed’s game and how he duct tapes together a fantastic score even when it doesn’t look great. They marvel at Bryson DeChambeau’s strategy, albeit slow, working so far. And they lament all the attendant nonsense that comes with both but can’t wait to watch them tee it up together in the final pairing on Saturday. Andy also discusses how the setup on Friday was a natural progression in the championship, not some reaction to the wailing about it being too easy on Thursday. He also says Saturday will be the real test and indicator for the USGA and their approach to setting up this venue. They also address the alleged Winged Foot vs. USGA tension on how the course was playing early in the championship. Finally, they go through some of their biggest surprises and biggest disappointments, addressing those who missed the cut and the drag it can be watching Tiger trudge his way to an MC. Naturally, they wrap with some discussion on Jason Kokrak and the Wyndham Rewards.

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Brendan and Andy react to the opening round at Winged Foot, where 21 players posted scores under par and Justin Thomas set the pace with a 65. At the start, they get into some of the specific holes and tees they loved and a few questions they had about setup. They assess the pin positions, the firmness, the overall conditions, and the wails that it was too easy for a U.S. Open at Winged Foot. They also discuss if the membership might try to put their thumb on the scale and push for a stiffer test. Transitioning to players, they go over a very SGS-esque leaderboard with Team UPS making a strong showing, Shaun Norris anchoring away, Jason Kokrak going all-in, and Sabbo representing for continental Europe. Some quotes from Rory McIroy and JT are also lamented and praised in the context of the usual setups we see on Tour vs. this week. They conclude with some thoughts on Phil Mickelson and Jordan Spieth, the lost boy, and if and when he needs to just make wholesale changes. A lightning round of make/miss cut closes it out and sets us up for Friday at the national championship.

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The 2020 U.S. Open is here and this episode is an extended preview with a couple distinguished guests, Billy Draddy, creative director at Summit Golf Brands who has a long personal history with Winged Foot, and Fried Egg Paulie, who provides his usual fantasy and gambling expertise while indulging Brendan and Andy’s idiotic picks and proposals. But first, Brendan and Andy go back and forth on the national championship. They discuss their excitement and even gratitude around it getting back up and running this week. They get into a lengthy discussion on Winged Foot, what makes it so great, what to pay attention to, what “it’s all in front of you” means, and how, if at all, it could get screwed up to the point where Zatch is moaning about something being “gone” or “lost.” Then they run through some of their favorite tee times, debating whether it’s better to start on WF’s 1st or par-3 10th and if Phil has any chance getting a late-early draw. The DJ-Bryson-Finau grouping discussion is also highlighted by some fun #JupScoop on DJ’s new boat and Bryson’s talk of putting a 48-inch Jarmo shaft in play.

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It is Victory Monday for only one half of the Shotgun Start thanks to some late heroics from Mitch Trubisky. The Browns, however, provided no such heroics or hope and Brendan has to fume a bit on more season opening despair before they turn to golf and the backboard bonanza finish at the ANA Inspiration. They discuss how this became the prominent feature of the tournament and Sunday’s finish but dispute any notion that Nelly Korda got screwed by the backboarding of Mirim Lee. On the PGA Tour, they marvel at a 47 year old ascending to No. 1 in the world and the amusing ways the Tour talked about the “weather” in California this week. There’s also ruminating about the Chicago Highlands venue on the KFT, Miguel Angel Jimenez’s celebratory moves in South Dakota, and the life and career of one George Coetzee. News touches on Scottie Scheffler’s WD, Kevin Kisner’s tweet, and Mizuno maybe putting their thumb on the scale when it comes to LPGA coverage.

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It’s about three months later than planned, but it’s U.S. Open week and the Shotgun Start is grateful for that. To get in the mood for the national championship, Andy and Brendan have this bonus Spotlight episode thanks to the U.S. Open’s Victory Club. This is a different approach from previous USGA spotlights on 2006 Winged Foot, 2007 Oakmont, and Bubba Dickerson’s 2001 U.S. Amateur win. They are joined by Kevin Robbins, journalist and professor at Texas, who spent years researching his book, The Last Stand of Payne Stewart: The Year Golf Changed Forever. Brendan and Andy do their usual Spotlight debrief at the top, covering the nuts and bolts of Payne’s career, some amusing tidbits from his 1991 U.S. Open win, and then dive into a long chat with Kevin about Payne’s evolution as a person and player going into that famous 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst. The championship at Pinehurst is also covered in detail with a cast of heavyweights contending on a venue that is now and will be an anchor for the U.S. Open. And Kevin gets at the topic of what made this year such a line of demarcation in the game of golf.

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First off, the Shotgun Start is making a wine blend with Smith Devereaux and they could use your creativity in coming up with a name for it. Next, this Friday episode is a stream of consciousness whip around the world of golf. There’s discussion on the “fog” surrounding the Safeway Open, the obscene backboarding going on at the ANA Inspiration, and Phil quickly coming back down to earth after his successful foray on the senior circuit. In news, Andy and Brendan discuss the USGA setting up shop in Pinehurst and also making No. 2 an anchor site for the U.S. Open. They discuss their level of “rota fatigue” and if they could help with oversight at the ball testing facility. Brooksy’s WD from Winged Foot is lamented and the PGA of America POY that does not count the Tour Championship is celebrated. They sign off with a few thoughts on the new 50-event PGA Tour schedule.

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After an interminable offseason, Andy and Brendan return in the best shape of their lives for this episode. But first, Andy has to get off one more quibble on the coverage and framing of the final round of the prior season at East Lake. Then they get to the event of the week, the ANA Inspiration, providing some field highlights and course reports at the second women’s major of the year. For the Euro Tour’s event, the subject of going to Portugal, generally, is discussed, as is Alvaro Quiros’ underwhelming short game. Andy has some skyline insights for this week’s KFT event in Chicago and there are a few comments on the return of fans at this week’s Champions Tour stop in South Dakota, which leads to an extended digression on the geography of the area. The Safeway Open field is previewed at length, from the young stars given exemptions to the Major Medicals to the Career Money listers to our Duct Taped King. The second half of the podcast is devoted to the second annual over-unders competition. Major totals for some stars, a PR Curse prop, some OWGR thresholds, the Thicc Boi becoming the Stickboi are just a few debated before a transition to a few Bears and Browns over-unders that reveal a stunning level of optimism for the NFL season ahead.

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Brendan and Andy return from the holiday weekend break to react to the season-ending FedEx Club Championship. But first, they discuss John Catlin’s win at the “oppressively tight” Valderrama and Brett Drewitt’s win on stop one of the “Fitzy Swing” on the KFT Tour. On the season ender at East Lake, Brendan proclaims the final round one of the great golf gaslightings of our time, as stats about 54-hole leads and win totals were thrown at the audience against a backdrop of complete silence on the potential money changing hands on every shot. This is separate and apart from the actual golf, which went out with a snoozer in what they both are adamant to clarify has been a great and successful Return to Golf (capitalized). Is a venue change the easiest solution for the boring Tour Champ golf? Yet another format change? Or was this just a bad year? They also discuss potential POY and ROY awards which will be given out now as opposed to the end of the year after two more majors are played. They close with some early reports from the grounds at the next major, the ANA Inspiration, on the outrageous heat and backboard situation.

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A hectic week at SGS and the odd Friday to Monday schedule resulted in this delayed Wednesday episode, which serves as a preview for the 2020 Tour Championship. That preview begins with a lengthy discussion on the Andalucia Masters, the event of the week. They discuss the life and career of Martin Kaymer -- the fast times early on despite the narrative he was just like Bernhard, and whose career in the current Top 10 they’d take over Kaymer’s resume. The East Lake preview also features lengthy discussions on Valderrama, the Francesco Molinari disappearance, and a recap of the 2019 Masters. Then they get to the KFT event and the oppressive heat in central and southern Illinois. Finally, on the actual Tour Championship, they quip their way through the entire 30-man field, holler about the staggered start, and wonder if this presents a real curveball to the PR Open Curse. Lastly, they close it out with some thoughts on this being the deciding event for the POY, and whether that award in a season with just one major should have an asterisk.

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The FedExCup is on a roll. Andy and Brendan start the week recapping the dramatic Jon Rahm vs. DJ playoff after a fantastic championship on a firm and fast Olympia Fields. After watching it, they propose one potential way that this playoffs system really could take hold with the hardcore golf fans that so often mock it. There’s also a panning of the constant temperament talk regarding Rahm and if he needs to change a single thing about how he’s gone about his career. Andy has an issue with all the praise that trees received over the weekend, but is jubilant over the firm conditions and the interesting golf it produced. They review who took a dump in the cup this weekend by missing out on the Net Championship, as well as the one player who took a dump *on* the cup by *making* the Net Club Championship. There is also a quick rundown of other action from the golf world, including discussion of the young phenom Rasmus, Sei Young Kim’s fascinating new approach to pace of play, and Brandon Wu earning a spot in the U.S. Open with his KFT victory. News hits on Rory expecting and Matt Kuchar getting fired by his caddie.

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It’s Friday! Brendan and Andy begin this episode with some personal tales on life, death, and napping. Then they move to the challenging conditions at Olympia Fields, where just three players are living under par on a firm and fast golf course. They outline why the golf was so compelling under these conditions, how only mother nature should always dictate this, if it will hold up, and put it in context against last week’s scores in Boston. An all-time name wins the Smith Devereux birthday wine bottle giveaway. There is also a debrief on the Wednesday charity match, which included complaints about purple greens, some Thicc Boi bombs, and a deep dish debate. This leads to a long and winding digression on preferred pie. In news, they discuss Cameron Champ providing a rare voice (relative to other sports) on the PGA Tour promoting Black Lives Matter this week. News also hits on Tiger and Johnny Morris promoting their work via a two-man made-for-tv match next month, Sophia Popov’s puny exemption after winning a damn major, and whether Augusta will and should accommodate Daniel Berger for its 2020 field.

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It’s BMW Championship week and the Shotgun Start would typically begin with a preview lamenting the PGA Tour erasing the history of the great Western Open. That comes, eventually, but first Brendan and Andy begin with outrage over both the PGA Tour and Bryson DeChambeau promoting a completely fake fuzzy story about a good luck dog at Olympia Fields. What will be the fallout and is it indicative of a larger, more serious, authenticity problem on the Tour? Then they discuss who they’d like to see make it to Atlanta and earn major invites and a host of other perks for next year. They elaborate on why that game-within-the-game makes the BMW the most compelling “playoffs” event. There’s also a great deal of intel on Olympia Fields, rumors that it might play firm, and why the top pros could carve it up much like Medinah last year. The 7-club challenge is also previewed and hailed as a nice pre-tournament innovation. The schedule for the week focuses on the LPGA making the quick trip from Troon to NW Arkansas, the Web Tour playing for five U.S. Open spots, and a debate over what gives an event the right to call itself a “Classic.” On the Euro Tour, the inclusion of Brendan Lawlor in the field at UK Championship is highlighted. Phil’s bombs in the Ozarks are also reviewed but Andy still seems wholly uninterested in watching mid-week Senior tour golf. News closes it out with Charles Howell III’s commendable actions and Shadow Creek getting the CJ Plaque.

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“Back on the mic, Andyyyyyyy Johnsonnn!” New father Andy re-joins the Shotgun Start for this Monday episode and he comes prepared with an agitated Playoffs rant after a week of sleepless nights. But Brendan and Andy first begin with the Women’s Open and the amazing story of Sophia Popov. They discuss the thrill of watching Troon each morning and the guts of Popov, who had no status, offering no quarter to any chasers all weekend. What has made the women’s game so appealing in the restart and potentially much more successful going forward? There’s also a lengthy debate on another Lexi Thompson rules controversy, this one from Troon. At the Northern Trust, they hail DJ’s legendary performance as he truly separated himself from the rest of the field but lament him ending the run of Brian Gay being the last double-digit winner on Tour. They also discuss Justin Thomas’ quotes on rolling back the ball and Tiger and Rory’s quotes on being uninspired and lacking an advantage with no fans in attendance. Andy gets off a Playoffs tirade and how the name *must* be changed. They wrap with some thoughts on Phil playing the Champions Tour and a pronunciation guide for Euro Tour winner Romain Langasque.

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Great friend of the SGS, Shane Bacon, joins for this Friday episode that winds from unsolicited parenting advice for new dad Andy to the joys of watching a windy Royal Troon test the best women’s players in the world. Brendan and Shane discuss those conditions, the search for Gorse the Horse, and Lydia Ko’s early play. On the PGA Tour, they discuss the “First to Three” now going up against the “Chase for 83” as well as the many low scores at TPC Boston. Also mentioned are DJ’s refusal to pop back at Brooksy, Ryan Moore’s rest week during the PGA completely blowing up on him with the curse of Jaco Van Zyl, and Bryson’s irritation with sound travels. A news segment hits on Tiger continuing to play to the FEC, Brooks opting out of the season, and the Phoenix Open announcing they won’t build out the 16th hole like usual. Then they unearth some spicy, even nuclear, takes from Roger Sloan about the PGA Tour “abandoning” families and his “embarrassment” about it. They wrap with a truncated Flashback Friday on Seve winning in Westchester before a few more thoughts on Andy as a dad.

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PGA Tour dot com’s Sean Martin joins Brendan for this Wednesday episode as Andy’s paternity leave commences. It begins with a quick golf book recommendation from SMartin before a dive into some Northern Trust and Courier Cup history and minutiae, including the time Billy Horschel had to run to the bathroom. There’s also a short Heath Slocum retrospective before running through the schedule for the week. That somehow devolves into stories about the Bryant brothers, Bart and Brad, who got into the Champions Tour event at Big Cedar Lodge as an alternate. Sean makes a one-and-done pick for Andy, which could go horribly wrong, and nominates his own event of the week. In news, they discuss Tiger stopping by Winged Foot and Jon Rahm potentially not playing any Euro Tour events this year in a defense of his Race to Dubai win. They conclude with some serious discussion on if a FedExCup is the best measurement, stat, or title to reflect the player who had the best season in professional golf.

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Our golf cup runneth over in this lengthy Monday episode. Brendan and Andy begin with the U.S. Amateur, which served as a backdrop for the telling of the Strafaci family history. The tortoise-like pace of play is discussed as are the foggy playing conditions, which had some pros on Twitter hollering should have caused a stoppage. There’s also an attempt to explain why watching this at this venue was so captivating, even against a major championship last week. The caddie sand antics from the end of last week are also discussed in detail, as both Brendan and Andy re-live some of their worst caddie mistakes and also have a few questions for how this looper got on a bag in the U.S. Am. Some Ladies Scottish Open discussion leads to Andy going deep down a rabbit hole on the cost of buying your own hot air balloon, the profession of hot air balloon “pilot,” and other hot air balloon topics. The Wyndham review focuses on the amazing career arc of Jim Herman, the Spieth microscope, a nailbiter at the Parsons house, Si Woo’s odd course management, and the failure of the Wyndham Rewards. The Senior Players chat is mostly cause to tell another Monty weight loss story and also how brutal that course looks for the senior pros. On the KFT, they ask if Stephan Jaeger is the greatest player of all time on that Tour after another win.

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The SGS Spotlight is back! With the U.S. Amateur this week, this Friday episode focuses on Bubba Dickerson, who won the U.S. Am during a legendary run in the summer of 2001. Brendan and Andy are joined by Bubba himself, Colin Sheehan, who is the golf coach at Yale and author of The United States Amateur: The History and Personal Recollections of Its Champions, and Steve Paramore, who played against Bubba in the 2001 Amateur. This episode is sponsored by the USGA’s new fan community, the Victory Club. 

The episode traces Bubba’s upbringing in a one-stoplight town in Northeast Florida, his outcast approach to the AJGA, and his career at UF under Buddy Alexander. Then the summer of 2001 is covered in detail, including the Western Am he won after initially trying to pass on it, a motivating Walker Cup snub from a weird scheduling quirk, the mad dash and absurdity of having to qualify for the U.S. Am as the Western champion, and his week fending off “cocky” challengers to take the Havemeryer Trophy. Bubba’s rounds with Tiger at the subsequent Masters are recalled as well as the uphill battle to make it as a pro right as his distance advantage started to evaporate with the introduction of the new ball in late 2001.

Sound Engineering by J Vierck.

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It’s major championship week! Brendan and Andy, coming down from the high of the first major of the year, jump right back in the pool for a preview of the Senior Players at venerable Firestone South. This includes rambling through the field list shouting out names at random, Andy trying to make an enemy of NE Ohio by disparaging the venue, and a flashback to when Ron Burgundy accused someone ELSE of cheating for using a different kind of club. This episode is not all Champions Tour talk, however, as video of Tacko Fall’s swing is discussed. There’s also some serious analysis on the Wyndham, and how host venue Sedgefield became the first course designed with home sites around it in mind. There’s a brief history on that architectural evolution and the relationship courses have to home sites around them. The event of the week is the U.S. Amateur, and both Brendan and Andy revel in the treat that will be primetime golf from Bandon Dunes. News covers a potentially lamentable venue choice for the next international Presidents Cup and the lamentable delay of the Distance Insights Report.

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It took longer than anyone expected to get there, but the first major championship of the year delivered. Andy and Brendan return for one more daily reaction to the PGA and Collin Morikawa’s win at Harding Park. They assess Morikawa’s rapid ascent since turning pro, his future, and some potential comps to other young superstars. They also drool over the shot at 16, which Andy characterizes as an “approach shot” and not a drive to maintain the integrity of one of his oldest arguments. Then they run through the many contenders and characters from a manic day. DJ’s result is viewed leniently relative to some of his other major shortcomings. Bryson is buoyed. Some younger stars have holes to fill to get to Morikawa level. Some final thoughts on Harding Park, CBS, clouds, the skyline, and the activation timepiece are also included before they run through some of the other results from the weekend, including Brendan’s stroll at the U.S. Women’s Amateur.

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The great Shane Bacon joins for this loopy Saturday night discussion on the PGA Championship. But first, a debate about the proper sized coffee mug and some troubles Andy has had in this sizing pursuit. On golf, they discuss the manic and bunched leaderboard movements from Saturday at Harding Park and if Sunday’s final round will bring more of the same. Can it even be changed in any dramatic way at this point? Dustin Johnson’s sudden rise to the top is put in context. Phil’s TV work is discussed and reviewed at length, especially in contrast with Sir Nick. Then they run through the tee sheet, discussing all the names at the bottom of Sunday’s pairings, from amusing anecdotes on Bryson trying to make the world a better place to Cameron “Don’t Call Me Cam” Champ’s beautiful game in the third round. They end with a few predictions and a couple “game within the game” things to watch (namely Chez vs. Spieth).

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This late Friday episode reacts to another full day at the PGA Championship and slowly morphs into a Flashback Friday on the fast life of Mike Lorenzo-Vera, the Frenchman who sits at T2 at Harding Park. Other subjects covered include Rickie’s cut-missing whiff, Brooksy’s rolling around on the ground, Tiger’s chances with 36 to play, the Rory rollercoaster, and Haotong being held captive at the practice facility. Brendan and Andy also cover some of their favorite tee times for the third round (the Bryson-Reed Gentlemen Duo) and some potential worst-case scenarios for Saturday. There is also more praise for ESPN’s group of commentators and analysts as the perfect middle ground that makes this feel like an entertaining conversation while you watch.

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This Friday episode reacts to a full day of the first major championship in more than a year. A favorite son of the SGS, Brendon Todd is yet again on top of the leaderboard and there is condemnation for those who lost the faith because of potential “bombers’ paradise.” Andy uses this to offer some pointed thoughts on the setup and rough and what, if anything, we can take away from a mixed leaderboard after 18 holes. Then there’s a segment honoring Jeff Hart, the 60-year-old club pro who putted with his glove on and hit some eye-poppingly short drives. Brooksy’s back again and continues to speedbag Bryson, who had some shaft problems. They debate whether Bryson should have been able to put a new driver in play. There’s a cross-sport comp that anoints Zatch Johnson the St. Louis Cardinals of golf. There is ample time spent on the Spieth Problem, which Andy claims is just a mental issue at this point. Brendan asks how many players under 40, even with the current grim situation, would not take Spieth’s resume and career right now? Rory’s struggles are also put into perspective but Tiger’s approach is praised in the context of Andy’s earlier course analysis. Also, did the PGA screw Jon Rahm with his grouping. They close with some words of praise on ESPN voices re-joining golf coverage and a whiparound discussion on the Pirate going low in England and the U.S. Women’s Amateur bracket shaping up for a blockbuster weekend.

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A bonus podcast brought to you by the Shotgun Start Blend at Bixby Coffee features a picks and fantasy chat unlike any other. Brendan and Andy welcome in Fried Egg Paulie, an actual expert and not an idiot, to provide some insights on the PGA Championship and some player strengths to ride at Harding Park. They pepper Paulie with thoughts on low club pro bets, Ken Tanigawa, low Zach Johnson, and the English Championship before getting to some slightly more serious thoughts on the various price levels and categories of players on daily fantasy. Andy puts together a lineup and Paulie judges by offering his alternatives. Then they close with a couple one-and-done strategies and picks for the first major championship of the year.

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Major championship golf is back! And Brendan and Andy are grateful to have it so they begin with a discussion on Ryan Moore skipping to rest for the Courier Cup, which leads to a lengthy chat on Jaco Van Zyl’s career since he similarly skipped majors to prep for the Olympics. Is this the high point in the history of the FedExCup? Following that, they discuss more relevant PGA topics, like the favorites to win this week, the course and its faults, the course and its conditioning, who has the most to gain with a win, some favorite tee time groupings, and an appreciation of the club pro members that actually make up and drive the PGA. Also Bryson, there’s a good bit of Bryson, and Tiger, him too.

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It was the first weekend since March where it felt like we had a full helping of golf, and this Monday episode slowly and aimlessly works through most of it. Andy and Brendan begin with the WGC Swampass at TPC Initech, also now known as the WGC Preferred Lies. They discuss what questions are left for JT after his 13th win at such a young age. Andy laments the soft conditions and the walking-off of wedge shots from 50 yards and out that exceed the “recommended” allotted time for playing a shot. Rickie’s complete no-show is obviously discussed as is the theory that Brooksy didn’t want to win on the eve of a major and that a top 5 finish is just about right. Also, his ant jokes aimed at Bryson are reviewed and he’s hailed as golf’s best WWE character. The LPGA’s return is highlighted with comments on Danielle Kang’s win and a call for more top courses and clubs to showcase themselves with women’s golf. The Hero Open hits on Sam Horsfield’s prickly personality and one player taking a boat ride à la Scrivener. Bryson’s comments on living to be 140 years old are panned. There is a debut of a new segment titled Milk Carton Monday, and the subject is Jeff Overton and his exploits. They close with some comments on the return of major championship golf and USGA championship golf this coming week.

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