PGA Tour board and Monahan fatigue, LIV’s puny Hong Kong Course, and SGS Golf Advice

This Monday episode begins with a review of the puking down the stretch at the Palmetto Championship. Brendan and Andy discuss the Higgo potential, the Hadley gag, the Tain flick and attempted character assasination, DJ taking a dive to get out of town, and Brooks again saying he can’t focus for anything that’s not a major. There is also intel on Matt Fitzpatrick’s favorite time of year in Chicago, as well as his favorite restaurants. In contrast with that ugly play was the battle down the stretch at Lake Merced, where a Fin won for the first time on the LPGA, prompting dancing in the streets of Helsinki. On the KFT, they discuss a new and improved battlefield promotion proposal after Mito Pereira gets the call up after his third victory. On the LatinoAmerica Tour, a club pro makes a splash. News hits on Jon Rahm being cleared to get out of isolation. They close with a quick chat on the potential for the USGA putting Brooks and Bryson together when pairings are announced on Tuesday.

14 Kesä 202141min

This special Spotlight episode ahead of U.S. Open week is dedicated to Lee Trevino. This is Part 1 of what will likely, hopefully be a two-part Spotlight. It begins with the nuts and bolts of Trevino’s resume and career accomplishments before launching into his background and upbringing in poor conditions outside of Dallas. It covers his trademark swing, how he got into the game from destitute circumstances, his time in the Marines, and his path onto Tour golf. That path is due in part to qualifying for and then succeeding at the U.S. Open his first few times around the national championship. This episode covers his first three major wins, the U.S. Open at Oak Hill, the U.S. Open at Merion in a playoff against Jack Nicklaus, and his first Open Championship at Birkdale. It also covers the origins of his antipathy towards the Masters, and many more side tales. Thanks to the U.S. Open Victory Club (join that here) for supporting this Spotlight work and making these episodes possible.

13 Kesä 20211h 50min

This Friday episode opens with a discussion on the proliferation of craft burger places, as well as the amusement over the animated Andy that appeared in the big Golf Digest article featuring him. Then they get to the Palmetto Championship, where Brendan’s one-and-done pick, Monday qualifier Tain Lee, is on absolute fire. They discuss, with moderate confusion, the Pomona colleges where he went and put all Shotgunners officially on #TainWatch for the rest of the week. Andy scours the bottom of the leaderboard with disgust, highlighting the bushels of players that should have been bounced for KFT talents. There are also some reports from the ground about the excellent conditioning. News hits on our first social media video of the rough at Torrey Pines, which leads to a proposal that all OEMs be banned from event grounds. Precision Pro Flashback Friday takes you down the path of a South Carolina resident that holds an impressive (or ignominious based on your point of view) record that Westy may match next week.

11 Kesä 202153min

It’s the second recording of the day for Brendan and Andy so they are a little punchy. They begin with one of the most absurd and incongruous pairings they can ever recall for a field at the Palmetto Championship that is later dubbed in the episode as a “shit sandwich.” Andy runs through some of his “featured” groups, they cover three things to watch, and discuss Tom Fazio’s Congaree. There’s also the matter of Fazio being credited as the designer of not just Congaree but also Augusta National. The event of the week is given to Scandinivian Mixed, a cool concept across the pond. News is basically a segment on the PGL and its very public rolling out in both the press and on its new website, which is full of amusements.

9 Kesä 202151min

This special Tuesday episode recaps U.S. Open Final Qualifying, whipping around from site to site with some amusing anecdotes. They begin with a #scoop on how this 2021 U.S. Open may have to be played under protest thanks to an indiscriminate slow play penalty handed out at one qualifying site that cost a Tour pro his spot in the championship. Then they praise, somewhat, Rickie Fowler’s approach to qualifying, sticking around an extra day in Columbus and playing in a 12-man playoff for a second alternate spot. There’s debate over the players who WD and if there should be a penalty for not riding it out.  With several hot KFT pros qualifying, an old but angrier take is rekindled after Brendan and Andy discover there’s a Korn Ferry Tour event opposite the U.S. Open. They conclude by picking a few qualifiers they think could actually contend and some potential alternate sites that could be put in the rotation in the future.

8 Kesä 202148min

This is a packed Monday episode that begins with praise for Yuka Saso’s playoff victory to become the youngest U.S. Women’s Open champion. Her early double bogey run, her late comeback, her playoff tightrope walk, and her emotional interview are all discussed. Then Brendan and Andy get to Lexi Thompson, discussing the appropriate use of the word “choke,” which was not heard on the broadcast with Johnny Miller off enjoying retirement. Brendan recalls the inevitability of the collapse that felt so brutal, while Andy has a theory on why it started to unravel on the back nine. They discuss NBC’s coverage of both Lexi’s collapse and the move to Golf Channel for the end of the playoff. The Memorial discussion largely focuses on Jon Rahm’s positive COVID test and WD, as well as another round of Brooks-Bryson feuding that may have led to the Tour getting involved. Is it bullying or crossing some sort of line? They wrap with a shoutout to a couple Canucks, the KFT GOAT, and sectional qualifying.

7 Kesä 20211h 11min

This late Friday episode was plagued by technical difficulties but should see the light of day in some form or fashion. Andy and Brendan begin with their reactions to the primetime and commercial-free U.S. Women’s Open on Thursday night. Andy has a new affinity for a watchmaker, while pondering an amount he’d pay annually for regular commercial-free golf. Then they get into their reactions to the early leaderboard and conditions at Olympic, where the quick ejection seems to be lurking. The Memorial discussion mostly focuses on Rickie’s eyesight issues and Xander Schauffele’s pointed comments about the armlock putting method. The NCAAs get a quick review, and there are some questions about Pepperdine being an underdog school. Sunny Kim is back in the winner’s circle and they are here to hail that chase for 80. They close with an Eye on Olympic focusing on Meghan Khang, who is T3 after the first round and whose family has one of the most improbable “American Dream” back stories in golf.

4 Kesä 202158min

This Wednesday episode goes long on the U.S. Women’s Open but begins with the in-progress NCAA finals, which will pit Oklahoma vs. Pepperdine on Wednesday night. There’s plenty of chatter on the Burly Boys and the age of Quade Cummins, and puzzlement over Grayhawk getting to host for three years. Then it’s on to the major championship for the week, the U.S. Women’s Open at Olympic. Andy relays some intel from the grounds after being out in San Francisco this week. They discuss some comments from one veteran that this could be the hardest Women’s Open setup ever and that the young kids who can’t work the ball both ways may be in trouble. They propose their “best case scenarios” and also run through a few of their favorite tee times. On the PGA Tour, they react to Jack Nicklaus’ comments on the dramatic changes made to Muirfield Village, as well as the tinkering he’s already looking to do again. The close schedule for the week with the nightmare logistics problem has disrupted the Euro Tour.

2 Kesä 202152min