Apologies, Big boy catnip, and both letter economy and vowel eradication
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.
19 Tammi 202239min
Hideki gets on his horse, Na beef, and Bryson’s Netflix altruism
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.
17 Tammi 202234min
A chat with the producers of Netflix’s new golf series
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.
14 Tammi 202252min
Halas Hall happenings, Backboard comebacks, and an all-time shhedule for the week
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.
12 Tammi 202241min
Cam’s “regression,” Birdie fest brouhahas, and the Memphis blender
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.
10 Tammi 202245min
Putting the P in PXG, ESPN’s curious calculations, and Bryson’s cap
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.
7 Tammi 202229min
Hemisphere debates, carbon drivers, and asking the tough questions on Kapalua field
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.
5 Tammi 202257min
PIP Paranoia and a 2022 Prospectus
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.
2 Tammi 202254min
