Wyndham Clark anger, Olympic sport gatekeeping, and Golf Advice

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.

10 Elo 20201h 6min

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).

9 Elo 20201h 9min

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.

8 Elo 202045min

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.

7 Elo 202058min

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.

5 Elo 202034min

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.

4 Elo 20201h 4min

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.

3 Elo 20201h 1min

This Friday episode begins with a discussion on Brooksy and his opening 62 as a sign that major season is nigh. Is he back? Did he ever leave? Is he really actually an “afterthought?” Brendan and Andy discuss his current place in the game as well as some amusing quotes in a Golfweek interview on his alleged friendship with DJ and the lack of importance PGA Tour events possess for his career goals. Then they get to the Kraken vs. the Ants and ponder whether Bryson runs the risk of becoming “The boy who cried relief.” They discuss his preposterous posturing and revelatory, in all the unintended ways, quotes after the round about it. The Cuda and Euro Tour events are given some attention and a theory is posited for why Jazzy J is DFL in Memphis. Also, why was Rickie in the MA Jimenez congratulatory video and how did the caddie “Pepsi” from that infamous MAJ confrontation get his nickname. News hits on Webb Simpson’s contention that architects are to blame for the distance issue, DL3 getting run from CBS, and JDay splitting with another member of his team. Andy also makes sure to get off a theory that the NBA is also much better without fans.

31 Heinä 202046min