Bay Hill bromides, Rory’s ‘punch drunk,’ and ample Pillow Talk
It’s a Victory Monday of sorts at the Shotgun Start, which begins with some college basketball chatter. From there, it’s quickly into Bay Hill, where Scottie Scheffler is given his due as the new No. 1 player in the world. But the primary entree in the API reaction is on the course setup and high scores, reacting to Rory McIlroy’s critiques and some concerns that more players may start skipping it because it’s too hard a punch to the face. Andy and Brendan work through this in a back and forth, delineating between “so hard it’s boring,” firmness that’s interesting, and the dartboard of other weeks, with a few devil’s advocate challenges about the U.S. Open at more venerated courses. Billy Boy’s big week is also covered, as is the BFB’s honorable WD, the repeated Pillow Talk on the broadcast, and the Arnie hagiography. Jin Young Ko is praised, the PR Open is questioned, and the Champions Tour is acknowledged. News hits on Bryson’s WD from THE PLAYERS.
7 Mar 202255min
PIP reactions and KVV with #FBF on Phil Mickelson’s deluded pro baseball tryout
ESPN Senior Writer Kevin Van Valkenburg joins this early “Friday” episode with some delightful insights on golf news past and present. The trio begin with reaction to the final PIP results announcement, from Tiger deciding to poke Phil about his premature celebration to Bubba Watson sneaking in the backdoor top 10 to the Hideki omission. At Bay Hill, Rory’s comments on starting to welcome Phil back into the tent and forgiving him are inspected closely. The Masters Fact of the Day makes its triumphant return as does Flashback Friday. For this one, KVV requested Andy and Brendan come in cold as he takes them on a magical ride re-telling the mid-career boredom endeavor of Phil Mickelson believing, and actually trying, to pitch in high professional baseball, getting a tryout with the AAA Toledo Mudhens with begrudging approval from their major league affiliate Detroit Tigers. It’s a solid 20 minutes of cackling at some of the truly amazing quotes around the experiment that KVV dug up, so thanks to him for his time and contribution to the episode.
3 Mar 20221h 16min
Thicc Boi’s affliction, the PR detritus, and Captain ZJ’s picks
It’s an early Wednesday episode celebrating the arrival of March, a good if not great month. Andy and Brendan begin with a discussion on Bryson’s WD from Bay Hill, and his social media video full of fits and starts announcing it. It sounds like Bryson may be on the shelf for longer than this week, so the two ponder his injury, his career to date, and his post-bulk run. Then it’s on to the schedule for the week, where Brendan confesses that Bay Hill has a piece of his heart and Andy delights in the par-3s of all the same length. The oppo field event at Puerto Rico is a who’s who of the alternate list army, which is covered at length. They close with news, which primarily focuses on Zach Johnson as the new Ryder Cup captain, his hype video, and his retention of six captain’s picks.
1 Mar 202249min
The Phil cancellation, Lowry’s “stolen” Honda, and Todger tales
Well, it’s take two for this Monday episode after the original was lost to the technology trouble dustbin. Andy and Brendan, however worse for the wear they may be, gleefully hop in to discuss the Sepptic Tank’s maiden victory on the PGA Tour, Shane Lowry’s contention that it was stolen from him by the rain, and Daniel Berger’s woeful pre-putt routine. Also covered on the Honda is Tim Tucker seemingly back to full-time looping, and NBC back on the broadcast. Andy, of all people, expresses some empathy for Phil, which gets into the larger cancellation that may or may not be happening with the six-time major winner. Brendan also has a critique for Callaway’s “pause” of their marriage with Phil. The dump-in-a-box Classic is also given a half-full account.
28 Feb 202243min
We’ve surely come to jest
It’s Document Review Friday on the Shotgun Start, and Andy and Brendan begin with Norman the mailer sending yet another letter out into the void, addressed to one, but aimed at an audience for many. The Shark’s missive is dissected in full, with motivations, legal points, and the Tour’s weaknesses, considered throughout the chat. Then it’s on to Phil Mickelson’s “apology,” where they discuss when we might see the old Lefty again. Who do we see play next -- Tiger or Phil? A theme throughout both of these document discussions is how this became a collection of some of the worst possible elements that could have exploited legitimate Tour vulnerabilities. Both Andy and Brendan also debate whether this will make the tour feel more confident in how they have done things and double-down on that, or actually change. News hits on the JT-Jack design duo debuting at something called Panther National, ZJ getting the nod as Ryder Cup captain, and some delightful LPGA news. They close with Brendan’s review of The Woods·Jupiter after his much anticipated visit there on Monday.
25 Feb 20221h 10min
Honda down and out, and Brad Faxon chats the PGA Tour of the past (and putting)
This Wednesday episode begins with The Town Crier making some official proclamations about Phil Mickelson and his potential Ryder Cup captaincy future. Then it’s on to the schedule for the week, where Andy and Brendan discuss the struggling Honda Classic as one of the “have-nots” in this stretch of the schedule on the PGA Tour. Then Brad Faxon joins us for a wide-ranging chat from the B. Draddy bungalow in Jupiter with the Tour in town ahead of the Honda. Faxon discusses some of the best shots, players, and skills of his era on the PGA Tour, from Corey Pavin to Tiger Woods, and how the game has evolved since then. There’s also ample discussion on putting, the outlawing of greens reading books, and whether armlock putting should be banned too. (This episode was recorded jussst before Phil’s meandering apology, which will get a full accounting on Friday).
23 Feb 202253min
Chopped and screwed SGL, whither Phil, and an 81-shot spread
This Monday episode begins with Brendan down in the swamp pledging to go to The Woods Jupiter and Andy struggling to diversify his wardrobe in San Francisco. Then they quickly jump into the news of the day, that DJ was done dabbling with the Saudis, and Bryson was … issuing more mealymouthed statements. Were Phil Mickelson’s insane comments the precipitating event causing the DJ defection? And where does Phil go play now, if anywhere? At the Genesis, they praise Joaquin Niemann’s efforts, even though the weekend got a little flat at times. They marvel at the Chez stat line, as well as CBS continued run, Viktor’s alternate lines, and Rory piling on Phil before the week was out. They close with some ABSOLUTE delightful findings from their quick Champions Tour wrap.
21 Feb 202256min
Mickelson’s lost his marbles, ‘the kids’ rebuke the SGL, and “The Tugboat”
It’s a packed Friday episode and yet another one where the actual golf has receded into the background as the Saudi Golf League rumors continue at a fever pitch. Brendan and Andy begin with Phil’s comments to Alan Shipnuck, in which the 6-time major winner debases himself in probably the most shocking way since this entire ordeal and power struggle began. From there, they rumble through the many quotes coming from players young and old, for and against, from the last few days on the potential breakaway tour. They ponder a couple other big themes at play, like events consolidating, sponsors running away, and Augusta staying quiet in the background. A fun anecdote from the Riv range leads to a new nickname debate on “the wagon hitcher” or “the tugboat.” News hits on the PAC developments and a new fall concept, Annika playing the U.S. Women’s Open, and Tiger’s press conference. Precision Pro Flashback Friday is a quick homage to a venerable L.A. Open host of the past.
18 Feb 202258min
