Canadian Open agonies, Rory’s driver conundrum, and SOakedmont again

It’s a light schedule for the week, but that does not mean there’s nothing to talk about on this Wednesday episode of the Shotgun Start. Andy and Brendan begin with a few notes on the East Lake Cup, including if Oklahoma has a recruiting advantage when it comes to burly recruits, like linebackers or QBs preferring a certain school. Then it’s on to the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, which boasts quite possibly the worst field in the history of the PGA Tour. Whether it’s cost of travel, vaccine requirements, or some other reason, it’s not even a full field with alternates dropping like flies. Andy combs the bottom of the field for a quiz game on whether or not a specific player in this field has had a *top 25* on *any* OWGR-eligible tour in the past five years. They ponder some potential SGS favs who could find a little rejuvenation ala Brendon Todd and Brian Gay, the winners here the first two years. It’s 30 minutes or so of laffs, incredulity, and analysis you didn’t know you needed, and may still not need, on the Butterfield Bermuda Championship.

27 Okt 202143min

This delayed Monday episode is full of life, extracting every ounce out of a global golf weekend on multiple tours. But first, there are ample details and discussion on an attempted garage sale at Andy’s house over the weekend. What kind of people show up? Were golf items of note parted with to some uncaring new owner? Then it’s on to the Zozo Championship, where Hideki Matsuyama won in front of his home fans. They discuss the import of that, the extravagant framing of it, the lack of buzz in the U.S. around the event, and why this should be a must-play primetime event on the schedule for the top players. Jin Young Ko’s brilliance is then highlighted, including a discussion on an impactful quote from her about her mental health struggles early this year. Bernhard Langer’s incredible achievement on the Senior Tour is appreciated, but not without multiple shots at the Tour in general, as well as Phil’s grumpiness at the tournament. The Euro Tour’s winner prompts a confession about the functional “utility of kids” after his kid got him unlocked from the bathroom in time to make his tee time. The laughable report about Greg Norman becoming head of the Saudi League is discussed, before a lengthy final segment on Q school players advancing.

25 Okt 20211h 1min

Our Q4 Friday guest series continues with the great Justin Ray, perhaps the only *essential* follow in all of golf twitter. The premise of the chat was for Justin to edify us on some players who made significant improvements, or “leaps,” over the last year. We start with that, but then it quickly bounces around on a bunch of different, and interesting!, topics. We discuss the continued importance of distance, some strokes gained flaws, data walls at the majors, his beloved Houston Astros, the threshold for putting “proficient at Excel” on your resume, and much more. Thanks so much to Justin for his time and enlightening us.

22 Okt 202153min

This Wednesday episode is a quick whip through the schedule for the week, starting with the Zozo Championship on the PGA Tour. Andy laments the no-cut status and the notion that the PGA Tour is sending its worst kind of product to a market that every player should play in during the season. During this discussion, the new Australia event for pros and amateurs is praised, while a larger concern about that historic golf market being somewhat left behind on the greatest pro stages is raised. Also, is Rickie the player with the most to gain from these sleepy fall events, or is it “European Rickie”? The first leg of the Schwab Cup is noted, with defending champ Phil Mickelson in the field. Some “notables” from both KFT and LPGA q-schools are discussed as well, including Dr. Jack’s boy. They close with news on one college player signing with an agency for NIL matters before a technical issue forces an abrupt ending.

20 Okt 202133min

This Monday episode begins by reacting to Rory McIlroy’s rousing weekend in the desert, where he got to 25-under for his 20th PGA Tour victory. Begins is probably the wrong word, because before the Rory chat, there’s ample discussion about some of these ridiculous scores, ample eagles, and the Summit challenge, including Rory’s own comments that the Tour would be happy to give the course back to the members and the owner. There’s a debate on whether a plaque (not necessarily the CJ plaque) is the worst kind of award memento you can receive, even worse than a ribbon? Rickie’s resurgence is also praised as a possible sign of things to come. The coverage catastrophe is given its due, as the SAS Championship and senior circuit gets its moment, the one no one but them wanted. Matty Fitz’s victory in Spain is reviewed, with some side discussion on what Paddy Harrington must be thinking watching two of his players take down trophies on Sunday.

18 Okt 202134min

This Friday episode begins with some reaction to Phil’s indignant tweets about the news of the USGA rule on driver length, and a not-so-subtle threat at his own PGA Tour for adopting it. Then Brendan and Andy are joined by European correspondent for Golf Digest (among many other things), the legendary John Huggan to discuss a variety of topics from across the pond. First, they ask John about his close friendship with and memories of Renton Laidlaw, the voice of the European Tour who died this week. Then they banter on the “strategic alliance” and what it means for the Euro Tour, its players, and its future schedule. Europe’s Ryder Cup future, both the roster and its captains, is discussed. They close with some wildly amusing tales about John’s playing days. There’s plenty of historical and big picture thoughts on the game mixed in as well so many thanks to John for his time.

15 Okt 202149min

This Wednesday episode promptly goes off topic, discussing the “preemptive” rain delay in Chicago, October not being as good as September, and if the rules of golf are actually not that bad compared to the officiating and umpiring conundrums we’re watching every weekend now. Then Brendan and Andy begin with an early news segment, discussing the new USGA local rule limiting driver length to 46 inches and what it means for Tour golf, among others. Then they discuss the PGA Tour bumping the Players purse to $20 million as well as providing essentially a “travel stipend” to the lower rank-and-file members in what’s basically a golf pro union. JR Smith’s first foray into competitive college golf is reviewed, and any and all critiques are addressed. Then it’s on to the schedule for the week, starting with the CJ Cup, which will take place at a new venue in the desert that’s not ‘typical desert golf,’ if such a type even exists. There are 3 things to watch there, and more on the Euro Tour’s return to another “so bad it’s good” venue.

13 Okt 202149min

This punchy Monday episode reacts to a Bears win, a Browns loss, and a healthy serving of worldwide golf over the weekend. Andy and Brendan begin by pondering if the biggest star was not playing on the PGA Tour this week but up with the Seniors, and what that means for both circuits. They discuss Sungjae Im’s win in Vegas and the potential for him to be the best men’s Korean player ever. Adam Schenk somehow becomes the subject of a segment. Rafa Cabrera Bello’s career is put in the crosshairs (that’s probably too strong a term for it) after winning his national open. And in the event of the week, the Jin Young Ko machine rolled on in New Jersey.

11 Okt 202135min