The Shotgun Start

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A rollback case in Detroit, Morikawa media dust-up, and The Cleeks “rebrand” aspirations Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

Whiparound Fridays return as Andy and Brendan cover the 2025 NBA Draft, Collin Morikawa's latest media beef, and a massive Cleeks profile in Forbes in this episode. Sports Minute kicks off with some frustration from Andy about the Bulls front office and how they've handled the NBA Draft as of this recording. It was ball-in-hand on Thursday at the Rocket Classic, resulting in the course record being broken by Burly Boy Aldrich Potgieter and Kevin Roy, son of Patirck. Andy's one-and-done pick Min Woo Lee had the early lead with a 63 and followed up his round with some interesting comments to the media. Brendan and Andy discuss why this event at Detroit Golf Club exemplifies the need for a rollback and shine some light on the issues highlighted by Dr. Chipinski. In other Detroit news, Collin Morikawa has another new caddie and some beef with a media member following an article published on Wednesday. The Cleeks have decided to "rebrand" themselves in an effort to become as culturally relevant as Jordan, Ferrari, and the New York Yankees and Cleeks lifer Brendan is loving what he's hearing from his team's new leadership. There's a brief check-in on the U.S. Senior Open before things wrap up with two Golf Advice questions as we hit peak member-guest season.

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Is the Tour coming for its cut of the majors, 313 charity recession, and Rocket gets deep Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

This Wednesday episode is an in-person recording on Long Island as Andy and Brendan pregame the 2025 Fried Egg Golf Club Member-Guest. Instead of beginning with any golf news, methods of transportation are ranked following Andy's early-morning drive across the island. It's a huge week on the PGA Tour as Area 313 is BACK for the Rocket (not Mortgage) Classic! This year's field is the deepest in tournament history with players vying for Ryder Cup and FedEx Cup points. Brendan puts his investigative reporting hat back on and calls this year's Area 313 charity giveaways into question. Picks are made and PJ is calling for a "now-or-never" week for NYGC superstar Cameron Young. Elsewhere, it's another Senior Tour major as the U.S. Senior Open takes place in Colorado without defending champion Dick Bland. The LPGA is running their team event and the DP World Tour takes on the Italian Open. In news, a Joe Ogilvie interview in Sports Illustrated alludes to the PGA Tour potentially looking for a cut of TV deals for major championships and more.

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Playing Captain Keegan, Fleetwood’s anguish, and LPGA anger about PGA Frisco Jun 23, 2025

Show notes

Andy and Brendan are fired up for four months full of Ryder Cup discourse following Captain Keegan Bradley's win at the Travelers! They discuss the impact of this win on the American Ryder Cup team on both the captaincy, which Bradley said he would not relinquish, and the back half of the roster for Bethpage Black. The two also talk through Tommy Fleetwood's latest runner-up finish on the PGA Tour after failing to convert the 54-hole lead for what would have been his first career win in America. With Signature Events wrapped up, Brendan shares some #data on sponsor exemptions into these events and the results may shock you! From there, Andy goes deep on the course setup for the KPMG Women's PGA at PGA Frisco. Minjee Lee was able to separate from the pack and win her third career major championship, but many players were outspoken about an "unfair" setup. PJ chimes in with some blow-by-blow of the Kaulig Companies Championship where Miguel Angel Jimenez took down Steven Alker in a playoff. To wrap things up, some scuttlebutt from the ground at Travelers is shared regarding the most famous member of TPC River Highlands, Chris Berman.

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Wyndham’s ‘apology,’ Viktor Hovland joins to chat new Tour CEO, and Fair Policing in Hartford Jun 20, 2025

Show notes

This is an episode full of Friday whimsy, covering the Chicago Cubs, Wyndham Clark's antics, Sheriff Scottie's department expanding, and more. Andy and Brendan run through an "apology" from Wyndham in the aftermath of destroying a locker at Oakmont and how he turned this moment into a plea for a spot on the Ryder Cup team. The two also discuss Scottie Scheffler's comments from Wednesday's press conference at the Travelers regarding what he considers a "fair test" on the PGA Tour. Speaking of the Travelers, Jordan Speith withdrew with a new injury and Adam Schefter took over Thursday's broadcast with some insane PGA-NFL comparisons. Leaderboard updates are provided for the Women's PGA Championship and Champs Tour at Firestone, where PJ's pick of Thomas Bjorn is fighting for dead last. To wrap up this episode, Brendan chats with Viktor Hovland about Brian Rolapp, Jay Monahan, Oakmont, and his favorite fruit.

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PGA Tour’s new CEO from NFL, Monahan’s LONG goodbye, and U.S. Open apologies? Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

Andy and Brendan are back home after a week in Pittsburgh (which some have called the No. 1 city in Ohio) and begin this episode with some U.S. Open cleanup. They double back on some takes from Sunday's show regarding J.J. Spaun possibly being a "flukey winner" and the Sam Burns rule situation on the 15th hole of Sunday's round. After closing up shop on Oakmont, attention turns to Tuesday's announcement of Brian Rolapp as the first-ever CEO of the PGA Tour. Andy and Brendan run through Rolapp's background as a longtime NFL executive and discuss the plan to "sunset" Jay Monahan at the end of 2026. Picks for this week's Travelers Championship are made, with the added bonus of new headset microphones in rotation! There's some Don Rea chatter ahead of the KPMG Women's PGA in Frisco and more men's major championship golf is on your televisions this weekend at the Kaulig Companies Championship at Firestone. Be sure to tune in to CBS Sports Network on Wednesday for the debut of "Eye on Golf" at Noon ET!

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Sunday at the U.S. Open: Chaos Golf, a Rough Quandary, and Fair Policing Jun 16, 2025

Show notes

Andy and Brendan! return to the Ecco House after a Sunday at rainy Oakmont Country Club. The two recap J.J. Spaun's win at the 125th U.S. Open, his first major championship victory. They recount a chaotic Sunday with nearly a dozen players in true contention throughout the afternoon and provide final takeaways from the week at Oakmont. Deputy Sam Burns gets put under the microscope after fading from the lead, Cameron Young got PJ's hopes up yet again, and even Sheriff Scottie Scheffler was somewhat involved in this final round. Andy and Brendan also commend Adam Scott for his efforts despite losing what may be his final chance at a second major. Tune in to "Eye on Golf with The Shotgun Start" on CBS Sports Network on Wednesday at Noon ET for more U.S. Open cleanup!

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Saturday at the U.S. Open: "Deputy Sam," Scott throws it back, and Rory talks Jun 15, 2025

Show notes

Sheriff's Deputy Sam Burns has the solo lead after 54 holes at the 2025 U.S. Open! Andy and Brendan made it back from Muddy-mont and recapped a Saturday filled with slips and slides on and off the course. They talk Adam Scott turning back the clock and contending at his 24th U.S. Open, J.J. Spaun's inability to go away, and a loitering Viktor Hovland despite struggles off-the-tee. Scottie Scheffler is deemed "too far back" to win the title after 72 holes, but Cameron Young is a potential dark-horse contender following his best iron play of the year. Rory spoke to the media about speaking to the media, opening a discussion on his week as a whole. Finally, Jason Day shared he roots for half of the AFC North and an ad read sends things off the rails heading into Sunday.

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Friday at the U.S. Open: Angry Boys, Big names bomb out, and Leaderboard unease Jun 14, 2025

Show notes

Andy and Brendan went live in front of a studio audience at Local Remedy Brewing in Oakmont to recap the second round of the 2025 U.S. Open. They discuss an... interesting... leaderboard heading into the weekend, headlined by Sam Burns after a Friday 65. The two share some worry about the current situations unfolding and debate what the best-case and worst-case scenarios are come Sunday night. They two then run through the big names who won't see the weekend, including Bryson DeChambeau, Shane Lowry, and Ludvig Åberg. There's some scuttlebutt from the grounds, some live audience interaction, and much more whimsy on this Friday the 13th recording.

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Thursday at the U.S. Open: Who's the real leader, Rough laments, and Early disappointments Jun 13, 2025

Show notes

After a day on the ground at Oakmont, Andy and Brendan went live to share their thoughts from the first round of the 2025 U.S. Open. J.J. Spaun is in the lead at -4, so the two first debate who the "real" leader of the tournament is. Andy settles on a resurgent Brooks Koepka, sitting at -2, and is eyeing Jon Rahm at -1 a bit further down the board. Brendan shares some takeaways from following Spaun's second nine before transitioning to some course talk. The two discuss Thursday's pin placements, the setup "begging" for a fluke winner, and have some rough thoughts percolating already. Scottie, Rory, and Bryson are covered, with each finishing the first round over par. Games Within the Game are updated after some early commanding leads as well. Big Shot Bob MacIntyre had some critical quotes following his even-par round and Brendan loved what he was hearing. To close things out, the two look ahead to Friday and where the cutline might end up.

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A U.S. Open preview from Pittsburgh Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

Andy and Brendan are bouncing after a full two days at Oakmont and ready to debrief in this burly episode previewing the 2025 U.S. Open. They begin with some initial thoughts on Pittsburgh and their first couple days at Oakmont. There’s a wide ranging discussion on the golf course and some of the immediate impressions on just how difficult it will be, where it will pop the best, how to avoid disasters, and if it can get away with tricks just based on its reputation. They run through some of the favorites like Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy, and Jon Rahm and some of the amusing, alarming, and affirming quotes and trends from top players. As is tradition, they run through their favorite tee times, and offer the “worst” tee time for the first two rounds. They empty out the notebook with other delights and scuttlebutt from the ground before bringing in The Boys to chat about their interview with Cam Young, a day caddying alongside Bryson, and a debate over some games within the game. There’s also a big announcement about a new SGS endeavor coming next week with CBS Sports.

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