The Shotgun Start

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LIV descends into chaos: Rahm rumors, Lawsuits, Unpaid players, and a makeshift finale in Indy Aug 19, 2026

Show notes

Summer may be coming to a (merciful) end for Andy and Brendan soon, but not before LIV Golf will finish its 2026 season and maybe entire existence! The two dive into all of the news surrounding this week's makeshift season-ending event in Indianapolis, covering the latest rumors about Jon Rahm's next move, reports of new lawsuits from vendors, and the fact that players have not yet been paid for their finishes at LIV New York. The Boys are already in the great town of Indianapolis and are being encouraged to go "full Woodward and Bernstein" at what may be LIV Golf's final event. PJ is not exactly up for this massive challenge and was looking forward to a week of bits, but things have gotten more serious than anticipated. Andy and Brendan wonder about what players like Jason Kokrak, Talor Gooch, and even Dustin Johnson do next if this is, in fact, the end of the road for LIV as we know it. On the PGA Tour, the once-Western Open heads to Bellerive for another week of sweaty playoff golf. Andy wants this event to break ties with its Western Open heritage and has absolutely no interest in discussing the golf course or the test at hand for the FedEx Cup top 50. Brendan runs through the rest of a loaded Schedule for the Week, including TWO Canadian events, another sponsor invite for Blockie, and the U.S. Senior Women's Open. To wrap things up, the two discuss the Walker Cup picks for Team GB&I before sending The Boys into the unknown at LIV Indy.

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Sheriff Scottie rolls in sweaty Memphis, Debating the Merion exam at U.S. Am, and Spieth “runs out of time” Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

Against all odds, The Sheriff has returned to the winner's circle on the PGA Tour. Andy and Brendan discuss a loaded weekend of golf, recapping a rainy U.S. Amateur final, Scottie's sweaty weekend in Memphis, and a full 54 holes from an injured Michael Block! They begin with the U.S. Am at Merion, debating the course's merits as a championship venue in today's game before breaking down the U.S. Walker Cup team selections. Brendan also shares perhaps his favorite story of the year - Ribeye-Gate - which might have cost Jay Leng the win against Jack Whaley. As it turns out, the youths did not learn from a grizzled veteran like Sergio Garcia. Sheriff Scottie took Sgt. Sam Burns for a ride along on Sunday at the FedEx St. Jude, running away from the field despite some petty theft by a rogue sprinkler-head early in the round. Despite a strong effort from Jordan Spieth, only Sungjae Im moved inside the top 50 in the season-long standings to secure Signature Event status for 2027. Andy and Brendan run through Spieth's post-round comments about "being close," and dive into Rory McIlroy's belief that he needs a miracle to be in contention next week at Bellerive. The two recap some more results from the weekend before previewing The Boys' upcoming trip to Indianapolis for LIV Indy, where they hope to have lunch with Ian Poulter and much, much more.

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Resigned over Rahm, Merion madness, and Spieth signs of life Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

An "invigorated" Brendan kicks off this Friday episode with some observations from two days at Merion Golf Club as the 2026 U.S. Amateur has now reached the match play rounds. He and Andy discuss the early results and they wonder if the USGA should re-seed the bracket to avoid top players facing each other too early. Brendan also passes along some feedback from the ground about Wednesday's segment regarding Ben Hogan's famous one-iron, but Andy doubles down on the fact that the plaque could be better served commemorating a different moment from Hogan's round. The two debate Merion's status as a top-tier championship venue and whether it could host a U.S. Open given its current setup, with more to come on this topic on Monday. In Memphis, Jordan Spieth is out to an early lead at the FedEx St. Jude as he looks to finish in the top ten for the first time this season. Rory McIlroy turned in a 74 in his first competitive round since Birkdale, but he'll have to suffer through three more days of the heat given this is a no-cut event. On Thursday morning, James Corrigan reported that LIV officials were "resigned" to the fact that Jon Rahm will not return for the 2027 season, seemingly setting him up for a full year on the DP World Tour instead. Andy and Brendan discuss what this means for LIV 2.0 and its possible lone star, Bryson DeChambeau. Lastly, Kevin Van Valkenburg once again joins for a B. Draddy Flashback Friday focusing on the 2000 Presidents Cup and a rivalry between Tiger Woods and a famous caddie.

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A real 5th major at Merion, PGA Tour Playoffs hype or boredom, and a Golf Twitter catastrophe Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

Yes, the Sweat Swing begins this week at TPC Initech, but the FedEx St. Jude does NOT receive Andy's Event of the Week honors! He bestows the title upon this week's U.S. Amateur at Merion, breaking down the early action with Brendan to kick off this Wednesday episode. Brendan is excited to hopefully take in some of the tournament in-person this week but wonders how, in the age of streaming everything, there's been no broadcast coverage of the stroke play rounds so far. The two run through some big names that won't be making it to match play and set up what should be a great weekend of golf at one of America's most iconic championship venues. There is a beefy (or sweaty?) preview of the FedEx St. Jude, complete with an updated weather forecast for Memphis, Tennessee! Andy's 5 Guys to Monitor This Week highlights a surprise appearance from one of the Tour's biggest stars, two Bubble Boys looking to make the Top 50, and one of the best dressed players in the field. The Schedule for the Week continues with the return of the DP World Tour and Michael Block's return stateside for this weekend's Boeing Classic on the Champions Tour. In perhaps the biggest news of the week, Brendan is tasked with explaining himself after getting ratioed on Twitter for just stating that Michael Kim has more followers than Rory McIlroy, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and even the New York Yankees(!) on the platform. We will return Friday with some more Bubble Boy discourse and whatever else presents itself in the next 48 hours of golf.

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A Blockie scandal hits the Senior Euro Tour, Bryson’s rambles on LIV’s future, and Wyndham works again Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

For the first time in SGS history, the Staysure Legends Tour leads the show! Three-plus years after he burst onto the scene with - according to one Golf Journalist - a "super enjoyable and insightful" walk-and-talk at Oak Hill, Michael Block has done it again. Andy and Brendan are giddy to discuss the latest in Blockiemania, a DISQUALIFICATION from the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship in Scotland. As first reported by Ryan French of Monday Q Info, Blockie walked off the course on the 12th hole of Sunday's round after he had already been penalized for showing up late to his tee time. Brendan is in disbelief that Michael Block is still making headlines in August of 2026 and Andy isn't buying Blockie's Instagram Story explanation for walking off the course. Eventually they move on to the Wyndham Championship, where Michael Brennan finally made good on all of the hype after his win at Black Desert last fall. Brennan shared an emotional moment with his mother on the 18th green following his win at Sedgefield and practically turned this PGA Tour event into a Masters ad that could be used for years to come. Andy and Brendan take a look at the Top 70 of the FedEx Cup rankings as we move into the Sweat Swing, with Jackson Koivun making the cut on the number after an up-and-down Sunday round. At LIV New York, Joaquin Niemann extended his all-time lead in LIV victories, Jon Rahm secured another season-long championship, and Bryson got caught rambling about the "global game of golf" at a press conference. A brief bit of news rounds out this Monday episode, as both Andy and Brendan are stunned by a surprise entrant into the FedEx St. Jude as the all-important playoffs begin!

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LIV’s savior investor: real or fake? And Flashback Friday Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

Andy and Brendan! went LIVE on YouTube for a Summer Friday recording that recapped the latest news regarding LIV Golf's new "investment." The two discuss LIV CEO Scott O'Neil's initial announcement of an investor signing a terms sheet on Wednesday morning and the ensuing reports that have suggested that this "investment" might really just be a loan. Andy points out that the headlines would be radically different had the announcement been that LIV found a creditor instead of an investor, a spin on the news that is still confusing people days later. Brendan goes through a timeline of follow-up reporting from Axios, The Financial Times, and more to give a full scope of the current status of this "investment." The two wonder how Jon Rahm's massive contract will figure into these future equity negotiations, especially if he leaves the league after the conclusion of the 2026 season. It does seem like Bryson DeChambeau will be sticking around, but will his presence be enough for the reported investors, BC Partners, to actually foot the bill moving forward? After a lengthy LIV Minute, Brendan quizzes Andy on which states are NOT represented by participants at next week's U.S. Amateur before Kevin Van Valkenburg calls in for Flashback Friday. KVV brings a story from the first-ever Presidents Cup about Loren Roberts and a penalty that would set the golf world ablaze if it occurred next month at Medinah. Also contained in this episode is a debate about how many "real cities" are in the United States, courtesy of Andy and PJ's week in Chicago. Are we a country of just a bunch of nice towns?

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Wednesday Scramble: LIV Golf Survives? FedEx Ships Out from PGA Tour Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

Brendan Porath and Joseph LaMagna convene for a Wednesday Scramble to discuss breaking news in the golf world. On Wednesday morning, LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil announced that LIV has landed a lead investor, securing future funding of the league. In what capacity will the league operate moving forward? Brendan and Joseph discuss. Also covered, a report that TPC Southwind is not part of the PGA Tour's Championship Series vision, placing doubt on the future involvement of one of the Tour's longest-running sponsors, FedEx.

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Will Jon Rahm get his LIV money with bankruptcy looming, PGA Tour schedule drip, and losing Riviera Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

As LIV prepares for a potential bankruptcy filing, reports are flying that Jon Rahm will be one of the biggest creditors in such a move with a hefty portion of his contract still outstanding. Andy and Brendan bat around the latest round of ominous LIV unwinding news and debate the three-year folly that has been Rahm’s stay on LIV: what it’s meant for his golf career, his image, and his bank account, even if he doesn’t get the full amount. Then they move to the Wyndham Championship, the last regular season event on the PGA Tour and how the playoffs have “ruined” August for the rest of golf. They spotlight some bubble boys in a generally weak field with many top players already locking up playoffs status. Can Jackson Koivun get across the line and into the postseason? News hits on the daily drip of “Championship Series” events announcements by the PGA Tour, with Doral joining the party as the fifth confirmed event. They revisit the potential massive news that Riviera may no longer be an annual PGA Tour stop and what it means for pro golf in LA. They also discuss some reporting on the Challengers Series and the potential price tag for those events, in addition to news that there may be an overall umbrella sponsor for the tour, or series, itself.

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The “new era” of American golf, Lytham closes out 2026 majors, Cantlay lurks Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

The first Victory Monday of August belongs to the Ballfrogs! Andy, Noah Kahan, and Niall Horan are all celebrating today after Boston Common star Michael Thorbjornsen won the Rocket Classic for his first PGA Tour win. Brendan and Andy discuss the final event at Detroit Golf Club, which looked great on television following a renovation... just in time for the event to no longer exist! They take a look at the FedEx Cup standings heading into the final week of the regular season and try to put a stop to the "new era of American golf" talking points circulating after back-to-back wins by young stars. The two recap the final major of 2026, the AIG Women's Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes. Shiho Kuwaki took down Esther Henseleit in a playoff. After another major win by a Japanese player, Andy wonders why the LPGA does not spend more time or even move one of the five majors to Japan in order to capitalize on the country's growing dominance within the sport. PJ chimes in with a brief Champions Tour Minute to discuss Zatch's win at Ernie's Place before Andy recaps the weekend at the Western Am, including another stint on the bag for match play. In news, the Arnold Palmer Invitational has announced that it will be a Championship Series event in 2028, making Andy and Brendan wonder why the Tour is rolling out these announcements one by one on each different business day. Which event will be tapped for Championship status next? We'll have to wait and see!

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A mystery LIV rescue investor, Caddie corner, and SGS Golf Advice Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

A good old-fashioned Summer Friday episode has graced your feeds. Brendan is especially giddy after a 61(!) from Peppy Peter Malnati kicked off the final Rocket Classic. He and Andy discuss the PGA Tour’s new “silent feed” and other early returns from a new-look Detroit Golf Club. There is a bit of golf news to discuss, as the New York Post has reported that LIV will receive an investment of $250m at some point in September to keep the league afloat. Andy compares this number to the reported asks and offers to Bryson DeChambeau earlier this year and wonders if it’ll be enough sustain whatever “LIV 2.0” may be. After “Caddie Minute” on Wednesday’s episode, Andy was called into duty by an Illini star at the Western Am. He takes Brendan through his day on the bag and implores anyone in the area to attend the final days of the event this weekend. Speaking of caddies, Charley Hull proudly pranked her looper into thinking he won $100,000 on a scratch-off. Brendan and PJ can’t believe that she’d proudly discuss this with anyone, much less during a major-week press conference, but Andy claims the world needs more pranks. There are no pranks discussed in a lengthy Golf Advice segment to round out this week of shows, but Andy and Brendan do answer questions about golf travel, bookies, and more!

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