The Shotgun Start

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Phoenix debauchery gone too far?, Career Money exemption Charley, and LIV Vegas Feb 12, 2024

Show notes

This Monday recording was hastily arranged during halftime of the Super Bowl so apologies for the rambling nature. Andy and Brendan begin with some great golf that probably no one watched to finish off a very stop-and-start Phoenix Open. They discuss Charley Hoffman nearly winning on a career money exemption and whether that’s proof of its usefulness or proof it absolutely needs to be abolished ASAP. Then they discuss all the social media clips of all the debauchery throughout the Phoenix Open grounds, not just on or around the 16th hole. Has the event become too drunk? Is there anything that can or should be done? Will the players demand it be toned down or is this just how it’s going to be and that needs to be OK? They discuss LIV Las Vegas and its stout leaderboard that maybe went unnoticed on Saturday afternoon.

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Equity grants, Saudi threats, “Overrated” Spieth, and Tiger returns Feb 08, 2024

Show notes

It’s Friday! Here’s hoping you can get outside and enjoy some improving weather and listen to some easy tunes from revered artists like Dick Post. Andy and Brendan get to their plans for the weekend before hitting on all the latest golf news that has nothing to do with actual golf: Saudi threats of imprisonment and PGA Tour grants of equity. They ponder how this might all actually work in theory and in practice and if it starts to level the playing field at all for those who stayed and remained loyal to the PGA Tour. There’s also rumor of an “overrated” chant coming down from 16 toward one Jordan Spieth, which leads to a debate on who on LIV right now is better than him in OWGR or otherwise. News of Tiger’s return at Riv prompts a mini Flashback Friday to that one Phoenix Open he played, the one with the yips, with some context on just how BAD it got and how far he came after that. They close with some Golf Advice on an insufferable friend getting you access to great courses and another golf partner who you’d want nothing to do with if not for your wives’ friendship.

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LIV TV ratings, Tour tries for Phoenix boost, Questions about Post Malone Feb 07, 2024

Show notes

The weather has calmed a bit in Northern California, but things could be looking mucky for the influencer-palooza at the Phoenix Open. They begin with some clean up from Monday, where Pebble was called, Wyndham was declared the winner, and then he offered some candid quotes about weighing a LIV decision in the offseason. They ponder the current state of pro golf with these decisions and some of the payouts going to middling players for middling finishes. This is cause to discuss the hullabaloo around LIV’s ratings from Mayakoba: should we laugh at them or hat tip some of the jumps? Is it completely negligible against PGA Tour numbers? The schedule of the week hits on the Phoenix Open and its field after two more high profile WDs that have featured groups looking a little thin. Some one-and-done picks go chalk and off the beaten path to mix things up. They close with some more quotes from a PGA Tour star on if LIV players should be welcomed back without penalty.

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LIV’s big weekend during a PGA Tour Pebble washout, more Rory vs. Spieth Feb 05, 2024

Show notes

With high winds repeatedly blowing open the shed door, and no golf on the PGA Tour, many wondered whether this Monday episode would exist. But it’s here, and Andy and Brendan discuss the PGA Tour’s weather mess at Pebble Beach, where Wyndham Clark shot a course record but no golf was played on the first football-free Sunday since August. They discuss Clark’s 60 under preferred lies and the off chance that it will be the last and final round for this edition of the Pebble Pro Am. With no PGA Tour golf, LIV had a pretty significant opportunity in its season opener and seemed to succeed in capturing the attention during a quiet sports Sunday. Did they play it perfectly? Is the product any better? Does it still feel purpose-less or do you care more now? They close with more on the disagreement between Rory and Spieth on future PIF deals and the unification of golf, with further comments coming out from McIlroy on the matter and an apparent power move of removing himself from a player group text. Is non-board member Rory hurting the process or does he have the right to speak out on his frustrations?

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PGA Tour’s new billion dollar deal, PIF and LIV’s role, and player reactions Feb 02, 2024

Show notes

This beefy Friday episode begins with some amusements from Andy’s time at Pebble Beach, watching and betting on the hapless Ams trying to play the 17th hole in brutal winds. Eventually Brendan steers the ship onto the major news of the week, the PGA Tour’s announcement of a new company with $1.5 billion in investment from SSG and the impacts of a new for-profit entity with player equity. They have some amusing inside intel from Jay’s meeting with PGA Tour staff, the players Zoom call, and reaction from multiple sides both “celebrating” and ruminating on what this means for PIF involvement. That's the elephant in the room they discuss -- can players take the next step and now unify? They also discuss what this money will go towards and what these private equity sharks will expect. Rory McIlroy’s frustrated comments from earlier in the week are given a full rundown, and contrasted with Jordan Spieth’s press conference. There’s also reaction to LIV’s announcement about “every shot” coverage and the reasoning for Jon Rahm’s team being named Legion XIII as their season begins at Mayakoba.

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Pebble’s Signature debut, LIV’s return, and PIF deal progress? Jan 31, 2024

Show notes

This Wednesday episode begins with some Brendan positivity and a check-in from Andy in Pebble Beach, where he spent the day gathering #scuttlebutt. They discuss Jon Rahm’s debut with LegionXII(i) in LIV, his frame in the new uniforms, and an unsubstantiated rumor on his Carl Petterssen problem. They give their thoughts on Pebble getting that sweet Signature status, and Brendan has a follow-up to some of the field composition gripes. There are some critical one-and-done picks amidst further debates about Taylor Swift’s travel. They also discuss the recent, if any, developments on the PGA Tour’s progress toward a deal with the PIF. The notion of Anthony Kim being “overrated” is debated, as well as an update on if he’s really close to a comeback. The list of names on the new Player Advisory Council is also relayed before a sign off with sports minute.

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PGA Tour’s sluggish start, Pavon stomp-gate, and Signature exemptions gripes Jan 29, 2024

Show notes

Andy and Brendan get together in the middle of NFL conference championship Sunday to debrief on the weekend that was in golf. They bounce around on a variety of subjects both related and unrelated to golf, including the Ravens, Nelly Korda vs. Lydia Ko, the LPGA’s stringent Hall of Fame regulations, and more. Then on Torrey, they discuss the lumbering start to the PGA Tour season that now counts Mathieu Pavon among its winners. They discuss a troubling social media video of Pavon appearing to stomp around in the rough before hitting his shot-of-the-year style approach into 18 for the winning birdie. They also discuss the exemption roulette for Signature events, with some categories double dipping to keep two HUGE names out of the Pebble field for the Swing 5 category. The close is a mishmash of chatter on the Pissbear’s win, some swing teacher legends mad about the teacher rankings, their favorite 4A guys, and a new Masters ad without the music.

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Anthony Kim back!?, LIV signings and bunglings, and Dunlap goes pro Jan 26, 2024

Show notes

Andy and Brendan have left Orlando so they reconvene from separate coasts for this Friday edition of the Shotgun Start. They ramble around at the top about some PGA Show observations as well as Aldrich Potgieter’s big KFT win before jumping into the larger (but less burly) news item that Anthony Kim is planning a return to professional golf. It’s unclear where exactly that golf will be played, either LIV or the PGA Tour, but the return is predicated on a guaranteed payout upfront so they wonder how that might work on the PGA Tour. So will AK be coming to LIV? While they’re on LIV, they express some concern about many details seemingly up in the air with the season starting in about a week. Teams need to be filled and communication is scant. Also, there are some nuggets on the state of the deal, how far apart the PIF and PGA Tour might be, and whether Rahm went to LIV with the expectation that a union was much closer than it appears. Nick Dunlap’s announcement to turn pro is also covered, with some intel on the PGA Tour sweating a potential defection until the final minutes. They close with an SGS Golf Advice segment that tells the tale of another trip to the Golf Club of Lebanon, the infamous story from a prior Advice segment.

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A new The Match, CBS returns, World Tour debates, and sketchy Signature exemptions Jan 24, 2024

Show notes

Andy and Brendan are together again in Orlando and they begin with some unsubstantiated rumors gleaned from their travels -- one about the TGL and another about a new TV show focused on golf. Then they get to some PGA Show expectations and anticipation before transitioning to the schedule for the week, which focuses on the Farmers, its field, and its future. This leads to another brief World Tour discussion and a drive-by of delusional Keith Pelley. There’s also excitement over the return of CBS. They also discuss news of The Match coming to The Park in West Palm Beach and including two LPGA stars -- what it means for golf and the series overall going to a public facility. They close with some questions about a new Champions Tour event that leads into an amusing caddie story about looping for a Bears legend.

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Dunlap makes history, Rory wins in Dubai, and Thirst Bucket of the Week Jan 22, 2024

Show notes

What a weekend in professional golf! Andy and Brendan get together for their usual Monday episode recapping it all, starting with an amateur winning on the PGA Tour for the first time in 33 years. They discuss Nick Dunlap’s win at the American Express and if they were more surprised it happened or that it took this long. They also debate whether he should turn pro right now or play out his spring season with Alabama. Other AmEx recap subjects include JT’s performance and Brandel’s performance in the booth. There is also a hearty Thirst Bucket of the Week debate and a quick Tosti Tale. Then they get to Rory McIlroy’s win in Dubai and his longevity of elite performance and winning. They also contrast the DP World Tour presentation with the PGA Tour’s later in the day. They close with some thoughts on Lydia Ko’s win, the Alker boy, and the LAAC.

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