The Shotgun Start

Latest Episodes:

Rahm LIV rumors and Year in Review, Part 2 Nov 23, 2023

Show notes

Andy and Brendan recorded this prior to the Thanksgiving holiday in the USA, planning for primarily a Year in Review episode. But news and rumors intervened, so they discuss Jordan Spieth joining the PGA Tour board in Rory’s seat, rampant “rumors” of Jon Rahm going to LIV, and the schedule release for that LIV tour. Then they get to the 2023 Year in Review, Part 2, with some wildly entertaining nuggets from the dawn of the Designated events, the dawn of the 2023 LIV season in Mexico, and Tiger’s brief 2023 stay on Tour during Riviera.

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The 2023 Year in Review, Part 1 Nov 22, 2023

Show notes

Andy and Brendan are back for one their least favorite but also most enjoyable exercises of the year: it’s the SIXTH annual Year in Review! And they are maybe, kinda out ahead of it this time, although that could all change quickly if their pace of play slows to crawl. This first installment begins as always at the start of the year in Kapalua, where Collin consults with the Chip Monk and new armada of coaches. It runs from that first event through the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and features a handful of delights and amusements you may remember but likely forgot from the always eventful start of the year swing. This is the usual SGS approach to the year in review, focusing more on the amusing, inane, and extraordinary and it will continue to roll out over the next several weeks in multiple parts to be enjoyed at your convenience during the holiday season.

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Azinger ousted, Ludvig arrives, and Tour wants tourneys to pay up more Nov 20, 2023

Show notes

Brendan begins this Victory Monday with a declaration that the Browns are going to the playoffs while Andy considers a potential visit to the midwest for the Browns-Bears game in December. Then they get to the news from Sunday morning that Paul Azinger is not coming back to NBC and Golf Channel next year. They ponder some replacements, especially if the “has to have won a major” unwritten rule is still in effect. Then they get to the win of Ludvig Aberg and the continued youth movement, aided by PGA Tour U. A disconcerting article on the PGA Tour asking tournaments themselves to kick in more money, likely taking it out of charitable contributions, is also covered with a raised eybrow. Tiger’s return is noted, too, before a rambling finish on Brooksy, the TGL dome, and some other news items.

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Hit ‘Em Up Lanto, TGL Arena deflates, and Rory resigns from PGA Tour board Nov 16, 2023

Show notes

It’s Friday! Andy and Brendan are ready to get to the weekend and a short holiday week with plenty of Year in Review research awaiting. They begin with pictures of the TGL “arena” deflating due to a power loss. Are we officially at the “show, don’t tell” phase of this ambitious endeavor? Or are we way past it? Then they get to LANTO Griffin calling out names, from Rory being “bought” while on the policy board to quick drive-bys of Jay, Collin Morikawa, and Justin Thomas. They also discuss Rory’s reason for resigning his spot on the board late on Tuesday night and the questioning of his motives. They also hit on new LPGA details from its commissioner, the new college golf rankings, and the LIV free agency period before closing with a quick Golf Advice segment.

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The Netflix Cup runneth over, A pro golf bubble of excess, Blockie makes an ace Nov 15, 2023

Show notes

It’s whiparound Wednesday, and Andy is confronting the possibility that he might have made a mistake adding a second dog to the house. Brendan begins with the Netflix Cup, an assault on the senses in a place that excels at that, Las Vegas. What was that? Who was it for? Was it good at all? They react as they watch and the Cup drags on. Then they bounce around on all manner of golf tidbits, from disputing a 100-hole “hike” at a par-3 course, the Tour’s absurd new pace of play policy which introduces a new acronym, Ale Tosti going to Japan, Atlanta Drive’s full roster, and Mike Block making another ace with the cameras rolling. There’s also ample time given to Frank Nobilo’s comments that “golf is in a weird space” right now with the amount of money given to a pro sport that is "outrated by volleyball." It is out of whack, but are we too far gone and will it course correct. They close with a schedule for the week and some deep thoughts about the mis-numbering of birthdays.

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Camilo’s win, Rory pops off on Cantlay-LaCava tussle, and Victory Monday! Nov 13, 2023

Show notes

It’s a jubilant Victory Monday at the Shotgun Start with a totally unexpected Browns win over the Ravens and Illinois perhaps finding its quarterback of the immediate future. It’s also a victory Monday for the PGA Tour, where Camilo Villegas won in Bermuda to back up the incredible story of Erik van Rooyen’s victory the week prior. They discuss this feat, Camilo’s perspective, and all the good the tour can offer even in these lesser events, just as long as they accept them for what they are. A wild rules situation at the Hong Kong Open is covered in detail, Lexi and Lydia missing the LPGA’s season finale, and Rory winning the Order of Merit on the Euro Tour make up the news section. Lastly, they close with some comments from McIlroy in an interview on his confrontation with Joe LaCava in which he calls Patrick Cantlay a “dick” and discusses their differences, which all comes ahead of PGA Tour board meetings.

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Substantive TGL details splash in Wired article, #FBF on “South Africa’s major”, Golf Advice Nov 09, 2023

Show notes

It’s a stuffed November Friday episode for Brendan and Andy, who is dreading the Bears playing in national primetime yet again. They meander from that into the lengthy Wired article on the tech and plans for TGL, which provided some of the most substantive details to date about what this is and what it might look like. This leads to a few different rants on the current silly season splash of money and the amount of oxygen it’s currently taking up alongside the Tour’s looming decision to get in bed with Private Equity or the Saudis. Brendan then brings back Flashback Friday to talk a bit about the Nedbank Challenge, this week’s Euro Tour event, and Corey Pavin’s 1995 win there as it tried to emerge from a tainted origin story. They close with SGS Golf Advice on strollers on the golf course and turning in a cheating partner that you have a close relationship with outside of golf.

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Rory wants the PIF, In-Out-Alternate for Butterfield, and Ballfrogs visit Fenway Nov 07, 2023

Show notes

This Wednesday episode begins with one more travel tale for 2023 as Andy recalls a particularly egregious neighbor on his plane ride home on Tuesday. There’s also some cycling culture follow-ups from Brendan before they get to the actual golf for the week. They begin with another round of TGL news, from the big Ballfrog rollout at Fenway to the sixth and final team setting up shop in great American metropolis of Jupiter, Florida. They also discuss Rory McIlroy’s comments about a preference to have the PIF involved with the future sorting of the PGA Tour, and how there seems to be some conflict among factions as that league tries to sort out its financial future. The latter half of the episode gets into schedule for the week with another rousing edition of In? Out? or Alternate? for the Butterfield Bermuda Championship.

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Travel tales, a great finish in Mexico, and unsubstantiated rumors Nov 06, 2023

Show notes

It’s a Monday in November, so this podcast rambles all over the place talking about some golf and non-golf topics. Andy and Brendan begin with some travel tales from the weekend, including a humorous hotel situation, miscalculated drive times, and questions about cyclists. Then they get to the WWT Championship in Mexico, where Erik van Rooyen capped off an incredible back nine with an even better post-win interview on the meaning of the week for him with a close friend near death. They discuss the purpose of these late fall events in light of that win, even if ratings and interest are minimal. There’s also some discussion of the Champions Tour and its purpose. There’s an unsubstantiated rumor about the next iteration of The Match. Andy claims Matteo Mannassero is Brendan’s muse for some reason. News hits on Framework Agreement details and PGA Tour players getting to play the LIV Q school event without punishment.

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Rahm leaves TGL as league prepares for launch, and is Tiger’s course too wide for Tour? Nov 03, 2023

Show notes

This Friday episode begins with a round of apologies for the schedule issues this week. But there’s also some blame game going around before they transition to a hybrid whiparound Wednesday and Friday chat. The first half begins with the firehose of news on TGL, where the Ballfrogs have a roster, Collin Morikawa has the chills, and Jon Rahm is exiting the stage before play even starts. They discuss the motivations for Rahm’s departure and if it means anything at all on the LIV front. There’s also a mix of amusement, criticism, and anticipation for what exactly this thing will look like. The second half of the episode hits on the PGA Tour event at Tiger’s course in Mexico, where the width of the fairways are yielding some eye-opening stats. They close it out with SGS Golf Advice.

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