The Shotgun Start

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The Butterfield Boys, Mid-Am Minute, and Plaque Patrol Oct 25, 2022

Show notes

This Wednesday episode begins with a question that seemed unfathomable two months ago: are the Bears better than the Packers? Then an unplanned segment, the Mid-Am Minute, takes place, with the microscope on an event overseas during a time when maybe it’s never been better to be a Mid-Am. The Butterfield field is discussed, from the favorites to the press conference invitees to the unknowns. Brendan has questions about a completely indiscriminate plaque at the host venue, and there’s excitement over the weather forecast. News hits on the great Champions Tour schedule release day, with 2023 loaded up with 28 events, 66 million in prizes, and the return of an event in Morocco. In contrast to that Champs Tour superfluity is the last segment on an article reporting some potential changes to PGA Tour University and the attempts (or half measures) to fast track more young stars to the Tour that could be susceptible to LIV poaching.

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Rory returns to No. 1, Lydia wins in Korea, and Saudi Golf walks it back Oct 24, 2022

Show notes

This Monday episode begins with a Sunday night sports update not presented by a bank and not planned at all! There are some deep thoughts on Bullet, and bullet, before Andy and Brendan get to the CJ Plaque winner Rory McIlroy. They discuss Rory’s return to the top spot in the OWGR (but not the FEC) and the meaning that takes on 10 years after he first did it. They discuss both Rory and Lydia Ko getting emotional after their wins and after a decade of doing just about everything on their respective tours. Steven Alker’s continued dominance on the Champs Tour leads to the creation of the “Alker Test” idea. There’s also a chat on yet another Japanese No. 1 amateur and his win in a strong pro event this weekend. News closes with Majed Al Sorour releasing a statement on his New Yorker comments that LIV would create its own majors.

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CJ Plaque coverage disaster, 2023 breakout players, and FBF on “The Tank” Oct 20, 2022

Show notes

It’s an early Friday, some may even call it Friday Junior, episode. Andy and Brendan react to being able to watch absolutely nothing from a loaded CJ Cup at Congaree, with TV limited to three afternoon hours and no featured groups streams. There were a couple grainy cellphone videos posted to social media though. Another Spieth debate somehow ensues. Andy gives out four show-me players who he thinks need and could deliver a big 2023 year. Flashback Friday focuses on a Korean legend nicknamed The Tank.

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Elevated events elected and the Saudi golf guy says he’ll create his own majors Oct 19, 2022

Show notes

This Wednesday episode begins with some fun stories about airplane travel. Then Andy and Brendan get to the CJ Cup, where a great field will play at Congaree. They express enthusiasm for this rare fall windfall but lament some lack of creativity. This leads to a discussion on the news of the PGA Tour’s four new elevated events -- what’s good and what’s a miss with this new reworked schedule for 2023 and what needs to be better for the years that follow? There’s a sidebar discussion on an amusing interview with the head of the champions tour. The last segment reacts to the New Yorker article and the head of Golf Saudi saying he will just create his own majors if they don’t let in his players.

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Sorting the stack in the Pancake Zone and Brooksy’s tears in Jeddah Oct 16, 2022

Show notes

This Monday episode reacts to an INCREDIBLE sports weekend with wild scenes in Knoxville, Fort Worth, Utah, Salt Lake, Cleveland, Philly, and Jeddah, among others. Andy and Brendan sort through it all, starting with the Zozo, where Keegan and Rickie put some people to sleep. They assess Keegan’s strong career, which now resides in the Pancake Zone alongside Fowler. They compare five-year peaks and some other names from the five-win club. On the 54 Tour, they react to a 4A player like Peter Uihlein suddenly becoming a force out on the LIV circuit. Brooksy’s tears and comments about getting hot or finding his game during a quiet part of the season are addressed as well. Should there be a major in each quarter? There are a few amusing observations from the broadcast on Niblicks hype, unflattering graphics, and a potential opportunity for a “Fan Vote Friday” redux situation where the listeners can get involved in the broadcast. The women competing in their own Saudi-backed event rounds out the episode, with Lexi’s quotes on the subject reviewed.

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#JustWaitForJeddah, Hideki’s loyalty to the Tour, and LIV toys with a cut Oct 13, 2022

Show notes

It’s another *Thursday* episode, with Andy on the road for the big Bears-Commanders national TV game. He and Brendan begin with an amusing note from the Pres Cup, where fans dressed up as Canadian mounties may have heckled a certain Town Crier. Then they get to the idea of LIV instituting a cut, of just three players, and what it says about the desperation for OWGR points and whimsical changes. They discuss the Zozo Championship, where Hideki Matsuyama reiterated his commitment to PGA Tour membership. News hits on the return of the International Crown, Jon Rahm’s Ryder Cup comments and Sergio’s abdication, and Tony Romo playing his way into a USGA championship. A quick Flashback Friday centers on Isao Aoki and another geopolitical drama that ensued when he committed to play in South Africa.

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Tom keeps on chugging, Fireballs burn bright, and Illinois’s playoff dream is alive Oct 10, 2022

Show notes

This Monday episode begins with excitement over Illinois football and Guardians baseball. There’s also an allegation of thirsty attempts at foodie influencing. Eventually, Andy and Brendan get to golf and Tom Kim’s second PGA Tour win at the tender age of 20. They discuss his trajectory and how he’s a strong argument for the tour keeping more avenues open as opposed to closing things off in their ongoing battle with LIV. Patrick Cantlay is praised too! Then they discuss Eugenio Chacarra’s LIV win in Bangkok and just what exactly to do with it in terms of contextualizing what it means for his future, aside from his bank account. Jon Rahm’s comments about carrying torches for Spanish golf and beating a weaker field to win a Spanish Open and tie Seve’s mark are discussed. The Epson Tour graduates are given their due but there are questions about the entire process of having more turnover at the LPGA level.

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The MENA Maneuver, Bryson’s Safe Spaces, and an FBF on OWGR Oct 06, 2022

Show notes

It’s an odd week, so this Thursday episode is a bit of a mash-up, hitting both the schedule for the week while also getting out on an #FBF segment focused on past hollering about the Official World Golf Rankings, which finds itself again in the crosshairs of some hollering. Andy and Brendan begin with the schedule, which provokes an absolutely preposterous Jordan Spieth take. Unsubstantiated rumor Friday is an amusing one that focuses on some potential Dallas-area drama. Then it’s on to the LIV stunt forming a “strategic alliance” with the MENA Tour and spiking the football that they would be immediately getting OWGR points this week because of it. Precision Pro FBF looks back at a past OWGR controversy, when the majors started giving out exemptions based off the rankings and everyone seemed to hate the system for one reason or another, including Zinger, whose Op-Ed on it is read aloud to cap off the week.

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Frisco’s exurban development, Fox clips Rory, and Canada’s revenge Oct 03, 2022

Show notes

It’s a road-weary Monday episode with Andy in Frisco, where he has some thoughts about the development of North Texas and the PGA’s “efficient” new headquarters. On golf, they discuss Sunday at the Old Course, where Alex Noren hit it off the Rusacks hotel for a potential eagle. That leads to a harebrained idea of how the Old Course should combat that kind of good break. There’s also some Ryan Fox talk and plenty of Rory quotes -- on weather, his consistency vs. the flash of his youth, and whether he’s taken over Billy Boy as the peak baton twirler. On the PGA Tour, they ponder whether Mac Hughes winning the Sanderson is just consolation for the Canadians after last week’s Pres Cup debacle. News touches on Bryson’s performance in the Pro Long Drive competition.

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Everyone is getting sued and LIV might buy TV time Sep 29, 2022

Show notes

This Friday episode was recorded on a personal free zoom account with the 40-minute time limit, so it cuts off abruptly at the end, and one person was in his car shouting at the bluetooth. Andy and Brendan close out the week discussing the back-and-forth flurry of lawsuits this week -- the PGA Tour counterclaiming against LIV, Pat Reed expanding his defamation suit to include more people and a different jurisdiction, and a slew of LIV boys dropping from its suit, leaving 3 cannon fodder possibilities. They also discuss the report of an imminent TV deal with Fox that would have LIV buying time to get on the air. Rory McIlroy’s comments on OWGR and eventual peace talks are reviewed. They close with a PrecisionPro #FBF on the 2007 Dunhill, where Rory earned his Euro Tour card in just his second pro start.

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