The Shotgun Start

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Sunday at the U.S. Open: Rahm’s win, Bryson “off the rails,” and Torrey postmortem Jun 21, 2021

Show notes

After a brief wait for the flyover to clear through, Andy and Brendan begin with the last episode on the 2021 U.S. Open. It’s been a week, but they’re giddy following an afternoon of bunched (constipated) leaderboard maneuvering and some unexpected extracurriculars, like Bryson coming undone, a streaker, a box of beer somehow being on the premises, and a ball in a tree. They start first with Rahm, his “firing at flags” approach and of course the final two putts. There’s chatter about what’s to come, but mostly it’s an appreciation of what just happened. They express sympathy for the Mattress King, though Brendan doesn’t fully absolve him because of the drive at 17. The Bryson circus is re-lived, from a tie for the lead to t-26, with amusing quotes about how it was really just one unlucky break or two between that and getting to 7 or 8-under. Rory, all of it, is addressed. They close with a postmortem on Torrey Pines, why people can’t seem to understand why a good or bad leaderboard does not equal a good or bad golf course, and a few other things they liked and didn’t like from muni setup.

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Saturday at the U.S. Open: Rotisserie chicken, still bad. Torrey Pines, still constipated. Jun 20, 2021

Show notes

This loopy Saturday episode is energized by the third round finish at Torrey Pines. Granted, there wasn’t much movement, as defined, but there was some action. Andy and Brendan debate whether they would trust Louis or Rory more on Sunday if they both made the turn in the lead. They address Mackenzie Hughes’ comments that this is basically playing like the Farmers for him. Thicc Boi’s inability to yell fore, and his revelatory comments that you simply do not need to hit fairways to win majors anymore, are discussed. Rory’s sandwich preference for the week, which includes rotisserie chicken, opens up an old debate and another shouting match about poultry. Also on Rory, the broadcast putting a camera on his hotel balcony is panned as an invasion of privacy. They go through the leaderboard and play Contender/Pretender, which is just another way to illustrate that Torrey has made it impossible to blow up or really go low. There’s an analogy about constipation made on this.

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Friday at the U.S. Open: Bryson’s dreams, Dick Bland Brigade, and Torrey bunching Jun 19, 2021

Show notes

This Friday night episode is a debrief at the midpoint of the U.S. Open. Andy and Brendan react to Dick Bland, long an SGS notable, taking the freaking lead at a major. But has he gone too mainstream? There are some historical trends offered for why Torrey is a flawed venue but also why we may be in for an exciting sprint on the weekend. The subject of Bryson figuring out a swing fix in his dreams is debated. Is he an idiot or a genius that knows how to play the media? Or both? The Dylan Wu debacle is another exhibit in the embarrassment of having a KFT event opposite the U.S. Open. Biggest surprise nominees lead to a discussion on Matthew Wolff and Bubba, who has a truly horrendous U.S. Open record. A biggest MC disappointment discussion hits on Tony Finau, the Baton Boy, and J Kokrak.

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Thursday at the U.S. Open: Torrey, Telecasts, and Richard Bland Jun 18, 2021

Show notes

This episode is a quick reaction to day one at the U.S. Open, with only one mic turned on for it. Brendan and Andy jump into what felt like an uneven day, often boring and frustrating but sprinkled with bursts of intrigue. Did anything happen that changed their notions of how this would be before Thursday’s action? Brendan compares it to a big time neutral site college football game. They discuss the 13th hole and the valley that gobbled up Bryson’s ball in a sand-filled divot. There’s a debate about other major venues whose entire identities are more or less wrapped up in one historic moment. There are some harsh words on the telecast making it feel like a regular season event. The lack of hangliders, prevalence of planes, and potential plaque impacts are also covered. Rory’s round is hailed, as is Brooksy’s opening salvo. And of course, Dick Bland’s chances are re-assessed, as is his Coetzee Zone candidacy.

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Torrey foibles, Bomb-and-Gouge, Brooks v. Bryson, and Hanglider impacts Jun 16, 2021

Show notes

This Wednesday episode serves as your official U.S. Open preview. Andy and Brendan begin with some player reactions to the course setup so far, getting in the weeds on bomb-and-gouge proclamations and rough trepidation. There’s a debate about too much luck being involved, and a take that the U.S. Open has become the most predictable of the majors in terms of what type of winner it delivers. They highlight the divergent thoughts of Bryson and Jordan Spieth on whether this will be similar to Winged Foot. Then they get to the rumor that Bryson declined a pairing with Brooksy, and react to some of the pearl-clutching on Tuesday over this feud existing at all. One-and-done picks are made. Favorite groupings are bandied about -- from the Triple H to the European runts -- as well as worst groupings. Somehow, there is anti-Meronk sentiment. They close with some chatter on whether the hangliders, perhaps a rogue one with a bet slip, could impact the championship.

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An SGS Spotlight on the 2002 U.S. Open at Bethpage Jun 15, 2021

Show notes

With the U.S. Open return to Torrey Pines, and a possible end to this era of the championship going to publicly owned venues, this Spotlight episode focuses on the one that ushered in that great muni experiment. Andy and Brendan dive into the story of how David Fay got the Open to Bethpage, the Rees Jones work before 2002, and the groundskeeping overhaul that took place to host the national championship. There is also ample time devoted to the Reestoration, with not exclusively glowing words for “The Open Doctor.” Then they get into some complaints on setup, including one hole where 15 players in a row failed to carry their drives to the fairway. There are segments dedicated to the rowdy crowds and of course, the main characters -- Jeff Maggert’s wardrobe, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Sergio Garcia. This may be the week the public perception of waggling Sergio really changed, and they go over the contretemps that had him leaving an apology note in Tiger’s locker the night before they played in the final round’s final pairing. There is, of course, time dedicated to this particular run of Tiger dominance, and the impacts incoming equipment evolutions might have had on that. Thanks to the U.S. Open Victory Club (join that here) for supporting this Spotlight work and making these episodes possible.

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Palmetto Pukefest, Chicago’s new favorite son, and Nevada Bob’s boy Jun 14, 2021

Show notes

This Monday episode begins with a review of the puking down the stretch at the Palmetto Championship. Brendan and Andy discuss the Higgo potential, the Hadley gag, the Tain flick and attempted character assasination, DJ taking a dive to get out of town, and Brooks again saying he can’t focus for anything that’s not a major. There is also intel on Matt Fitzpatrick’s favorite time of year in Chicago, as well as his favorite restaurants. In contrast with that ugly play was the battle down the stretch at Lake Merced, where a Fin won for the first time on the LPGA, prompting dancing in the streets of Helsinki. On the KFT, they discuss a new and improved battlefield promotion proposal after Mito Pereira gets the call up after his third victory. On the LatinoAmerica Tour, a club pro makes a splash. News hits on Jon Rahm being cleared to get out of isolation. They close with a quick chat on the potential for the USGA putting Brooks and Bryson together when pairings are announced on Tuesday.

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An SGS Spotlight on “The Merry Mex,” Lee Trevino: Part 1 Jun 13, 2021

Show notes

This special Spotlight episode ahead of U.S. Open week is dedicated to Lee Trevino. This is Part 1 of what will likely, hopefully be a two-part Spotlight. It begins with the nuts and bolts of Trevino’s resume and career accomplishments before launching into his background and upbringing in poor conditions outside of Dallas. It covers his trademark swing, how he got into the game from destitute circumstances, his time in the Marines, and his path onto Tour golf. That path is due in part to qualifying for and then succeeding at the U.S. Open his first few times around the national championship. This episode covers his first three major wins, the U.S. Open at Oak Hill, the U.S. Open at Merion in a playoff against Jack Nicklaus, and his first Open Championship at Birkdale. It also covers the origins of his antipathy towards the Masters, and many more side tales. Thanks to the U.S. Open Victory Club (join that here) for supporting this Spotlight work and making these episodes possible.

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#TainWatch, Rough videos return, and games within the game Jun 11, 2021

Show notes

This Friday episode opens with a discussion on the proliferation of craft burger places, as well as the amusement over the animated Andy that appeared in the big Golf Digest article featuring him. Then they get to the Palmetto Championship, where Brendan’s one-and-done pick, Monday qualifier Tain Lee, is on absolute fire. They discuss, with moderate confusion, the Pomona colleges where he went and put all Shotgunners officially on #TainWatch for the rest of the week. Andy scours the bottom of the leaderboard with disgust, highlighting the bushels of players that should have been bounced for KFT talents. There are also some reports from the ground about the excellent conditioning. News hits on our first social media video of the rough at Torrey Pines, which leads to a proposal that all OEMs be banned from event grounds. Precision Pro Flashback Friday takes you down the path of a South Carolina resident that holds an impressive (or ignominious based on your point of view) record that Westy may match next week.

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Palmetto Poofers, Faz’s Portfolio, and a PGL PR Push Jun 09, 2021

Show notes

It’s the second recording of the day for Brendan and Andy so they are a little punchy. They begin with one of the most absurd and incongruous pairings they can ever recall for a field at the Palmetto Championship that is later dubbed in the episode as a “shit sandwich.” Andy runs through some of his “featured” groups, they cover three things to watch, and discuss Tom Fazio’s Congaree. There’s also the matter of Fazio being credited as the designer of not just Congaree but also Augusta National. The event of the week is given to Scandinivian Mixed, a cool concept across the pond. News is basically a segment on the PGL and its very public rolling out in both the press and on its new website, which is full of amusements.

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