The Shotgun Start

It’s Brendan’s wedding anniversary so this Friday episode quickly zips through a potpourri of topics with no real plan or direction. They begin with an unexpected but heated debate over rotisserie chicken and whether it’s any good. More intel from the ground on the Power Lines Open in Italy is relayed and there’s great amusement at Matt Wallace’s ball getting knocked out of the air into a hazard. The Zozo discussion begins with crowning Bassy Munoz the new Mr. October and there’s an update on the origins of the name Sherwood. Phil’s 2-wood and 47.5 inch driver bag setup is critiqued as are metal spikes, generally, after video of Andrew Landry tumbling on a cart path is discovered. Both Brendan and Andy also address the popular GC Tiger Tracker account going silent this week, with a serious lament on the loss of jobs behind the scenes. Another odd video from Bryson and the Kings of Leon is giggled over before a Flashback Friday segment takes on Seve Ballesteros and his outrageous record before the age of 21 and at national opens. News hits on Sergio playing a pro tennis event, Phil maybe skipping Houston because they’ll have fans, and a crazy longshot exemption that will be there.

This Election Day episode begins with Brendan and Andy rehashing some amusing answers from past anonymous players’ polls. Then they transition to the Masters Fact of the Day based off a tip about a potential change in jacket policy coming this year. The shhhhedule for the week begins with the Houston Open, featuring an extended discussion on the new venue, Memorial Park, and the work done by Tom Doak. What was Brooksy’s input in the work and how will it play for a Tour event? Also, has the Tour stopped caring about par, and living under it? There’s amusement over the format for the Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Showdown, where scores will be reset multiple times and could expose some hypocrisy in future Net Tour Championship critiques. Discussion of this Euro Tour event also leads to the discovery of the English golfer Toby Tree, a new SGS favorite. The Champions Tour season-ender is also briefly covered as a potential coronation for Ernie, who “feels like a rookie again.” News hits on Bryson’s deal with DraftKings and if he’d be the worst possible pro to get a lesson from, which is part of that activation (and who would be the best pro to get a lesson from, which is an excuse for a spotlight on #WestysWisdom). Lastly, they chat about a pro describing his use of a 48-inch driver “like a sledgehammer.”

Do you think Andy Sullivan is terrified of the murder hornet? With the golf action limited this week, this Friday episode meanders about from some quick thoughts on Bermuda, Cyprus, and Halloween. Brendan and Andy discuss the grotesque injury suffered by Brendon Todd, they marvel at some of the longshots that went low in Bermuda, and ponder the fairway kiln. Then they get to their annual golf-related Halloween costumes segment, brainstorming up some options for the Shotgunners out there. Bryson, CT machines, the Solicitor General, the Ponte Vedra posse, Spieth, and many others are bandied about as potential costume concepts. Then come edify yourself in the waters of Michael Gellerman research, which is also a reason for a U.S. Pub Links tangent. Masters Fact of the Day is a doozy from @Bamabearcat on the original Mackenzie plan for a par-73 course with a little quiz and subsequent discussion on the par-5 that never was. Also, green B. Draddy SGS quarter zips for the final men’s major of 2020 will be 20 percent off through the weekend with promo code FLIMPER -- shoutout Sandy Lyle.

What was thought to be a normal Wednesday episode starts with breaking news, as Davante Adams was traded to the New York Jets early Tuesday morning. The show begins with Producer PJ's live reaction to the deal, coming on the heels of yet another pathetic Jets loss on Monday night. Brendan then debuts a golf player comparison for Yankees ace Gerrit Cole as he prepares for Game 2 of the ALCS. The golf talk kicks off from there, as Andy and Brendan are fired up about ticket prices for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. They express frustration about how the exorbitant prices are keeping average fans away and how the PGA of America, who claims to be committed to "growing the game," could do something like this. The two also detail how the fan experience at the Ryder Cup is not great to begin with, even further confirming that the ticket prices are out of hand. Andy compares the $1,500 it would cost for two to attend a competition day to a night at the Ritz Carlton outside of Central Park. Brendan then notes some "notable alumni" from each school competing at the St Andrews Collegiate this week, leading to a discussion about whether someone has to graduate in order to be called an alum. Andy and Brendan touch on the rest of the golf schedule for this week, previewing the Shriners Children's Open, BMW Ladies Championship, and Andalucia Masters, where Jon Rahm is leading DPWT coverage in his Legion XIII gear. To wrap things up, Andy, Brendan, and PJ make their long-awaited picks for the Dominion Energy Charity Classic as the Schwab Cup Playoffs begin on the Champs Tour.

This Friday episode begins with a discussion on grapes and where they fall in the fruit rankings. There’s also a brief announcement about another run of polos available Friday at Noon CDT. Brendan and Andy are trying their best to stock wisely, but they’re also idiots. As for the golf, they dive into the scorable first day at Harbour Town and the impressive showing from Jordan Spieth in a metric that matters much more than a hot putter. Bryson’s antics are covered in detail, from hitting over the range net to his putting green apparatuses to his quote that he can’t “unleash the Kraken” on this tighter setup. Also, a listener submitted question on how much luggage is needed for Thicc Boi’s travels is pondered. Then they turn to the subject of mics and loose impediments, which cost Adam Hadwin two shots and Daniel Berger his time in order to laser in on Patrick Reed. On the lower tours, the Pauper of Ponte Vedra concept is introduced. Flashback Friday features a quick addendum to Wednesday's Bubba discussion on his “extreme value” clothing line in 2007 before a meatier focus on Boo Weekley, the two-time Heritage winner who once thought golf was invented in Florida.