The Shotgun Start

An "invigorated" Brendan kicks off this Friday episode with some observations from two days at Merion Golf Club as the 2026 U.S. Amateur has now reached the match play rounds. He and Andy discuss the early results and they wonder if the USGA should re-seed the bracket to avoid top players facing each other too early. Brendan also passes along some feedback from the ground about Wednesday's segment regarding Ben Hogan's famous one-iron, but Andy doubles down on the fact that the plaque could be better served commemorating a different moment from Hogan's round. The two debate Merion's status as a top-tier championship venue and whether it could host a U.S. Open given its current setup, with more to come on this topic on Monday. In Memphis, Jordan Spieth is out to an early lead at the FedEx St. Jude as he looks to finish in the top ten for the first time this season. Rory McIlroy turned in a 74 in his first competitive round since Birkdale, but he'll have to suffer through three more days of the heat given this is a no-cut event. On Thursday morning, James Corrigan reported that LIV officials were "resigned" to the fact that Jon Rahm will not return for the 2027 season, seemingly setting him up for a full year on the DP World Tour instead. Andy and Brendan discuss what this means for LIV 2.0 and its possible lone star, Bryson DeChambeau. Lastly, Kevin Van Valkenburg once again joins for a B. Draddy Flashback Friday focusing on the 2000 Presidents Cup and a rivalry between Tiger Woods and a famous caddie.

We’re returning to SPACE for a Presidents Cup week Live Show Presented by B.Draddy! Join us in Chicago on September 21 - doors will open at 5 pm and show begins at 7 pm. Tickets go on sale on Friday at 11 AM ET.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yes, the Sweat Swing begins this week at TPC Initech, but the FedEx St. Jude does NOT receive Andy's Event of the Week honors! He bestows the title upon this week's U.S. Amateur at Merion, breaking down the early action with Brendan to kick off this Wednesday episode. Brendan is excited to hopefully take in some of the tournament in-person this week but wonders how, in the age of streaming everything, there's been no broadcast coverage of the stroke play rounds so far. The two run through some big names that won't be making it to match play and set up what should be a great weekend of golf at one of America's most iconic championship venues. There is a beefy (or sweaty?) preview of the FedEx St. Jude, complete with an updated weather forecast for Memphis, Tennessee! Andy's 5 Guys to Monitor This Week highlights a surprise appearance from one of the Tour's biggest stars, two Bubble Boys looking to make the Top 50, and one of the best dressed players in the field. The Schedule for the Week continues with the return of the DP World Tour and Michael Block's return stateside for this weekend's Boeing Classic on the Champions Tour. In perhaps the biggest news of the week, Brendan is tasked with explaining himself after getting ratioed on Twitter for just stating that Michael Kim has more followers than Rory McIlroy, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and even the New York Yankees(!) on the platform. We will return Friday with some more Bubble Boy discourse and whatever else presents itself in the next 48 hours of golf.

We’re returning to SPACE for a Presidents Cup week Live Show Presented by B.Draddy! Join us in Chicago on September 21 - doors will open at 5 pm and show begins at 7 pm. Tickets go on sale on Friday at 11 AM ET.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the first time in SGS history, the Staysure Legends Tour leads the show! Three-plus years after he burst onto the scene with - according to one Golf Journalist - a "super enjoyable and insightful" walk-and-talk at Oak Hill, Michael Block has done it again. Andy and Brendan are giddy to discuss the latest in Blockiemania, a DISQUALIFICATION from the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship in Scotland. As first reported by Ryan French of Monday Q Info, Blockie walked off the course on the 12th hole of Sunday's round after he had already been penalized for showing up late to his tee time. Brendan is in disbelief that Michael Block is still making headlines in August of 2026 and Andy isn't buying Blockie's Instagram Story explanation for walking off the course. Eventually they move on to the Wyndham Championship, where Michael Brennan finally made good on all of the hype after his win at Black Desert last fall. Brennan shared an emotional moment with his mother on the 18th green following his win at Sedgefield and practically turned this PGA Tour event into a Masters ad that could be used for years to come. Andy and Brendan take a look at the Top 70 of the FedEx Cup rankings as we move into the Sweat Swing, with Jackson Koivun making the cut on the number after an up-and-down Sunday round. At LIV New York, Joaquin Niemann extended his all-time lead in LIV victories, Jon Rahm secured another season-long championship, and Bryson got caught rambling about the "global game of golf" at a press conference. A brief bit of news rounds out this Monday episode, as both Andy and Brendan are stunned by a surprise entrant into the FedEx St. Jude as the all-important playoffs begin!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andy and Brendan! went LIVE on YouTube for a Summer Friday recording that recapped the latest news regarding LIV Golf's new "investment." The two discuss LIV CEO Scott O'Neil's initial announcement of an investor signing a terms sheet on Wednesday morning and the ensuing reports that have suggested that this "investment" might really just be a loan. Andy points out that the headlines would be radically different had the announcement been that LIV found a creditor instead of an investor, a spin on the news that is still confusing people days later. Brendan goes through a timeline of follow-up reporting from Axios, The Financial Times, and more to give a full scope of the current status of this "investment." The two wonder how Jon Rahm's massive contract will figure into these future equity negotiations, especially if he leaves the league after the conclusion of the 2026 season. It does seem like Bryson DeChambeau will be sticking around, but will his presence be enough for the reported investors, BC Partners, to actually foot the bill moving forward? After a lengthy LIV Minute, Brendan quizzes Andy on which states are NOT represented by participants at next week's U.S. Amateur before Kevin Van Valkenburg calls in for Flashback Friday. KVV brings a story from the first-ever Presidents Cup about Loren Roberts and a penalty that would set the golf world ablaze if it occurred next month at Medinah. Also contained in this episode is a debate about how many "real cities" are in the United States, courtesy of Andy and PJ's week in Chicago. Are we a country of just a bunch of nice towns?

We’ve teamed up with Shady Rays to bring you an exclusive offer. Head to shadyrays.com and use code: SHOTGUN for 40% OFF 2+ pairs of polarized sunglasses. Try for yourself the shades rated 5 stars by over 300,000 people.
Use promo code SGS30 for 30% off Presidents Cup gear at B. Draddy!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brendan Porath and Joseph LaMagna convene for a Wednesday Scramble to discuss breaking news in the golf world. On Wednesday morning, LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil announced that LIV has landed a lead investor, securing future funding of the league. In what capacity will the league operate moving forward? Brendan and Joseph discuss. Also covered, a report that TPC Southwind is not part of the PGA Tour's Championship Series vision, placing doubt on the future involvement of one of the Tour's longest-running sponsors, FedEx.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.