Subpar - Emma Carpenter talks breaking into golf media after her playing career at Minnesota, her favorite courses in Minneapolis and Chicago

Episode Date: August 11, 2026

On this week's episode of Subpar, Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz are joined by PGA Tour LIVE broadcaster Emma Carpenter. The co-host of the 5 Clubs Golf podcast talks breaking into golf media following her playing career at the University of Minnesota, if Minneapolis or Chicago has the better golf scene and the truth behind her round at Pinehurst No. 2 with Gary Williams and Jay Bilas. --Celebrate the wins on and off the course with Blue Run Whiskey. Crafted with exceptional attention to detail and a fresh, modern perspective, Blue Run is the perfect way to treat yourself after your next round. Discover all of Blue Run’s expressions and find a retailer near you at bluerunspirits.com.CELEBRATE RESPONSIBLY. © 2026 BLUE RUN SPIRITS, INC., KENTUCKY--Most guys will spend thousands fixing their golf swing before addressing their hair game. Make the hat optional with Nutrafol. Use code SUBPAR for $10 off + free shipping at Nutrafol.com.

Granted, I was playing a little further up tea, but I'll never forget. We were on the 11th hole in Pinehurst number two, and Jay is getting a number from his catty way back in the fairway. And Gary looks at me and he goes, I mean, seriously, what's going on here? He's 100 behind me. He's 75 behind Emma. What's going on? Those two.

Poor Jay was getting chirped for his length off the tee, but he was not. not, he was definitely, I did not think that I beat him that day. Well, according to Gary, you beat him like a drum. I got the same report. All right, here we go. Welcome back to Subpar with Colt Nost and Drew Stoltz. The regular season for the PGA tour is a wrap. We are heading into the playoffs, but what a finish we had at the Wyndham Championship

where the Wake Forest Demon Deakin picked up his second win in his PGA tour career, Michael Brennan. He's been so close. I feel like so many times this year has really struggled on Sundays. But not this week, Sleas. He came out roaring, made five in a row, which is? That's the Pink Panther. The only person this season on the PGA tour to have back-to-back weeks on the PGA tour

with a streak of five or more birdies. Oh, is that right? He had the old Loch Ness monster. I know. At Detroit. Dude, they've been flying around. You got these cornfairy tour scores that are people shooting 59 weekly. It feels like PJA tour they're lighting up.

We're getting a lot of animal sightings. I love it. right now, but a little pink panther on a Sunday with the lead always helped. I love throwing the names out there and Nance just looking to me like, what the fuck are you talking about? I'm like, it sleezes. Yeah. Trevor goes, I mentioned he had the locknest monster, which was eight.

He's like, is that because like the tail? No, dude. I don't overthink it. I don't know. Have you ever seen a lock nest monster? No. 99.9% of people never seen eight birdies in a row. That's how it gets more rare.

I think you need to do like a little cano on CBS. You come in and explain it. Yeah, I get, when people do them, we're like, what is it? this. And I'll be, oh, dude, that's the black-tailed ferret. Super, you know, I'm going to just put a little list out. We need to make some, eventually when we make merch, maybe we'll have something that involves the Bird Street. What's March? I don't know. It's just a little side venture where you got there. But Brennan, getting it done, tried to make it interesting a little bit at the end, a couple wayward ones, a couple lefties. But God, dude, I mean, they talked about

a ton. You guys talked about on the broadcast. A golf swing is just a joke. It's hard to believe this guy was, like, battling to make the playoffs after winning last year and just looking at it. And you're like, dude, what's missing? And this is the third week in a row. If you look at his results, it doesn't really show that he, like, contended the two weeks prior. But it's just because he's had heinous final round, 73, 74 on golf courses where guys were pedal down. It's like, oh, 15th and I think 24th in the one. But he's been in the mix the last three weeks.

I think he was like 102 coming in. And if you would have told me, considering how much we've covered him on the weekends, I'm like, dude, he's outside the top hundred. Are you crazy? And if you would show this like a college kid and be like, okay, kids, you want to play on the PJJ tour? Here's the guys outside the top 100. You want to watch them hit balls? And, like, I mean, it looks, it looks like what you would build.

I mean, it's, um, just shows, I mean, it's tricky. Especially since he won, though, so quickly out the gates, it was like, okay, is the quote unquote floodgate stuff. It's like, it don't always work like that. Yeah, shout out to Adam Harrell, who's been his coach since he was 12 years old. It's clean. He was the gym McLean golf schools. They have done a phenomenal job.

And the big difference, though, for him was the putting for the season, heading into the rocket two weeks. ago. He was 126 in strokes gained putting. He was third in strokes game putting at the rocket and second this past week. Yeah, putter was. I don't know what he found, but enormous for him. We went through it, you know, we were digging in on radio today. Really the only stat you can point to that's not good, which probably shows why it's like final rounds. Those last couple weeks haven't been great is like strokes gained around the green. Not a good chance. It's like two from the bottom, I think. And so, I mean, you get in the hunt, you get a little tight. What

happens? You typically don't hit it as good. And you got to lean on your short game, getting up and down. And that's where I think great players hit it for, turn a 74 into a 70, give themselves a chance. And, you know, if you don't have that, he was losing like three, three plus shots around the greens, which is a ton. But good news, too, like, A, you got two wins quickly on the PJ tour and B, if you're going into the off season now, which you will be, if you see one thing to work on short game, like, that's a pretty easy fix.

You don't have, I mean, not easy fix, but it's not like, hey, I need work all across the board. It's one thing. Got another thing we can work on. I know what you're about to say. Pace to play, guys. I mean, we talk about it all the time. They're blind.

Listen, those guys, Michael Brennan, Bo Hostler, we got to pick up the pace. Y'all were playing behind Tom Kim. Tom Kim is one of the slower players on the PJ door, and he was running away from you guys. What's his thing, Operation 60? He has a name for it where he's got to come up with his game plan and get pulled the trigger within. Operation 40, I bet. Is it 40? 40 is the.

There's an actual name for it. It shows like I'm trying to go first. faster, but there was, there wasn't nothing quick going on with that final round. I joke that, you know, 60 minutes always follows golf. And I said, they keep up this pace. We're going to change it from 60 minutes to 45 minutes. Yeah. Playoff would be cutting into their program.

Would have been tough sled. When you're, when you're the final pairing and you're playing behind Tom Kim or anyone most of, for the most part on the PGA tour and like, you're a whole and a half behind, I know it's stressful. Like, yes, it means so much to you, but that doesn't mean you just get to shut it down and put it in neutral. Like, you got. got to play at a proper pace. And that was,

that was tough to watch on Sunday. Yeah, that was, that was not moving. And I always give like, benefit of the doubt, final group, okay, but you can't play by a whole different set of rules. It's just, I mean, it's something we harp on week after week. It's the same conversation until something actually takes place. It's just going to be more of this. And it's, I mean,

we've had some guys recently play really good that are super fast. And I was like, maybe the tides turn it a little bit. But, it doesn't take a ton to slow down out there. I'll say this. One or two guys. at an old school golf course where there's two par fives, there is no drivable par fours, and it's a rather easy walk green to tea.

Like you're not walking 200 yards back. Playing in over four hours around there in a two ball, come on, come on, man, we're killing the game here. There's nowhere where they don't. I mean, it's just, like I said, until something happens, it's going to be more of the same. But it turned out to be a good finish.

Yeah, for the win. But also the second straight Wake Forest Demon Deacon and second straight economic major from Wake Force to win. Following Cam Young. Third straight guy, 24 or under. Third straight, PJ, Tour, U. PJ Tour U is got a nice thing going right now. That's the best, I've said this a million times,

the best change from all the stuff. As soon as live came, boom, everything changes, the whole landscape of golf. That's the best thing that came from it. Get your studs out there, give them a chance right away. They're showing over and over and over. Like, they're ready to go right now. How about Ben James?

We don't even talk about in the Young Gun. We talked about Thorpe Bjornson, Coyvin, all these. guys just shot, he had a 62 and a 61 last week. Got a little stat from Jay Ray. Yeah. So let me read this to you real quick. Okay. Ben James is the

six player in the last 40 years with multiple rounds of 62 or lower in the same PJ Tour event. He's the only one who did not win. He's played really, he's had multiple tournaments where he's played really, really good, and then he has like one weird

day or nine. Like it was Saturday's second nine this past week. He shot one on her on the front. No bogies. Wasn't really making anything, but it was pretty clean, you know. And then he comes out on like bogies four of the first five on the back night. And all of a sudden, they're going forward. He's going backwards and he was out of it. Shoot 61 the next day.

But wasn't ever, you know, in contention. But since he's come out, dude, but eight events, seven made cuts, like four top 25s or something. It's just a roller coaster, man. It's like he, he doesn't even get talked about, you know? And he was the number one kid. I got on the points for the seniors. He hits it so good. You know, same thing is.

Kind of burning. Like the chipping and putting is not very good. And when he gets a little off with the golf swing, it's, that's what makes, I think, the great's great is when the golf swing isn't there, they can still put a good number on the board.

Ben James, it's been a little different. I mean, he had the lead in Canada. I know that was his first time leading on the PGA tour event, but I think he shot like 77. Yeah, like one Saturday.

Yeah, so it's just, he's got to figure out, and he's so young. I mean, the great thing about that PJ Tour U program is he gets to play all this year, as well as next year.

And so he knows what he needs to work on, needs to figure out how when, because look, there's going to be days over, very few people hit it great for four straight days. And very few people come out right out of college and like, I'm ready to win. Like it takes, that's one of like Jackson Coyman, like they skew the standard a little bit. Colin Morcao when he came out. It's like it can be done, but it's extreme. So like seeing what Ben James has done. And so it's like, man, that's kind of the more, yeah, you give yourself a chance,

you mess it up and don't get it done. And then you get back, you get a little closer. And then eventually you figure out how to get done, just like Michael Brennan. in his third week, basically, being in the mix. But point being, like, that PJ Tour U, man, they haven't really missed at this point. It's pretty wild for Michael Brennan, who finished 12th on the PJ Tour U,

which got him PJ Tour America status. He won three times over there, got a sponsor exemption into Black Desert and goes out and win. He's never played a Corn Ferry Tour. He's bypassed. Skip that. Skip that. That's pretty safe.

And now he's got two wins within a year on the PJ Tour. Also, he was the only guy to move inside the top seven, And shout out to Jackson Coyvin. Oh, my. Finished number 70. Had a stressful little moment there. He shot 71 on Sunday, struggle a little bit. Had to dodge a little bit from Kevin Yu,

as well as Davis Thompson, was trying to make a late push to get in there. Bo Hostler, if he would have won the golf tournament, could have knocked him out. But pretty impressive, man. Just six events. Jackson Coivin gets himself in the playoffs. Yeah, six events.

He's in. You know, he's not in. Probably the biggest surprise. I would say Brooks. We got a bunch of names that are not in. Brooks, Keegan, Jason Day, Tony Fienow, like crazy long playoff streaks. And it's different. 70 is, they don't leave a lot of wiggle room for starting off bad or finishing bad.

But Brooks Kepka, for me, probably the one that stands out the most. When he comes back, it's like, yeah, give him a grace period here, all eyes on him, first got back from Liv, all the stuff. But as the dust settles, I think he'll start playing his way back into form and just didn't really happen. And almost all it is because way putted it this year. Yeah, struggle was tough. It good enough to for sure be in the playoffs

and probably win or contend a number of times. Only one top 10. We got 69 of the 70 heading over to a nice, cool, chilly Memphis. Friendly. This week. Daniel Berger, the only one not teamed it up. Not sure what's going on there. Hope everything's all right.

And he's been a beast at that golf. Two of his four wins are at TPC Southwin. Rory was a late ad. Cool to see him going. But I'm heading there on Friday, Sleece. I'm very glad. to be in the super tower. You should get there early and see the sights.

Graceland. The forecast Saturday, Sunday, is a smooth 100 degrees. That does not include the humidity, which will be ridiculous. There are going to be a lot of swamp ass going around. This is the ass wet meme week of the year. Come and see you live. Heads up wearing khaki, the tough scene. And I will say.

Or really wearing anything. Johnson Wagner and I are actually taking a little week off from playing golf this week because I think he says he wanted it's a little more time at home. I think he's just, he's tired of getting his ass whipsleyes. It's 13 and 3 now. If the Cowboys could have this record, God, all would be right in the world. You got to really want it to be like, hey, I'll meet you a day early in Memphis. Yeah.

And go out there and we can bang it around. I don't know that it's worth it. Oh, I have good news for you, by the way, completely unrelated to anything. Okay. In your house this morning. You ever ran into some travel problems, then do radio, come up to your house, boom, getting set up for radio, look down on the ground. Who do I see?

The cricket. The cricket, the culprit, just came right to me. I think that's just one of his friends. He said, Father, I'm here. And I said, hello, Mr. Cricket. I took him back to your room, put him up in the bin where he's comfortable. I gave him a ham sandwich. Said, tell your friends, parties on me.

Get loud tonight. I want to see you rocking all the way through Christmas. Anyways, I found the little bastard for you. Colt's been awake since 2.30 Phoenix time. Make sure you're real loud tonight. I never treated one more sensitive. I said, hey, hey, little buddy. Where do you want to go?

I left on Thursday. Exterminator came to the house, put traps all over, sprayed everywhere. I heard, Natalie said it had been good the last few nights, but she can also sleep through a rock concert. So I'll be the one, I'll be judging that tonight. But I don't appreciate you not getting rid of that little crib. I'm not animal cruel. I don't want to eat all over my ass.

I said, here you go, a little pal. Go up here where it's impossible for any hand to get into. And here's some food. Exactly. Here's a microphone. I need you on call at 1230 tonight. So anyways, you're in good hands. What a good friend, you are.

You know, I let you come over to my house. He was just like, glowing. It was like the Lion King. There was like a ray of light coming down. I was like, oh. I still don't understand how something that little can make so much noise. Man, he just came right to me. What a dude. Well, let's make some noise in Memphis this week. Let's give us some picks for the FedEx St. Juke Classic, by the way, one of the great stops on the PGA tour. So many PGA tour players throughout the years of this tournament will go to the St. Jude Hospital. I've been fortunate to do it three or four times. It's tough. They hit home. They set up a little

miniature golf course in the lobby for all the kids to go. over there. It is something special. This tournament does such great things. And that hospital, I mean, to be able to allow kids, you know, that are going through such tough times for them and their families to come there and have zero dollars to spend. I mean, there is no bill for these people

when they leave there. It's really cool. Yeah. It can get you emotional. Like them doing the shoes and the paying the shoes and stuff like that. It's cool to see. Great cause. They do the bibs to the caddy bibs. Yeah. I like it. So. Well, let's get to the picks. As I mentioned, 69 of the top 70 are teened up. Scott E. Sheffler is your favorite. But for a top 20, you only got to beat 50 for 49 guys, Lee's. Who we going with? I like Bud Colley. Top 20 plus 200. Double your money

up right there. He's had a really just like, I don't want to say it's like flashy, just like a solid season. He's got eight top 25s. He's 34th in the FedEx Cup. Sandings. It's been a great research. And this golf course for him, like he just hits a straight, hits it on the green. Putter comes and goes a little bit. But I love the course setup for him too. So Bud Call him. plus 200, top 20. Come on down. Let's go big bud. This golf course, it was so much better. I thought when they played it late May, early June, you got some wind.

It got bouncing. Bouncy. I mean, there's been years when 10 under par has one there. This time of year, look, I mentioned 100 degrees. It's going to be soft. It's Zoiz. It's a ball strikers golf course, but I still expect a lot of low numbers. It should be a good fit for Bud. And I believe it should be a good fit

for our man Hideki Matsuyama, who is rolling right now, three straight top 10s. First time he's done that since 2016 back in the fall. You can get him in a top 10 at plus 200 as well. He's been knocking on the door. Did you see his the flop shot he hit from like short-sighted?

Playing with Joel. Six inches into the friend, has to stop it there, trickle on, rolls down to two feet, and Joel's get rid of ship from the front of the green and just like turns and laughs. That was such a great guy. I texted Joel. He's like, dude, I mean, it's literally best shot I've ever seen. Yeah.

Anyways, yeah, he's going right now. Kind of quietly, too, like playing really good golf, just hadn't picked up a, you know, a win, but trending. Yeah, Hadecki is, he's fine, and that shot was absurd. For our winner this week, why not? 20 to 1. Listen, I mean, it's going to be hotter in hell, but no one's cooler than Tommy Fleetwood. As I mentioned, ball strikers golf course, he's as good as they get, you know,

picked up that win at the Tour championship last year. Why not just go ahead and win back-to-back playoff events on the PGA tour? Hard press to find a better iron player out there, a guy that drives it straighter. I mean, perfect setup for him. And, yeah, boys to make a run. Back-to-back ain't cheating. It's going to be nice and cool there. Johnson Wagner, you better hydrate, bud.

I'm super jealous of you. I wish I could be there. I got this thing. I got a bad back. I can't move, really. All right. Well, you'll be watching on TV in the AC. Yeah, no question.

Just text me out. Text Johnson how cold it is in your room. It's got a hoodie on. It's Bridget here in Scottsdale. All right. Well, our interview this week, we are actually joining her as part of Blue Run spirits. Okay, big shout out to Blue Run spirits. golf has a funny way of making you earn everything.

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Copyright 2026 Blue Run Spirits Inc. Kentucky. All right. Here she is. Emma Carpenter on this week's subpar. All right. We have a very talented young lady joining us here today. She's a rising star in the sports media world. you've seen and heard her on the golf channel, PJ Tour Live,

five clubs podcasts, and the Big Ten Network for both golf and football, former University of Minnesota, All-American Scholar Emma Carpenter, joins us. How are we doing, Emma? Wow, I'm doing great. That was a very, very kind intro. Thank you guys. That's a long resume to get through, girl. We've got to tighten it up a little bit. Also, I think our first ever All-American scholar. We don't have a lot of scholars. Gary. Gary Woodland just missed. I was there, they were just giving it out.

Well, good for you. Let's talk about this. I mean, you're going right now. You are on the rise. You're killing it in the broadcasting game. At what age did you know you wanted to get into this? I know you went to the University of Minnesota, and that was one of your focus along with golf.

But when did you know this is the area you wanted to get into? Yeah, you know what? I actually decided that I wanted to go into broadcasting when I was going into school. and I knew that I wanted to play golf, I actually was a classically trained singer for a really long time. And I wanted to do vocal performance and I wanted to act. But they told me that I could not play collegiate golf and also do vocal performance. So then I pivoted. And this was conversations when I was like 17. And my dad said, hey, listen, Emma, you've always been into writing. You always love people and you love sports. Why don't we combine all of that with some of the

performance experience you have on stage and instead do sports broadcast? And I said, sure, that sounds awesome. Let's give it a whirl. And then I really just went full speed ahead. And yeah, right when I got into college and was playing golf for University of Minnesota, it was the dream that I started chasing. And yeah, I'm pinching myself every day now that it's, It's where we're doing it. It's crazy. Yeah, I mean, you're off to the races. You got a lot of stuff.

I mentioned some of it there. How much thought did you give, if any, to, like, chasing it professionally in the golf world? Or is that, like, pretty clear. I'm not going that route. You know, when I was a sophomore in college and I went through spurts, let's say spurts, of playing well, because I was definitely, I would call myself a streaky player. And when I would go through periods of time where I was playing really well, I thought about playing professional golf. I loved to compete.

Competing was honestly my favorite thing about the game. There was no better feeling to me than the high that came from pulling off a shot under pressure in a tournament, when it's being recorded. It just felt so good. But I just had so many other things that I really loved. So I really started doing the Five Clubs podcast. I started working for our Go for Digital Productions, calling play-by-play, doing color commentary for men's and women's basketball. for a volleyball and getting involved in so many other things just outside of playing golf that I was like, you know what, the pro golf lifestyle isn't for me because that's just all golf playing all

the time. And I still want to be involved in it, but I'm passionate about some other stuff. So maybe pro golf isn't for me and I can still work in it, but pursue some of my other passions as well. Well, if any of our listeners follow you on Instagram, they'll know you are on the go nonstop. Like, girl, I don't know how many flights you've been on this year. Do you have any idea how many miles are you flown this year? Because you are just, every time I see, look at something on you, you're in an airport. Yeah.

You know, I appreciate you saying that. And actually, I was talking with somebody about this the other day. I would like to figure out how many, how many flights I've been on. And I'm really fortunate, truly so fortunate. But yeah, it's been, it's been a long time. And it's usually kind of from one thing to the next. So I'm home in California right now. But I was gone for over 30 days.

And then the trip before that, I was gone for about 25 days and only a couple of days in between. So we're kind of just living out of a suitcase, which I'm very lucky to have these experiences and get to travel. What's lately kind of been, you know, even internationally and travel all over the country. It's a dream. And it's crazy. It is go, go, go. We didn't have for a month like that. Ask me that because I'll leave.

I'll be gone like a week, like maybe week and a half. That's a long trip. And it's hard to get all this stuff. If you're playing golf and then you got to dress up for maybe a thing at night. How do you get through? I mean, I'm sure you got more clothes than I do for a month of packing. Like, how many bags is that? Well, so I've been fortunate enough where I've gotten to the point where I have status on Delta to where I get like three.

I think it is maybe four free check bags and they can all be overweight. So I really rely on that. And I'm like, all right, I can have overweight bags. let's just pack anything and everything we think we could use. And then from there, we just figure it out. I'm not going to lie to you guys. I'm very type B.

And I couldn't stress myself out with what we're packing and what's going to work. So I'm just kind of like, you know, we'll figure it out. I like that. That's good. Have you had any travel nightmare situations? Like I was just coming from the Wyndham Championship had an absolute disaster. I thought we're going to have to push this podcast, actually, but we made it.

But when you travel as much, as we do. You always run into a nightmare. What's the worst so far? Ooh. Well, I mean, I've definitely gotten stuck overnight some places. That's not fun. You know, your original flight gets delayed and you miss a connection and it was going to be the last flight out. Gotten stuck overnight a couple of times. There was a time where I was trying to get from Jacksonville to San Francisco in one night. night. I had a job at MC Monday morning and I was finishing up a broadcast at the PGAT tour studio Sunday night and I needed to be there at like 8 a.m. on Sunday morning and I

missed my connection. And then I wound up being stranded overnight but then found another flight out of a regional airport. So I pulled an all-nighter just to land like an hour before I needed to be on site and then door dashed, close. Nice. Nice. I didn't even know you've You do that. My luggage didn't make it because my luggage was coming on the other flight. So then they wouldn't let me get my luggage. So then I was like, okay, I found another flight out of a regional airport. And then took that flight and then door dashed myself clothes to the golf course.

That's brilliant. I didn't know you could do it. I've done that with underwear before, by the way, when I get to the hotel and I'm like, damn, forgot. I know you could do that. I didn't know you could do like full wardrobes though. Yeah, but I lost my golf clubs for a week coming back from Scotland this year too. So that was, that was rough. but since I'm bouncing from place to place,

then, like, my golf clubs kept on getting to the place that I had just left. So then they just had to keep on rerouting and, yeah. Edinburgh and London Heathrow, I think they just collect golf clubs. Like, you'll walk in those places and there's just stacks of golf clubs everywhere. And everybody's like, yeah, I lost my clubs. I'm like, I know where they are. Yeah, I saw them.

They were actually trying to sell them to me last week. Yeah, they hoard them over there. Yeah, I hit eBay. They got all the staff over there, got a nice set of clubs. Before we get back to Emma Carpenter, a quick note from Nutreful. You notice when your swing starts to change, and you definitely notice when your hair does, too. If yours isn't looking as full as it used to, Nutrafol takes a different approach by targeting the root causes of thinning from within. They're the number one dermatologist recommended hair growth

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Well, you're back home. You mentioned I'm sure you're not here for long. You kind of got golf season winding down a little bit. You know, at least we're coming down the final stretch. Football ramping up. Like, what's next up on the calendar for you? Yeah, yeah. So definitely we've been in the thick of the season last couple of months.

So been lots of long spurts of travel. Like this last trip I was on, I did ESCO Championship for Golf Channel, then straight to Putticana for Golf Channel, then straight to Minnesota for 3M Open working on site, then straight to Washington for a golf now shoot and then straight to Jacksonville for a for a PJ Tour Live broadcast. Now I'm home. I'm actually going on a trip for leisure.

I'm going to Europe tomorrow. And then I leave and I go straight from Europe to back to PGA Tour Alive to do BMW Championship. And then I'm going straight on site to work for the Bay Golf Club at Tour Championship, the TGL team. And then I go straight to FM Championship. and then I get to come back and then I get to play in the Grass League.

So it's just, yeah, it's just kind of thing thing. And football season, I'm actually gonna, I'm super excited. Big Ten Network is hiring me to be a sideline reporter for a couple of football games on Big Ten Network this fall. So we're really pumped. Sleeze, she's slightly more organized than you.

I don't want to hear shit about your, oh, I got to go to Memphis. She's flying to Europe and then Washington and Pontivira all over the place. It's not organized, you guys, because it's all in my head. head. Yeah.

I get it. That's how I operate best, like I said, very tight B. And thank goodness for my manager and her assistant. They're amazing because they can help me stay a little bit more organized. But it's all just kind of in in the dome. I like that. In the dome. I like that.

Yeah. Yeah. I can't handle it that way. But hey, it works for you. But you mentioned you do PJ Tour Live broadcast. You've been on course as well and doing interviews. you've basically done every job there is in golf broadcasting. What would be your dream job?

Wow. You know, it's such a good question because it truly has fluctuated. And I think that I've really enjoyed taking the mindset of I'm just going to try everything. And I'm never going to say no to an opportunity. And I've been really lucky, especially too. You mix in some of the social media stuff and some of that kind of hosting and content and there's all kinds of different ways to be involved in media. And so I've been really lucky to try all kinds of different jobs.

And they all differ based on who you're working for, who you're working with. It can all be a different experience. But I would say I've very much enjoyed doing the interviews. Golf Channel, post-round interviews, hits. I think that it's all really, really fun to be able to be a part of a really special moment interviewing a winner right after their first win on the PGA tour or whatever it might be in a milestone in their career, in their life, being able to be a part of that moment and kind of let the golfer in me take over and ask them a lot of questions that I really

want to know. It's, it's been really, really special and high pressure, of course, so that makes it rewarding. Yeah. Can I ask, I got to ask about one of your jobs real quick because I just thought of this, but one of them, you do the drop occasionally with Matt Every on the golf show. Be honest. How many times does Matt Every screw up and have to do another take? It's a safe space, Emma. It's like the safest face you've ever been in. That's hilarious.

Oh, Every's got it dialed. He's in there every week. He's in there every week. I mean, he, like, because every, having played as high of a level as he did, He's definitely in there as more of like the analyst type, even though we're not doing live sports. And he's such a, such a killer personality that they kind of want him off the cuff a little bit more too.

So, I mean, he's got a routine, but, uh, that was a nice way of saying a lot. Yeah. Yeah. That's funny, though. That is funny. Every time I see the camera come on, it's like, and he's got this little grin on his face. I'm like, I want to see what happened just the like the 15 seconds before.

I feel like the outtakes of that show would be perfect. You know, we've had him on here, and I've told him this. It just, it cracks me up every time that a guy that was like a PJ tour bad boy that argued with every official there was, every executive at the PJ tour now basically lives at PJ tour headquarters. Yeah, that is funny. Well, you know what? All the players love him totally, too. So, like, every single time I'm out on site at any events, players are like, hey, do you work with every? So, I mean, it's really cool that he's got that relationship with all the guys.

And I mean, he'll tell you, Matt loved playing on the PGA tour, loved the whole experience. So, like, he lights up talking about it. Yeah, and he's, he was like a wild man on the piano. He's like straight down the pipe. I feel like a lot of the times on TV, get him riled up a little bit if you can. I want to go back to the interview thing, though, because you said that's the part you enjoy the most. I got to know because, like, there's a lot of great moments in that. But also, especially in football, like these halftime interviews, when you got to go interview, like, PJ Fleck and they're down 14 going to half and he's ready to

rip a new asshole to his entire team and you got to be like, hey, coach, you know, what can your defense do better? How are those interviews? I feel like there's got to be like a serious level of finesse with those. 100%. And you know what? It's the same thing in golf when you got to interview a guy who just missed the cut by one or a guy who bogeyed the last hole to double the last hole to finish runner up in an event. You wouldn't interview somebody who missed the cut unless it was a unique situation. But in the same thing, football and golf are very different because football, I mean, that coach is on his way at half time to go talk to his team, like he said.

So the last thing he wants to be doing is talking to you. And I feel like, oh, that's where I pull from, you know, I never played football, but that's where I pull from just like being an athlete and like knowing what kind of tone to approach someone with and like what feels respectful and what feels appropriate, I feel like as a reporter, you need to know what kind of the energy to approach someone with. And you want to be quick and you want to be efficient and you want to be respectful of the fact that he's trying to win a football game.

So it's not about you. This is about the story and it's about the guy. Have you ever had a bad one? I mean, like, oh, shit. That didn't go well. Bad question. or bad. A half time one with a pissed off coach or you ask him something he didn't want to be asked.

I mean, I've seen it happen a million times. These guys are running pretty hot. Yeah. No, not personally. Not personally. I wouldn't say so. I mean, and I really hope not.

I've definitely asked questions where, like, I wish that I would have worded it a little bit differently. But also, when you're interviewing someone who's in a state of mind like that, like they probably leave and barely even remember what you asked them. I mean, it's like that's kind of the last thing on their mind. they're worried about talking to the team. They're worried about winning a game.

So you can't beat yourself up too much because at the end of the day, the product that you put out is what is most important in that moment. And then it's live sports, so we're on to the next thing. I love that. You mentioned I mean, you're an athlete. You're a sports fan and you've done it all. You've broadcasted golf, obviously doing some football. You've done hockey, I believe, volleyball.

For you as a fan watching, rank your sports in which you like to watch the most. maybe out of the top five sports. Obviously you have to include golf somewhere. As a fan. As a fan. As a fan. Okay. Just the sport or do I need to give you like...

You're favorite to watch. If you're going out with some friends on the weekend, you're like, we got to watch this. This is my number one. Oh, man. I tell you what. Definitely, like I would put the NFL and then major championships in golf up the very top.

I think that what makes, NFL so exciting is that, you know, golf is on, golf is a long season and it's on Thursday through Sunday. The major championships are really special. Every event is special in its own way, of course, but football is a shorter season. You know, your team plays once a week. So it's just the excitement and the hype around it is so much fun. And, you know, it's not on all day like golf is. And so I would put football, but then also the majors up there. And then, Then actually volleyball. Volleyball is such a killer sport to watch, very underrated, super exciting.

And then basketball would take basketball and volleyball are right there. All sports are great for different reasons. Like going to a baseball game is so much fun. Like one of my favorite sports to go to. Like I don't follow baseball as much, like throw it up on TV, quite as much. And then same with hockey. Hockey. Hockey is electric.

But in person hockey. There's just nothing better, especially playoff hockey. Yeah. Yes. Yes. Electric. Love it. Are you, so is NFL side, are you Vikings?

Is that the team? I grew up a Bears fan because I'm from DeKale, Illinois, a little over an hour west of Chicago. So I grew up a Bears fan, but then when I went to school in Minnesota and the Vikings hired me a few times and got to moderate a Q&A with T. Hawkinson one time that was really cool and then worked for the team on the social media side a few times so at that point you know I was getting I was getting some messages from my friends in Illinois being like what are you doing because I was coincidentally always getting hired for Monday night football bears at Vikings so then I'm posting all the stuff in Vikings gear and everybody's like are you kidding me I'm like hey look this is just business it's not personal

but the Vikings are a fun franchise to root for. Well, since you're a Bears fan, I just got to ask, how are they letting them get out of the city? What are we doing here moving this stadium to possibly Indiana? Dude, there's no way. I will be so shocked if it goes to Indiana. That should, I mean, who actually, who wants that to happen? Nobody.

Besides people who live in Indiana. Yeah. I mean, it's got to be close to the city. I mean, that's what that city's all about. I know, I know. And I mean, like, everyone kind of agreed. that Soldier Field needs big upgrade.

Nobody really loves Soldier Field. But, I mean, it definitely can't leave the state. That's for sure. Yeah. I didn't know that was a possibility until I heard about it. Here's you one.

Better golf courses in Chicago or Minneapolis area. This is a crazy hot take. Minneapolis area. Wow. All right. Spring Hill. Let's hear.

Let's hear. Give me the top five. Chicago's are pretty well known. Chicago's are, give me the top five, Minneapolis. Chicago, Chicago's are well known, but what's cool, I mean, I would actually be interested to know which has more championship golf, because there's a lot of championship golf in Minnesota. I mean, the Rider Cup's going back to Hazeltine, and personally, I wouldn't even say that Hazeltine is like in my top three of courses around that area. And they're all within like 30 minutes of each other. And Chicago, you know, there's lots of great courses.

And, I mean, you're talking Chicago Golf, Butler, National, like, tons of really, really crazy good places. But also not as easy to get to. They're all in way different areas. Minneapolis is like right around the Twin Cities. You got, you got Hazeltine, you got Spring Hill, one of the best courses I've ever played. Spring Hill, Interlocking, Olympic Hills, one of my favorite places. The home of Fernie. You got Golden Valley.

You got Minneapolis Golf Club. I mean, lots of really good golf. I love that you said Olympic Hills. I just two day, during the three of them, I played there Thursday and Friday. Love that place. One of the best patios in golf too. Oh, yeah.

You know, it's brand new. Yeah. That's great. Yeah. You got to, when you're talking golf courses, for me one day when I think about, if I'm lucky enough to belong, somewhere be a member at a good course,

you got to think about the hang. Yeah, 100%. I think that's more important than the golf. You got to, it's got to be fun. Yeah, I think about here in L.A., like Bel Air has the coolest hang. And I love the course, but most people prefer Riviera, but it's just like, you know, the golf, golf, golf, not the same level of people are hanging on the patio, smoking cigars, told to it.

am. That's like night and day. I kind of like that Bel Air. And that golf course is good too. It's not like a like is it L.A. North or Rive, maybe not. But it's a really good golf course, but like the actual vibe there compared the other ones that are great in L.A. Like it's not even comparable. Like that's the only place one of the only places you can go. A couple of other. Yeah. I played in the USM at Bel Air like three years ago and then just yeah, fell in love with it. Did you ever play it before they redid it? the like the golf course or the clubhouse the golf course no it was so much harder i mean it was so narrow tree line they took out so many trees i mean it's like the first hole used to be a hallway

going down the hill there now it's really yeah great first tea though yes great first tea shot no that place is oh yeah with the la skyline it's sick yeah sitting on the patio a little blue run with cigar watch some guys top it off the first tea what can be better speaking of blue run Tell us about your relationship with them. Yeah, you know, I'm super, super pumped to be working with Blue Run this year. I mean, it's my first real long-term relationship with Spirit. And I think that I actually, it was my first time trying it this summer as well. And we did a shoot here in Southern California.

and just, I tell you what, the Blue Run high rye bourbon whiskey, so good. And I tell you what, I actually, I have always really liked whiskey. I feel like that probably just goes right along with the golfer in me. It's probably pretty on brand. So I just feel like the golf and whiskey pairing is a pretty magical duo. And we did a shoot here in Southern California and had a drink after we're trying their, their latest bourbon. And I think it's so smooth, so delicious.

It's that kind of the bottle, everything about it, is just that quiet luxury kind of feel. Well, I'll tell you this. We agree with you. It's delicious. We got it sitting right here. Nothing better on a little Monday afternoon, a little bourbon. Get you through the day. There's a little less than it than there was when we got it.

Yeah, absolutely. It's love it. We're very proud to be partners with them as well, but that's such a cool thing y'all are doing over there at Blue Run. Before we let you go, we're going to get to the E9 here. Have a little fun with this. Got some friends that might have submitted some questions, so this isn't on us. I'm going to start with this one here. And I have no idea how this could go. But I heard back in your college days, the Ohio State program, the men's golf team might have liked you a little bit, and you might have had a little fun with them. Did you happen to send maybe a little video to the team? I can not believe this video has resurfaced. I haven't seen it. I haven't seen it. I've just been told about it. Just heard about it. So you can say anything.

Can't reveal sources, Emma. If you want to comment on it, you can't. You know, you're a journalist yourself. You don't reveal your sources. Okay. Is that the whole question? I don't have, I seriously have no clue. Is this something we're missing?

If it's bad, You don't have to obviously say anything about it. We'd be like, nope, we're skipping this. No, it's not bad at all. Oh, good. So basically what happened. It's so funny. Actually, and I forgot that I had even done this, but my assistant coach at University of Minnesota, Matt Higgins, he is the man.

We're super tight. He's awesome. And he is good friends with the head coach at Ohio State and for the men's team. And then coach comes up to me and he's like, hey, says to me and my teammate, like, we're at practice. And he's like, can you take a quick video like for my buddy's team? He just wants you to say, call out a couple players names and then say, oh, you guys should stop laying up on par fives and probably learn how to talk to girls.

Oh, damn, coach. And then so we're like, sure. Okay, sure. So we're like, oh, hey, so and so, so and so who we'd never met. And we're like in our locker room. Like, hey, so and so and so. You guys should stop playing up on par fives, probably learn how to talk to girls. Just kidding.

Have great season. Play well. And then I'm at TGL working for the Bay Golf Club. And Neil Shipley is, it was the day he got the hole in one at TGL, first ever TGL, whole in one. He was playing as a sub that day for the Bay. And he comes up to me and he's like, hey, Emma, you sent a video to my team just chirping a couple of my teammates.

And it was so funny. And like this video has been circulating in our group chat for like a while. And I was like, at first I was like, wait, what? I had no memory of it. I was like, wait a second. What? And then I texted my friend and I was like, hey, did we send some video?

And then she's like, yes, the Ohio State coach asked us to send a video, chirping the players, like, funny requests. So we just like did it. I was like, no kidding. That's so funny. And then Neil like sent it to me that night. He's like, hey, by the way, this is the video because I asked him to send it to me. And I was like, oh my gosh, I totally forgot about it.

Beautiful. I love that. Was Neil one of the, he wasn't one of the ones getting called out by name? No, he wasn't the ones getting called out because I feel like then I would have definitely remembered it because at least if he was asking me about it because then I was like man who were we talking to at the time too

I couldn't remember it was so on a whim that's good that's good advice too quit laying up right how to talk to girls bet you didn't think we're going to get into that today yeah this next one goes back to when you were 12 no I'm kidding you talked about it early like you want to go into like singing your trained

vocalists and you've done a ton of like national anthems and performances give me the most nerve-wracking vocal performance you've ever had. Ooh. Most nerve-wracking vocal performance, it would be definitely a tie between I sing the national anthem for the Big Ten Women's Basketball Championship game. It was sold out at Target Center. And it was when Caitlin Clark, her last year in Iowa won the game.

So, I mean, it won the championship. So that was a really, really big. one. That was the biggest crowd I sang for, but a close second would be, it was, the gophers were playing UMD at Mario, at Mariucci and hockey. And it was completely sold out, standing room only. So the sold out Mariucci was just the craziest feeling. I definitely slipped when I walked out onto the ice. And something for sure about singing and knowing that. that like, you know, all your classmates are there and your fellow athletes and stuff.

It's vulnerable for sure. That's cool, though. I have a question on that, follow up on that. Even though, like, we've all heard it two million times. We know the words backwards and forwards. Do you ever get nervous? Like, what if I just all of a sudden blank for a minute? Forget the words.

You know, I get that question all the time. And I would actually say, the words are so burned into my memory. I feel like I've messed up a lot just in terms of, I tried to do a riffer run and it didn't really pan out the way I wanted it to. But I've never forgotten the words. Knock on wood. I've never forgotten the words. That's well done.

I messed up my riffer runs time and again too. Nothing to be a shame. Oh, it happens to the best of us. Don't worry. Well, we mentioned you're part of the Five Clubs podcast. And the main man over there is one of our favorites, Gary Williams. And I'm sure, I don't know if you know him, but I know you've seen it over at the Golf Channel, Brandl, Shambly.

So I need to know who do you think takes longer to get ready with all this nonsense they wear? Gary Williams or Brandl Chambley. Oh, that's good. That's funny because they both are pretty buttoned up and they both have long, long histories of doing TV studio. Gary wears eight layers. Gary, there's no better dress man in the world than Gary. And he's got great hair from him. They got a fight over that chair.

He really does, doesn't he? He really does. You know what? I know Gary really, really well. He's been an incredible mentor for me. I don't know Brandel personally. And I'm going to say, Brandl is my guess,

only because as nice as Gary looks, I've never heard him talk about clothes or getting ready or anything. Every time we chitch at it's golf and life. And not to say that Brandle would, I don't know for sure. But for a man who's always dressed to the nines, he has never wanted to talk about clothes or fashion or anything. Although one time, his wife, bless her heart, came up to me and was like,

hey, I got to tell you, you missed a belt loop in your pants. You got to pay attention to that stuff. The Williams know. Gary would never. Gary would never. He has to travel with like four bags like you when he goes. For a weekend. He said with him at Augusta.

Honestly, it's like not that bad. but you'll just pop out going to a quick dinner and he's like just to I'm like dude what are we doing or a weekend trip dude relax yeah yeah he's got it he's got it way more together than me that's for sure yeah he's a good one he's a good one um I'll give you let's see right here give me just to this point in your career if you had to pick one highlight like the coolest moment you've had maybe you interviewed somebody or filmed something with somebody it stands out to you Wow. That is so hard. I've been so fortunate. You guys, I've been so fortunate. And I had to pick one.

Like, I saw you did a thing with Adam Scott, like where you play. I think you played them at Tor. It might have been Tori. And you, I don't think. And you played with them. I was like, that's got to be pretty nerve-wracking in front of the guy with arguably the prettiest swing in the history of the game. And you're like, hey, watch me. Totally. Well, I mean, walked with Ludwig Ober. for his practice round, got to film with him and Min Woo Lee. And one of the first jobs I ever worked

was filming with Jason Day. And, I mean, just so many cool guys out there. I would say, you said the coolest thing I've ever done? Yeah, just like a highlight from, like, Media World. I would definitely say that day at Torrey Pines with Billy Horshill and Adam Scott would be up there. That would be up there for sure. Especially because it doesn't always happen, but my swing was feeling pretty good that day too.

So it was low pressure, just getting to hang out, film the content. Although, I mean, it's really tough to be being live on Golf Channel. I really enjoyed doing golf's longest day, doing the winning interview. I mean, when you have in your ear and Emma, we're coming to you. And three, two, we're going to send it down to Emma. It's like, I mean, the adrenaline is, is really hard to describe and feeling like, oh, I was really present through it and just enjoyed it and got to celebrate the moment with somebody is, there's really no more rewarding feeling. But, yeah, and working with Titleist is really up there, too. I mean, gosh, I got to film for, they let me bring my teammate, my best friend, the same one I mentioned earlier with the Ohio State story.

Grace Curran and she got to come with and we filmed in the Bay Area for the release of Titleist's new T-Series irons. And they put out this, you know, commercial and all the promo stuff. And it's like Ludwig Oberg and Justin Thomas hitting balls. And then it's me and Grace hitting balls. All of our college buddies are texting us like, are we looking at the right thing right now? Are you guys actually in this video? So that's up there. That's beautiful.

All right. last one for me here, and I'm getting conflicting reports here, so I need you to clean this up for me. But you had a big match with Jay Billis out at Pinehurst. Okay, one side of the story says you beat his ass like Tiger beat Stephen Ames at the match play back in the day. The other side of the story says that you should have been decued and he actually didn't lose. Wait, why should I have been decued? I just... We don't know. I haven't heard that side of the story yet. I'll just read you the comment because I asked the man, Jay Billis.

heard she whipped your ass she decued i was last one standing at best she was roberto de vincenzo which is back in the day but i got man that got decued from the masters wrong scorecard yeah should have been dequeued oh man that's tough you know what i tell you what something i know for sure oh j is going to kill me like i said safe space i know for sure i did not have it that day I did not have it that day. I bet he beat me for Gary played good. Greg Olson, he's the only one who actually, who actually should have been D-Qed because he about walked off the course.

And, but I will say, granted, I was playing a little further up T, but I'll never forget. We were on the 11th hole in Pinehurst number two and Jay's getting a number from his catty, like, way back in the fair. way and Gary looks at me and he goes, I mean, seriously, what's going on here? He's a hundred behind me. He's 75 behind Emma. What's going on? Those two. Poor Jay was getting chirped for his length off the tee, but he was not, he was, I did not think that I beat him that day. Well, according to Gary, you beat him like a drum. I got the same report. I got the same report. I got

the same report. Bill is a former attorney though, by the way. He can twist the truth, you know. He knows how to do it. You're in good company. Those two are two of the best right there. No question. They really are. They really are. And we've got a big rematch. Jay and I've been talking about it for years. We got a big rematch at Charlotte Country Club. So no, hopefully someday. That place is just getting ready to reopen. Yeah. They're redoing it right now. I've never been. I haven't either. Never been. But I've heard it's pretty spectacular. No question. We had a little overlap there. So that's the final of the E9 there, Emma. We got to thank you so much for your time.

You're probably getting on a plane here in the next 10 or 12 minutes. So I'm sure you're going to stay busy. But thank you so much and keep up the great work with everything you're doing. Cheers to you, Blue Run Spirits. You're amazing. Thank you so much. You guys are the best. I'm really grateful you had me on.

All right, that was Emma Carpenter joining us on Subpar. I've never met her in person until right then. Big fan. Yeah, she's awesome. She gets it. Talking about clubs and the hang and all that. I'm like, yeah, that's exactly. Exactly what matters.

And busy. Busy. Those nerds over at Ohio State apparently don't know how to talk to girls. Laying up like bums. That's great. Bums. Billis, we might need you to come on and defend yourself here. I'm not sure which way.

She actually thought she lost. Conflicting info. Yeah, Gary might have pumped her tires a little bit. But she's awesome. Special shout out to her. Also, Blue Run Spirits. What a great team that is. Also, before we get out of here, Sleeze,

give a little love to Astros Talley, who won the U.S. Women's Amateur at the honors course. and this week stroke play is underway right now up at Marion the U.S. Amateur is underway so someone's life is going to change this weekend can't wait to watch that. Did you ever play in this? Yeah, maybe.

Yeah, one for me really, one and done. If you just made it to match play, you know, things are different. I was like, I'm looking for a bigger stage. Just like if I would have stayed broke. The Jicks. If I would have stayed amateur, I mean, you know, Trevor wouldn't have won the Masters in 2008. Oh, shit could look different. He'd be a whole announcement.

He'd be out there walking around Memphis. But it's going to be awesome. Marion, I mean, that's one of the greatest golf courses there is. It's going to be awesome to see that on TV. Yeah, I can't one of, legitimately one of my favorite golf events to watch the entire year. First day when they got 64 out there and there's just close matches everywhere, it's awesome. Especially at a course like that, which I haven't played in really bad ones too.

You haven't played Marion? I haven't played Marion. Oh, I know. I know a few people. I know. We can get it done. I just got to make my way over there. And I love Philly.

You know how I love Philly. You should go. You should go. I will go. I love Philly. Yeah, should go. I will go.

Go to the saloon as well. That's right. All right. That's going to do it for us. Hope everyone has a great week, and we'll talk to you on next week's subpar.