Subpar - Harold Varner III Interview: Getting big timed by Tiger, Playing Slaughterhouse XXIII with Michael Jordan

Episode Date: June 8, 2021

On this week's episode of GOLF's Subpar, PGA Tour pro Harold Varner III joins former PGA Tour pro Colt Knost and jicky jack legend Drew Stoltz for an exclusive interview from Quail Hollow. The ECU alum talks joining the Jordan brand, getting big timed by Tiger Woods, and his experiences dabbing in honor of Cam Newton, while grouped with Colt, at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Hello world. Welcome to another week of golf subpar, Colt Nost and Drew Stoltz. And Slees, we just had the memorial, one of the best golf courses on the PGA tour, but that was not the highlight of the week or the low light of the week. Our man John Rom, unbelievable, was playing some of the best golf of his life, just dominating an incredible field around Muirfield Village. And then Saturday taps in for a little fine around 64. We find out he tested positive for COVID before the round. Yeah, after the last two years, I'm pretty sure Rom's going to have PTSD,

walking from walking off that 18th green last year you got the penalty with the ball moving this year they come out and they tell them on the 18th green by the way that hey dude you have COVID you're gonna have to wd of all the things that took place all right we get in all the vaccine stuff all the different stuff but at the end of the day the protocol the rules that they put in place if you test positive for COVID during the tournament you got a WD that's the rule that stinks it sucks it sucks for ROM it sucks for his caddy sucks for everybody the only issue I had with the whole thing was like I didn't get why you got to tell the guy on the 18th green I think you were putting ROM in a position to really look like an idiot if he doesn't take that news very well. Luckily he did. I think he handled the whole thing about as well as you can for a guy that you're just stripping 1.6 million from. It's gaddy too. I mean, that thing was going to be a runaway. You can't convince me that anybody was holding that trophy at the end of the week other than John Rom. But telling him on the 18th green dude, like, you know, Rom gets fired up about stuff, man. Like he could have easily lost his mind and then the cameras are right there. It's like, why can you just walk the guy in, tell him to put on a mask, hey, we got something we need to talk to you about and go to an inside. Yeah, I think,

you know, looking back, the tour probably wishes. Well, they're obviously very thankful that Rom handled it the way he did because I'm with you. He could have lost his shit right there on the 18th green. And it would have been a scene. It had been, you know, worldwide news everywhere. It was worldwide news because here's a guy dominating a golf tournament and he has to withdraw and just go home or actually, you know, sit in Columbus, Ohio now for 10 days before the U.S. Open because of this, you know, testing positive for COVID when, you know, he didn't even feel anything. Like, he didn't even know he had it.

You know, he was just, he was having to test every day because of contact tracing. He came in contact, you know, with someone the week before, apparently. So he was testing every day was negative all the way, all the way throughout the week. And then all of a sudden, bam, here it comes. Saturday afternoon, all hell breaks loose. And I tell you what, though, you know, you got to give it to John. He handled it very, very well. I was talking with him that night.

He's like, listen, man, it sucks. It's part of life. You know, I'm very fortunate that I'm okay. My family's okay. But it does suck. It does suck. And his family's okay. They're coming over.

from overseas for the first time in like almost two years, I believe. And he was looking forward to that, spending time with his family. Now this throws a wrench and all that. I mean, it was a, it's the nightmare scenario for the PJ tour. When we first started playing golf again after COVID, like we were throwing out all the hype. What if this happens? What if this happens? Well, one of them was, what if a guy tests positive on Sunday when he's holding a huge lead?

And it's a big tournament. It just turns out. Just so happened. John Rahm, one of the marquee players on the PJ tour at a big tournament at Jack's house. Goes in. We had that exact situation happened. It's like the first kind of black guy, I think. Yeah, you know, we've been, they've been doing great.

You know, there hasn't been much going on as far as this, you know, a few people here and there. But this one, I mean, you brought up a great point on our serious XM show. You're like, what if this was Sunday? Exactly. I mean, and here he is, they find out, you know, say the rain delay happened and, you know, he had to finish his third round Sunday morning. Then he tests again. He goes back out and they find out when he's, I believe, on around hole 11 or 12.

And they're like, okay, this isn't good. We got to retest. We got to double check it, which they do. And they found out about 20 minutes before he finished. Like, what then? Yeah. they come get him on 16, 17 green and be like, hey, bud, you tested positive. You're out of here.

Go ahead. And you got a 100 shot lead. Go ahead and finish this thing up. You're up by 8, but once you're done, you got a WD. But go ahead and celebrate and do all that. I mean, that's the only, like, I guess if you want to look glass half full that it didn't happen on Sunday because I don't know what you do. I mean, if you're the PJ tour, you know that's going to be the absolute worst case

scenario. Do you let the guy finish? I don't think you can. If it comes out there, hey, you knowingly let a guy walk around and play, finish the tournament with COVID? Like the uproar from that and the backlash from that would outweigh the black eye that you'd get from, you know, letting John Rom finish it. I mean, that's the huge question mark is what if it was the final round? But what happens going forward?

Do you think now other players have seen this? Like, I know the players were involved with all the decision making leading up to, you know, resumption of play and all that. Do you think they address it now and try to – because people were saying, hey, let him play by – let him play as a single. Let him play one group behind. Wear a mask. Do you think there's any sort of, like, work around for that? Do you think there's any sort of, like, work around for that? I don't think there's any way they could let him play.

Like I was all for like, hey, let's test him again, see if he can get a couple negatives before he tees off. But you know, you have to have that 24-hour window. I think there'll be some adjustments made, but I don't think you can let a guy out there playing that is currently positive for COVID-19. Like, it's just, I mean, granted, no one's probably going to be around him. Yeah. But I just don't think you can do take that risk and let him play it. But I do think they're going to look at this and be like, okay, what can we do to make this, you know, better going forward in case this does happen again? Yeah, I don't know what it is.

And realistically, could Rahma played by himself with no, you know, would not come in contact with anyone else, all that? Maybe, maybe you get around and do that so it doesn't look terrible what you're doing. But like the reality is that that's been the rule from day one. This has happened. Other guys have had to WD earlier in the week. We haven't really seen it on Saturday after a third round. But like 18 under par. Some weird exception.

Like, all right, Rom, you play as a single back here and carry your own, all the stuff that people were throwing out, right? What about the guys that have already, you know, had the WD from tournaments? Like, well, I had a WD. Why don't you let me play by myself? If I could have made the cut, I would have made some money. I would have got some FedEx cut points. Could have kept my card. Why are you making an exception for John?

Just because it's, you know, John Rom and it's the final round. He's leading by six. I think they did what they had to do, but it just sucks because like that's the, that's the nightmare. And we haven't really seen it up until now. All the COVID cases really have been before the week started and they got him out of there. This is the first time we've seen it. And it was John Rom leading by six at Jacks. I mean, 18 under par through three rounds running away with it.

And I tell you this, I mean, it sucks that he went out. But as far as a viewing standpoint, it made it more interesting. Obviously, they had to talk about that a lot, but then you have Colin Moracawa and Patrick Cantlay tied for the lead going into Sunday. And it was a hell of a tournament with, you know, Patrick Canley ended up winning it in a playoff. You know, I have, I asked you this earlier today. I had a problem with what happened in the playoff. And I don't think it got talked about enough. So Colin Moracow hits it right down the middle of the fairway.

First of all, regulation is over. Okay. We're going to a playoff. Well, they got that massive downpour. Right before, you know, when they were on 17, they stopped playing. for a second. They didn't ram some more. Hammer. And then they go to the playoff. Well, why not say, you know what, guys? We just got a shit ton of rain in a very quick time.

We're going to let you all play it up in the fairway. Because he hit that drive down the middle of fairway and it landed and it bounced backwards. And I go, that's about to be a problem. And then they get up there and there's Dottie there's Dottie Pepper saying there's mud all over this golf ball. And it was on the front and she's like, in my experience, when you got it on the front, it nose dives. And it's exactly what happened. He hit one, fell out of the sky, goes up, ends up making bogey. Patrick Cantley makes a par and gets a bar and the job done. I thought that was, I've been told, like, you can't change it because the play's

already started, but in my opinion, that's absolutely ridiculous because we're at sudden death now. A whole new thing started. I thought that was a big whip. There's no more field. There's two guys. You have to protect the field. It's like if two guys, maybe you propose it to the two guys, hey, do you want to play it up? I don't know. It makes all the sense in the world to me that in that situation, hey, it just dumped for however many minutes it did. The golf courses changed a little bit. Do you guys want to play it up? If they're both like, yeah, let's just play it up. Are you cool with it? Yeah, all right, then do it. Totally agree. So, because at this point, you don't got to worry anybody else. It's just two guys. But that shot, Colin hits, like, from the best iron player

legitimately, statistically, in the world. He hit that shot. I thought the shot tracker was off or glist or something. He just started laughing when he hit it. I mean, it was like a top spin forehand. I was like, you can't, you can't get a ball in a knuckle like that, you know. Obviously, I heard a little more since I was all over Colin Moracowal last week. We'll get to that later. But, you know, congratulations to Patrick Cantley wins once again at Jack's place. You know, hadn't been in the best form coming in. But something about that place brings out the best in him and look out heading into Torrey Pines. Yeah, just a matter of time for Patrick.

He's one of those guys that you can bank on, and it's been a little bit of a downstretched frame, mostly with the putter, which is strange because he's normally rock solid on the greens, but he's one of those guys to see a couple bad weeks, like, whatever. Yeah, it's not. Tell you what, though. Look out for our man John Romer on Tori Pines.

He already likes the place. Now he's got a little more of a chip on his shoulder. Look out. Well, I say before, pissed off Spaniard, dangerous Spaniard. There ain't nothing he wants to do more than go up to Tori and win that thing. All right. Well, we got a very special interview this week. our guy, HV3, Harold Varner, one of the biggest personalities on the PGA tour, sat down with us in

Charlotte a few weeks ago. Oh, what a blast, dude. I mean, he's one of those guys. I feel like we say it a lot, but, like, want to sit down and grab a beer with the tour player? He'd be one. He's one of those guys that, I think he's a lot like Andres, and you can see it come out in an interview a little bit, Andres Gonzalez, is just always positive. Never taking the negative approach.

Oh, something bad happens. Like, he bounces back. He doesn't dwell on the negative. He's always a glass half full guy. And he's infectious. It's fun to be around when he's in the room. He is. All right.

Well, let's get to it. Here's Harold Varner on Golf Subpar. All right, before we get to HV3, I want to tell you about our friends at Taylor Made. Sleez, every tour pro on Earth squares by Eurthane golf balls, and there are plenty of expensive options for tour golf balls for those that want it. And that's why we got the tailor-made tour response. Sleaves, this golf ball is unbelievable.

And the best part is, it doesn't cost as much as all the others. Of course, dude. Tour response is a tour quality ball that doesn't cost as much as other tool balls. I'm sick of going in, firing off a couple sleeves into the des, into the weeds, whatever, going in, paying a gris for more golf balls. If you're tired of doing that too, get you the tour response. It's a three-piece. You're a thing golf ball that's easy to compress.

That's nice and easy to launch, easy to play with, delivers the type of spin that tour players would love in a ball that's designed for you, Cole. Sounds incredible. Launch is high, goes far, spins a lot, and it costs less. What else do you need? All right, well, try Taylor-made tour response. Swear buy it, not at it.

That's promo code subpar TM. Go pick you up the tour response golf ball from Taylor Made. Now here's Harold Varner the 3 on golf subpar. I'm going to bring it in. Hey, guys, we're on. know the name of your podcast. Hey guys, we're on subpar. There it is. There it is. Pro shit. All right. We got a man of many talents with us here today.

He's the 81st ranked player in the world. I didn't know that. You do now. Thanks for the up there. Congrats. One of the biggest personalities on tour, host his own podcast, handsome dude, does it all. Harold Barner, the third. Welcome. Obviously, we're not scared to lie on this podcast. Exactly. Just go home and go to sleep. I do nothing. But welcome. We've been planning this for quite a while. I'm glad we finally got you. We got you in your own backyard, luckily.

I'm not really good at showing up. You're a tough one to lock down. No, I just, if I can find any way out, I can do it next time. You know what I spend time with me and Siles? That's not the problem. It's just when you just run yourself ragged, you know, like every chance you can get to not do anything, you do it unless you have to absolutely do it. You just added some with your mix. You guys gave me an incentive, you know, a little bit of cash.

I was like, I'll show up. Yeah, yeah. Parents Steve. We're telling people that stuff. Keep that on the hot. Didn't want to spill the beans, but thank you guys. I'm really excited to be here. You know, it's been an honor.

Turn it on. Turn it on. Are we done yet? All right, well, let's get to know Harold Barnard III. I mean, obviously started golf at a very young age. Your dad put a club in your hands at age, too. Yeah, I don't know what he was thinking, but I'm sure it was like the Fisher Prize things. Yeah, my dad obviously loves golf and, you know, we've played a lot together, but I just couldn't imagine, as I'm, you know, I'm about to have a kid.

kid, I'm like, put a golf club in their hands too. I'm just trying to give them to be quiet at too from a thing. Yeah, I got a few old. She had a long ways away from holding a golf club, I can tell you that. How old were you when you're like, this is my thing, this is what I'm going to do? So when I turned

nine at our local course, this guest municipal, just like right down the road it's called Katava Creek now. They had this deal. I mean, like, it's a hundred bucks from June 1st until September 1st, Monday through Friday, you can play golf. Like, it's, I mean, just think about what you've done with a hundred bucks.

Like, I mean, what I did with a hundred bucks today. What have you done? Hey, ballet guy. All right, there you go, bud, whatever. But just the... Damn, I'll park your car. How many cars he got? Hey, it's for the week.

So I just, basically just my dad would drop me off on his way to work and my mom would pick me up or she wouldn't. I'll just be out there, you know, all day. So I had access. That's the biggest thing I think about getting better at golf is just being able to go play whenever you want so i had a great opportunity there yeah you said it was a municipal golf course tell us a little about it because i mean some kids grow up you know the country club life yeah so you a little different for you yeah uh what was it like i mean it was awesome there's like 50 you know it's like 20 to 50 kids that did this thing so like every day there's just a group of kids

that would play i mean we didn't do everything right all the time so there's these old men that would just be like you know policeness out there so was it fun yeah it was good when you weren't in trouble but it seems like at the start we were always doing something we shouldn't have been doing what's the most trouble you got in i hit i got hit into and there we go and like just kind of rolled and i just picked it up and i hit it back and i got suspended who hasn't done that as a kid i every time i didn't know it seemed like i was the only one in gastonia i hit it back i was like i don't know it right thing i did it back though it was like quick hooks i was like damn they don't even know I hit it back. I almost smoked these people. I had a just want a good idea. It happened to me too.

These guys hit into us like four times. They hated us kids being out there and we were waiting on the group in front of us and they hit one and I teed it up and sit it right back at them. You're going to have it. Pro didn't like that one too much. And it landed 30 yards short of them. That's not true. They were old. I believe it. I could get there. You rep Gastonia. Is I'm saying it right? Gistonia, North Carolina, pretty hard. Give us the Harold Varner tour through the town. What's that town like? It's like if you drive and you blink you'll go right through it. No, it's a great, it's a great place, a lot of great people. I always say this. I think it takes a village to raise a kid. Parents can't do it by themselves and gas attorney is basically my, you know, my village. And then obviously it got

bigger as I got older. Being in Charlotte, you know, Charlotte's a big place, but there's a lot of people that are doing a lot of good things and they run in the same circles that I feel like. has there or will there be a Harold Varner, maybe street, statue, ooh, yeah. I hope not, because I think if you want to help someone, you just do it because it's the right thing to do.

One of these in downtown? That would be awesome. That shouldn't be downtown, though. That should be put in every, like the front of every golf course. I got to witness it up close and personal. That's a great. That's right.

Thank you. I was hoping we'd hit on this. Of course we will. Colt, go ahead and ask the question so I can just proudly say. Well, I don't have rid of it. Teed up. I got paired with Harold Varner. We're skipping a lot of stuff.

No, actually, Colt, let me ask you, Colt, do you remember what happened at the Waste Manson, the year that the Panthers were running over everyone? I mean, everyone, do you remember? I remember I got paired with you, which is always a joy. All right. I always, I mean, my first thing on Tuesday at noon, I mean, I'm like on PJ Tourlings at noon, refreshing to see who I get to play with Thursday, Thursday Friday. And I get Harold Barner at least manager, the baseball.

The Carolina Panthers are in the Super Bowl. And I'm like, and we just thumped the Arizona Cardinals? You like, who was that? Actually, he just thumped them. They get the one team you don't want to talk about, but it's all right. We'll leave that alone for now. Well, we dumped them the week before. I went to the game, and I just will never forget, like, how excited I was the Panthers

were going to be. You're going to get the end of this one. I hate you. Yeah, keep going, keep going. You're going to get the opportunity. I remember I remember we're teeing off, or team off, like, either last off. Somehow we're going to make it on 16 in the afternoon, but there was a frost delay. It was something.

Either we were first off, or we were like last off teen off of one, and there was a frost delay. So by the time we get to 16, everyone was just going to be super drunk. So I'm telling Cole, I'm like walking off the first tee, I'm like, dude, you know I'm going to birdie. I'm going to birdie 16. I mean, it for sure is going to happen. And he's like laughing. You know, he's, I mean, he's like been on tour around. I'm like, dude, I'm just telling you, I'm going to dab everywhere.

This was your first time. Oh, yeah. I mean, I couldn't wait. Like literally. had this plane in my head. I'm going to put on this jersey. I'm going to do this. And I remember her the jersey didn't come in. I was like, well, since we beat the Cardinals, I'm going to dabbing even harder, you know, whatever. And we get the 16, and I'll never forget this. We're sitting there. And I'm like, this pins in the back. It's like, I remember it's like 178 yards. I'm like,

whatever, you know, I'm hitting seven. I'm going to try to hold this if I can. But if you, if you don't hold it, you're making double. It's the one pin you don't go at on this screen. Most of it's like, in my cat. Gosh, in my case. like we're just going to hit the eight and we'll just put it up to it. I literally, I hit this eight iron and it was like 30 feet short. I about cried. I was so mad at everyone. I didn't say a word to anyone. Walk, you know, just miserable. Everyone's yelling. I'm like, I'm going to make this. I'm going to. And we get up there and I'm just like smiling. I'm like, but in my head, all I can think of is this putt going in. I should try this more often. But I get up there and I read it.

I haven't said a word to my caddy other than like, thanks for my ball or whatever. And this literally, when this put was from like me to that camera, it was going to. going in. I mean, I couldn't wait. I should have just danced when I saw this. I should have done it then. But I remember Susan when I saw just like drop his head. Oh my God. God. God. It was damn it. It was the greatest thing. Not the greatest thing I've ever done on tour, but it was, it might be number one of my list. I remember. You almost got pay the bills with the dab. I missed the cut, but, you know. You're Bernie 16 though. You're one of the guys like embraces that environment. You love that. If there were more, if every hole on PJ tour was like that, Do you think it be world number one, maybe two? I'd be close.

You'd be there, huh? Chances. I mean, it's just golf's such a traditional sport. I think we're going to do a good job of bringing both together. I think there's a lot of courses that need stuff like that to happen to make it where people go out and watch. So I'm all for it. I think kids are way more into that than people. Like I could only imagine 20 years from now, like being a parent, taking a kid out there at like 10.

I mean, that just ain't the place for a 10-year-old. I mean, he's going to grow up in like an hour. What was that, dude? So, do you want to just focus on that Thursday shot or do you want to talk about Friday shot at all? No, Friday doesn't matter. No, we'll go to Friday. The jersey came in. Go ahead, Colt.

The jersey came in. We get there on Friday. He puts it on. He's going to hit it. Literally, I can't even breathe. He's like, this is going to work. So I hit first, and he's way longer than me, obviously, like everyone out there is. And I hit an eight iron in there 20 feet.

Good shot. Okay? Oh, man. I look over, and Harold's got eight iron in his hand. And he's jacked. I mean, they got the jersey on. They've already bowed him. You got to look like my driver.

It's just like. And I'm like, I look at his catty ran. I'm like, this ain't it. And he goes, I can't talk. He couldn't talk him out of it. And this thing, I thought it was going to go out of the stadium. How far was the hole playing at that time? 160.

And you got eight? Dude, this eight iron probably went 180 yards. And you got adrenaline. Here's the best part. I got the luckiest break. It didn't go flying over the bunk. It stayed right on top over the bunker. I was like, all right, you know, I'm thinking I have a chance in my head.

You know, like as an optimistic person, like, oh, dude, I'll get this up and down. I get up there, and I'm just like, I'm about to like say a little prayer before I even hit this. I don't dump this right in this, you know, after dabbing on everyone the day before. They've already forgotten about that. And I get up there and they're like, they're booing and I chip it up there like 10 feet, like sick chip. Like sick. Sick. Like I don't even spin the ball.

I hit like little like clinkers that like dumped down there and they roll. And this thing like has spin on it. I'm like, what do you know I can do that? So I get in there and I make it. And I'd dab again. It was awesome. It was great. I love that.

So now it's just like a common, everyone's like, I'm like, man, we went on a run that year. Like Charlotte was one of the, I mean, it was so amazing, like just being, you know, of age and actually being able to enjoy,

like, the town properly. Because last time we were there, it was terrible, you know, 2004, I think it was the last time we went to a Super Bowl. And, I mean, in 2004, I legally wasn't doing much at all.

Yeah, legally. Sneak that in there. We got a little ahead of ourselves there because it was exciting. We did not. We did not get ahead. That was the one story I wanted to correct. We definitely got it.

We got to talk a little bit about the corn fairy tour, though, because it's pretty cool. I mean, you turned bro in 2012. You get out on the corned fairy tour in 2014. I mean, you had a good year. You finished 30th yet. Yeah. Which top 20th on the money list, top 25, get their PGA tour card. I wasn't.

I wasn't ready. That's what I was going to ask. Did you look at that year as like a positive or you're like, damn, I was so close. Man, I had one bill. I had a card payment of $162. I was like, I'm rich. We're good. I ain't ever leaving.

It's fine. This is perfect. So I learned a lot, but I was rich, and it was awesome. Like, I wasn't prepared to be on tour. Because if I, you know, think about it, if I'd have played well like that, you know, just that decent on the tour. But I remember when I got done playing, when I got done playing that year, I was like, well, then from that close, I mean, literally all I got to do is make, like, one more part. So it was just my transition was awesome, I guess, just because I didn't go out there and have to grind. The first scare I ever had was, I guess, 2017.

I'm sure we'll get to that. But, like, I never really, like, I always kept my card. I always had, you know, the first turn ever played, I was leading after 54 holes. It was like, all right, you know, like, this is cupcake, you know. But I never really won a lot. I won twice in college. I won the stadium. I didn't do anything spectacular, but I just always believed that those guys,

weren't. They're not better than me. That might answer this next question, but was there, you spent, what, what, two years on the mini tours before you got on the web? Was there ever a time where you were thinking, like, this might not be it, maybe not golf? Never. Because what ended up happening is my first Monday qualification ever, I got in, it was the Chiquita and it was at Longview. I think, yeah, it was at Longview. So the first one ever did, I get in, like every time, and then I get into the U.S. Open the next year. My first PJ tour event was Marion, and I'm over here watching this guy dying while I hit

my first D ball. I remember, like, can't breathe? Like, I mean, can you stop playing with your knife over there, but? So every year, I just kept getting better. I kept, like, you know, knocking on the door.

So I never, like, thought I wasn't going to make it. Like, so never a backup plan. Like, if golf doesn't work, then this. The problem I have is, is, or that I've learned since, you know, I'm not old, but being 30 is that these people that try to play, watching them shows me how hard it really is. Because, like, to me, I was like, just keep playing golf, dude.

You're going to keep getting better if you just keep focusing on the things that you need to do. And I just always, I'm still doing that. And every year I feel like I'm doing something I've never done before. Obviously we want to win. But those corn fairy, you know, I wonder what the status of people not making it versus that step foot, that get status on tour. Like, how long are they on the corned ferry tour? Like, I just would love to know that stat of just how, you know, what that number. And for me, two years, I was like,

I know it seemed like a long time that second year you made the jump I mean 2015 I mean your life changed when you earned your PGA tour card but I got to know because you finished 25th out of 25 what was that last week like I mean it was awesome I can tell you what happens that's the most problem you're in on the ground

no hold on though because because when we go play those playoff events it's set up so much harder than a corn favorite like a regular corn fare event except Victoria National I mean, you're going to places where, like, if I just hit it solid, I'm going to kill everybody. You know, like, all I do is putt decent, and you only have to do it twice. So I knew I was like, I'm playing decent, but I remember I hit it over the green on 17 at Pumpkin Ridge, and I got it up and down.

So when I finished, this is pretty funny, I finished, I get done, I teed off early, I'm, I'm catching a red eye of the night, so I'm packing my clothes up, and I'm 27th. I'm like, oh, I'll just go back to the course just case I do make it. Next thing I get there, I'm 26. I'm like, man, what are these guys doing? So did you think you were done when you finished? Like, you weren't. I thought I was in, but I thought, like, it was going to swing. Cody Gribble was playing really well.

I think he was, like, in the top 10, and he was moving up. And I just remember, I was like, I'm going to get my card in. And regardless, like, what are you talking about? Four events to finish, you know, when you got to have one top 10. Oh, so you were thinking you were just coming back. He was going to get it in the playoffs. I was going to get it in the playoffs. I was going to get it now.

But I was like, well, I guess I have to be there just case I do finish 25th. And then I get on the putting green and I'm 25th and Dickie Pride's coming down. And I'm like, nothing can change this. And Dickie Pride just has to win the tournament. He gets to hitting those trees on the right. I'm like, bro, just putt it up there. Lil Dickie. Stop it.

Come on, bud. So, and on the way watching this, I'll never forget how Talong Lee is on the putting green putting. like teed off at like 6 a.m. that morning putting. I'm like, man, no wonder I took me forever to get here. But Hal Tongley's like, he's like, he's like, how are you doing Harold? I'm like, good, whatever. He's like, I was like, you know, what do you think? Bob, I was like, well, I think I'm just going to miss.

He's like, you'll be fine, Harold. Incredible impersonation of Halton. And I end up getting in and I come back and he's like, I told you. You told you. Oh, he's incredible. That's a long, like, four hours wet. You're the only guy in the history that's not like refresh, refresh, refresh,

sitting in their hotel grinding it. When you're good at golf, you don't worry about that because no one can hold you down. That's not the normal, I think. You should write a ball. You should be like, doctor. I don't want to spill all the beans. This is all common sense. But obviously, in my opinion, like, that would be extremely stressful situation, obviously.

But you get it done. And, I mean, you earn your PJ tour card. What was like that emotion? Like, once you realized I'm going to the PGA tour. It was awesome. knew like this is pretty cool I knew that if I didn't play well in the playoffs then I wasn't going to have any starts so I was just like you know I remember some people weren't playing some of the playoff events I was like well giddy up I'm gonna but here's you know so for instance

I go I've made $169,000 I've made $180,000 in two years and I'm still don't even own the house you know I don't have many bills so I'm still rich you know I'm still still moving I'm doing good things that I want to do. I want to play golf every day and make money. That's what I'm doing. So like if you look at it in that aspect, like bro, I can afford to eat. I can go to a steakhouse and I want to. There's just things that like

you do all the time on tour that are like playing any golf for money and you're playing well that you didn't do like in college. You're like you, I still appreciate like tonight I'm going this place called State 48 it's like fire. So good. What time are going? Yeah.

I didn't do the reservation. If you were rich then, what are you now? Wealthy. Yeah, there you go. What does, what does, man, have you all seen the Chris Rock thing when he says? He's like, he's like, he says inward a lot, but he's like, I couldn't wait to do it. I was like, yeah, I've seen a lot of Chris Rock. I was like, there's no way this one's making it on.

He's like, he's like, check, he's wealthy. He's like, I'm just rich. It's so funny. So, no, I just. I see the retirement. That's a game changer. Pension on the PGA tour is a nice thing. You go to State 48 a lot now.

It depends on how much that kid's worth. What's you doing? Oh, boy. Good to see. Got fans everywhere. It depends on, yeah, I hear kids are expensive. Yeah, well, I mean, you did just break that news. This is going to air in a couple weeks, but you did break the news today.

My bad. I know it's pretty weird with the timing of release this thing. It's all good. You'll figure that part out. It might not be breaking news when this. One of my questions was going to be, because you married Amanda, and I was like, is there going to be a Harold Varner of the Fourth coming up? And then this morning, before we come over here, I'm looking and I'm like,

oh, well, you just announced it this morning that you're going to be having a child. Congratulations. Yeah, super pumped. I mean, that's the coolest thing in the world, just seeing kids grow up. And I just don't know what I'm going to do when I was mine, you know, like, ultimate. I mean, you would understand. You as a dad is something I cannot wait to see. If I could do it, bro.

If I could do it. I was going to say a lot of people said the same thing about him. You're going to be fine. You got to see this video, though, when we find out it's a boy. And Amanda goes, I don't know if I'm ready for an HV4. It is hilarious. But I don't think she'll let me post that one. Is it already inked HV4?

Oh, yeah. He's going to be official. Oh, I didn't have much say on that. That's what everyone said, Quatro. No, he's going to go by William. Hey, did you know Liam is short for William? I mean, it makes sense. It makes sense, but no one's ever said that.

I agree. That's like, Alexander and Alexander. Maybe like Will, but Liam? Liam sounds European. Wasn't he like Liam Nelson? Yeah, no. He's going to, like, taking.

He's going to save my life. He's going to save my life. Don't prepare to take it. Yeah, he's doing a lot of cool things now, like, saved my life. Yeah. But I saw he's got fresh pair of Jay. He's already waiting on it.

I like his chances having some Jordans. I was going to say, we got to talk about this because, I mean, I'm jealous of a lot of things you do, but this is number one on the list. Being a Jordan brand athlete. It's just the coolest thing ever. Tell us the first time you spoke to MJ about possibly doing this and what all this is meant to you.

It is insanely easy. MJ text me. He said I'd love to have you in the brand. And two days later, Harold Lerner was in the brand. It's the most non-complicated thing in the world. If MJ wants to help or wants to do something, he's going to do it. And I'm super appreciative to be a part of the brand. but the coolest part is the stuff you get to do with it.

Like people are like, oh, I want, you know, this or blah, blah, blah. Like, you know, obviously I get to do stuff with my foundation, but, like, there's kids that are like, hey, can I get some Jordan for some foundation? Yeah, sure. That's the coolest part for me because at the end of the day, no one's going to remember all the shoes I had. They're going to know, like, man, Harold gave me this shoe, and I made X amount of dollars for this.

That's worth of money. Was when he reached out to you about Jordan? Oh, this is a great story. Was that the first time you talked to him? Yeah. This is pretty funny So, 2017, I almost lose my card in Greensboro, finished 12th,

keep my card, I go to the next event, MJ text me at like 9 a.m. Do you have a number already? No. So I'm really close friends with the guy named Fred Whitfield, who's the CEO of the Hornets. You know, they guess then they might have been the Bobcats, maybe. But he goes, the boss is going to text you.

And I'm like, you know, like for like 45 minutes, I was like, who the hell's the boss? Goddy? John Gotti? I get this text and I'm working out that morning to go play practice around. And I totally forgot. Totally forgot. It feels like something you could forget.

No. And Jordan might be texting you. Exactly. But no one, every time I tell this story, everyone's like, I mean, how'd you do that? I'm like, bro, I mean, you just forget. You know, you go play practice around and you don't text back. And I get back to the house or to the hotel and Amanda's like, or I, I, I, I, I, I told me, I was like, man, I feel like MJ's going to, or some boss, I'm pretty sure that's

MJ. And she's like, did MJ text you? And I was like, he did. I forgot, like seven hours later. You took seven hours to respond to MJ? Oh, my God. I'm not good at responding back. Like right now there's people texting and there's a really good chance.

I won't. You know, I just. Yeah, but MJ is a different. I agree, man. I totally. I don't know. You don't know. I don't ask.

So, yeah, it's been a. a great experience. Obviously going again, so started up this year. So it's been good, man. Like what do the shipments look like? Yeah, I do. Well, Candice, my social media lady, she freaking took a picture of my

room. I was in it last night. I was about to, I mean, it's all those you sign and all of a sudden like, cool, what's your size? Here's 200. Because you have a, I mean, it's wall to wall both sides. So, yeah. They send you something every month. What do you mean something? What's something? They send you a pair?

No, a lot of pairs. I probably have 400. Yeah, there's a few. You might have like 396 after I was in there. We were about the same size. I could fit these things. Yeah, it's awesome, man. Who's got more?

You or Perez? Perez doesn't give them away. I give them to these kids. Of course. Yeah. It sounds dumb. So I do this thing. I take all these pairs that there's some you're just not going to wear.

I just don't dress like that. So there's some, I put in this box, I take to my high school, this coach, my P teacher, or whatever, and he basically gives me these kids that like either do something good or whatever, been good all year. I took him up there one time. Well, some guy took him up there, and he said that he called me and he goes, dude, I'm getting yelled at by this guy's mom because she thinks he stole. Oh, no. Like, what world do we live in?

You don't believe. You believe that little in your kid. Like that little. So I just thought that was very odd. So, yeah, weird. That's cool. As a kid, I couldn't amount, like, doing something good. I'm like, oh, you get a pair of joy.

I mean, that would have been, like, Christmas time's 100 for me. What's your favorite golf pair that you wear and favorite non-golf pair? So I have a pair of Jordan threes that are lows. They're so far. What color are they? Yeah. I got them black and white. They're sick.

They're unbelievable. And then my favorite shoes is the, I'd say, the 10. And because you can wear them like with shorts, you can wear them with pants. You know, you can wear them with whatever. There's some you're just not going to wear it with. Yeah, there was something that collection last night. I was like, tell me when he wears these. They like flat all kinds of shit.

I was like, tell me when Harold puts these on for the first time. I'd like, I want to see the outfit that this goes with. That's where my wife comes in handy. Yeah. Because I, I mean, I can't even. I must be colorblind some of the stuff I put on. I'm like, that looks good. And then I get that.

Right now you got your phone case matching your outfit. Does that change day to day? It depends on how many times I drop it. in a half right now. But obviously, MJ built his course Grove 23, which a lot of the tour players call Slaughterhouse 23 because he just absolutely murders him. Have you been a victim of Slaughterhouse 23? I have. Well, one time I wasn't and one time I was. One time, I mean, I got lucky. You know, 15, 16, and 17, he's getting no stroke. So you're like, you better play well. You better play well. and I just went birdie, birdie, eagle,

and then the next time, you know, I didn't have much of a chance. Yeah, he said that thing up pretty nice for his A handicap and the way the course plays. I just got caught up last time. I took my, I was going to go eat, just eat lunch, and then drive to Jacksonville. And my best, one of my best friends that played golf at Auburn, he plays with, like, I go out there to eat,

and Ken, who you guys know, Ken's like, Ken goes, you need to go see MJ and then come by and see my dad. I'm so, I come by and I see MJ. And MJ's like, he's like, you got your clubs and you got some money? I'm like, well, you pay me. So I don't care if you got clubs. Yeah. So he's like, well, play with me on the next thing.

I was like, is it cool if Will plays? He's like, yeah, sure. So I go talk to Ken and his dad. They just got back from Augusta, which is super cool trip. I think it would be cool to take your dad. And he got to do that, Blasey, Blasey. So we go to Tia off, we go down one. And Will's just like, just playing.

Like he's nervous. He's freaking out. And this is a grown man. He's 27 years old. And because I just remember the first time I played with MJ. I was like, hey, this is competition. This is awesome. Like, let's get it on.

But we get on to the second tee. And MJ's like, there's not going to be any free rolls out here. And he's like, well, same bet. 100 bucks with you. And I bet you will. I think he shit his pants on the second. Dude. He literally couldn't breathe

He was like I was like Do you understand I'm playing with the goat I was like I totally do And you're gonna pay him A hundred bucks

And he don't play well So he gets up there And he goes He hits a good drive down Number two And then he has 70 yards And I bet you hit it 20 yards

20 yards And I'm like Gosh dude I'm guessing he's a pretty decent player Yeah Yeah He played it all Yeah he's really good

He played professional Yeah So he's I'm just wondering What's going on Like this is like A complete choke So he goes

We get done playing We're driving back And I'm like I'm like oh how was it You know Just feeding him some bull He's so pumped up And he's wearing a woup

Shout out whoop for the tour I don't even wear one But whatever He's wearing one And I guess on those things It shows like As soon as you do an activity Whether it's golf or whatever

He gets on there And his heart rate got up to like 159 Just once MJ shut up That's like what JT's was On 18 at the players It was like It got up there

That's him just playing with my... How about that? I mean, dude, that's like running a sprint and going to try. I mean, because I knew he's nervous, but I didn't know he might pass out. Jordan's probably won more golf bets just having to complete holes than any human in the world because they all show up and get a game. Of course, you're going to get a game with them, and then they freak out because they're playing with Jordan and shoot a thousand.

Like, there's a former pro hitting at 20 yards. I couldn't believe it, man. I don't know. Because the first time we played, I don't know, maybe because I had spoken with him before and like met them but I just dog was we gambling you know you got to play good yeah but that's not normal I think most people will be in total shock I totally agree today we play in the pro am this guy was like if there's one person I meet I would literally lose it and I was like all right so you didn't get nervous about me but what about me a little bit yeah so I that's my that's my favorite

memory playing golf I mean the other one that I forgot my golf shoes one time and he just called to my and this guy just delivered some shoes it was like something straight out of like just some dude that's his job just deliver shoes on guys for them just delivered it to nettles and was like there's just some shoes on someone within 10 miles at all time that can have your shoes in a second so it was uh yeah i've had a great experience i mean it's it's awesome being a part of the brand i mean it's just cool you know like everyone wants to be a part of mj if they can and some was that like your first pinch me when jordan calls you and says i want you to be a part of brand like oh my god here i am kid from gistonia came up web dot com

you're talking about how you're rich on the web dot com and all of a sudden you're on the phone with MJ direct. Like that had to be a little bit of a moment. You're like, holy shit. I can't believe I'm here right now. That was cool. But the biggest moment was when I got to build my parents' house. That was like...

15 acres, huh? Yeah, well, that's grown man's play land. But building my parents' house was it? Because when you're a kid and you see stuff wrong with the house, you're like, well, I can't do anything. And now they live in a house and it has no problems. They're getting old. Like, that was...

To be able to do it and me also lived the same way, not have to sacrifice anything. It was like, man, do you go make another put? Your parents are going to be set. And they're like about to retire. I'm like, you're about to retire. I mean, how old are you? You know, like, it blew my mind.

So that, the Jordan thing was cool because more people talk to you about that. But on the inside, the cool thing about that when my parents' house was getting built, I could, like, go out there and I, like, saw it. And, like, my parents got to pick stuff. I'm like, I hope they're getting as much of it. Like, as much as I'm getting out of it, they're getting out of, like, seeing this happen. So that was the pinchment moment. I think this kid's going to be number one when it's all sitting done.

Because every time I look at all these famous people, they're like, when we talk about having a kid, they're going to wait until that thing comes out. And then people that mentors have talked to me about, they're like, it all changes. I'm like, man, I've changed a lot in the last, you know, 10 years. We'll see how this one goes. Was it true? You mentioned your parents. After you finished the final round at Beth Page, you're in the final group. You went home the next day and you mowed your parents' lawn.

So true. That's incredible. not. I love mowing grass. You know what? I would have a good bone mowing. You can't answer your phone. It's the best because you can just be like, I was working, I was doing something. But if you go home and sit at your house and like, why didn't you answer?

You know, I'm not, bro. I was doing something. Now you've got the big John Deere, right? It is unbelievable. I mean, it's unbelievable this mower. It has heat, has AC, has radio. There's a CD player in it. Who has a CD player anymore? Has a CD player in it. Yeah. So, you

you just, I don't mow too often. This old man, Ernie, he basically wanted to quit, like, driving to some work. I was like, Ernie, man, you got more money than anything. There's 78. Like, just don't do anything. He's like, well, I got to ask you. Can I just mow the grass? I was like, yeah, sure. So he comes

and he brings, like, a little six-pack of Budweiser brings his lunch and mows grass. And, like, so I always say this place where I call it the land, it's the land, by Gastonia because all these people just contribute and do things that I'm not sure I would want to do at 78. I ain't mowing nobody's grass at 70. I want to see 78 first of all. Yeah.

But yeah, 78, he gets in there and he gets so wound up. I don't know if he like sometimes messes up, but he ran into my parents' car one day. And he's like, I'm not, he's like, I'm not mowing anymore. And my mom made him get back in this mower. I'm like, what is this? Is this like an old person's thing where y'all just like, hey, pat on the back, good job mowing the grass. even if you ran into the car, you know, like, so I just think it's hilarious. Like, go ahead, mode again, do it again.

But you mentioned it's got a CD player, and I don't know if you know Sleeze. He just said he has some CDs laying around. I got some fire for you, bro. Maybe this is our way we can get it out there. What was it called? Oh, my CD? What was your band? What were you in Grandville?

The Bomb Squad. Bomb Squad. You need the little taste of that, a little sample. It's in the vault. It's like Dre's detox. I'll run it by, I'll run it by Ernie. Let you. I don't think it's listen.

That dude will be mowing that lawn faster than ever before. That's the last thing we need. I'm glad you admit you have them because you kept saying, I don't know where they have. They don't exist also, by the way. They don't exist. We'll Hollywood this stuff. It doesn't exist.

But yeah, I'll slide. Maybe I'll talk to my people and see if we can slide one single of your way just so you get a little taste. I mentioned, but I didn't bring up, you went and mowed your parents' yard after the PGA at Bethpage. You were in the final group with Brooks Kevka. Man, remember it like it was yesterday.

I mean, you were. I think was it seven back to start the day? Six back. All I can tell you everything that happened. Well, you buries the first all, which is all right. Hit two of the best shots I hit all week. That's what, like, people don't understand. Like, that drive and that chip shot, like, you know, running it in there.

It was on replay the other night, and I watched it all. It was on last night, I think. What was it last night? I couldn't. I can't get enough of it. Because that's, like, what wakes you up every day. Yeah. I mean, it obviously didn't go the way you wanted, but tell me about it.

Tell me what you, what you like. from that day because I mean that's a that's a big spot obviously um the biggest thing I learned is that like you are more than capable of winning a major like you can't tell me I can't win a major like that was the hardest I mean we played Beth page in the you know in the just the playoffs like played well there but like playing in that environment those kind of people where they're like gagging like that was embarrassing like if you can handle that kind of stuff you're more than capable but the biggest thing I learned is not to get ahead myself because I can tell you exactly what I said when I birdie number one.

You know, you got to walk through the tunnel. I got in that tunnel and, you know, you think it's like this little fairy tale thing where you're going to walk through. Like, I can rocky little thing. You're like, let's go. And I was like, I'm going to win this tournament. And boy, did it win. It couldn't win more the opposite way once I said that.

But, you know. Because everyone says, like, don't get ahead of yourself. Like, bullshit. Like, that is horse crap. Like any job, anything you want to do in life, you don't literally sit there and be like, well today we're going to take it by today. No, no. When it gets to the highest moment of doing something,

making a decision, you have to lean back on the things that you're taught, like when you're a kid, like play golf, relax, enjoy it. This is what it's all about. And then to be on. I've buried the first whole tournament before and I'm writing victory speeches. I'm like, one run through one.

Like, who should I think, dude? I got somebody, you know what I mean? That's amazing. Who should I do to not get ahead? Especially in that, I mean, dude, I think that's one thing. You listen to sports psychologist stuff now. I mean, it used to be like, oh, yeah, you can't do that.

Now it's like embrace that you're looking ahead. It's just how you handle it and how you react to it. Because you're going. It's going to come. Yeah. You can't not have that happen. It just, uh, when I lost that golf ball, who, I mean, it was like spiraling. It was like riding a row with us.

How fast it things are going? Yeah. Was it going just. I know. Like, that's what people don't talk about. You're like, I played, I did all that damage out there. And I bet you it felt like an hour. I got done.

I was like, man, what is going on? And then I just, then they started asking me questions about things. And that's how you learn. Like when they ask you questions and you like, you want to not answer it. And you have to like, you have to do it. You learn a lot about yourself. You learn how to handle things because it's coming again. But I mean, that's the hardest spot.

I mean, you're Beth page. The wind's blowing 25. Yeah, I'm only played in one other final. Yeah, I'm only playing in one final group, you know, ever again before. So I'm sitting there like, oh, you know, like. Did you, let me ask you, I mean, Brooks wins the golf tournament, but things got going a little sideways for him. Did you learn anything from watching him,

or were you just focused on your own thing? At some point, after 15, the part three, I tried to get out of his way. And if I could do it over again, like, yeah, you can stay out of someone's way and still play good golf. Like, you know, I'm sitting there. I'm like, I feel like I've never putted before. You're like a little put-putt course out there. It's blowing.

People are gagging. They're like, I'm like, can you stop, please? Just give me like one second. make it end. Your head's getting heavy. You're like, uh, you're looking at your caddy and you're like, well, he can't do anything. So, uh, well, all right, let's go. Yeah, it's, um, it's, it's something that I'll never forget.

But at the same time, it wouldn't change it for the world other than like, yeah, if I would have won, I would have gotten into Augusta, blah, blah, all this. But in reality, if you just said you're a six-back on the last round, you're in the final group and you, like, really were thinking about winning, you know, you know how well you have to play and what has to happen for that to like work out. I would have been a little bit more realistic and that just comes with experience, you know, and you're just, you're not going to get that without going through it. And I find it amazing when these guys come out here and they win immediately.

I'm like, man, that's just, it's not easy. And everyone's got to run their own journey. That's one thing I've learned in the last two or three years is that like it's not about everyone else. We're so good at getting on our phones like, did you see what he did? You see what he did? You see what he did? No, I didn't.

Actually, I didn't. I really don't give a shit what he did. Because if I don't focus on Harold, this is, and everyone's going to, you understand, you've got to be selfish. You've got to be like, hey, this is what I want to do. This is how I want to approach it, and this is what's going to make me successful. And when you first get out there, it's like, did you see what he did? How did he do?

I'm like, I don't know yet. I still haven't figured out what I'm doing. And you have to, like, carry yourself in a way that, like, I get what you're, where you're coming from, but I'm going to do it this way. This is what I believe in. You got a great head on your shoulders, man. It's impressive. Thank you, Colt.

That's the most positive thing you ever told me. I said you like positive things. Yeah. You want to fire a little E9? I think we got to get into one. Because obviously there's another, obviously all three of us sitting here, we looked up to Tiger Woods. Oh, without a doubt. Yeah, I mean, so we got to talk a little bit about your relationship with him.

I know you spent quite a bit of time with him. You all talk. Tell us a little bit about that. Because that's something not a lot of people get to do. It is unbelievable. Yeah, obviously you look up to him. I mean, I remember being at this time. tournament and like crying that he didn't sign my hat.

12 years old, he big time did you. Oh, I told him. Where I couldn't wait to tell him. Right here. And it used to be like a, it's, now it's like a night. It's like you walk around, but it used to be you just walked right through and there was just an open path. And I never get off staying.

I mean, you're always plotting when you're trying to get his autograph. You're like sitting there. You're like, all right, if I stand right here next to this lady, he'll sign mine and then hers. And then that one doesn't work. You're like, well, what if I just go behind it? He walked right to her and just kept walking. signed hers kept walking i was like this

mother love i was so pissed and i'll never get when i told him and i don't know how this makes sense i said i told him the story he goes might be the reason you're out here and just kept walking no it's not that's dumb

that is not the reason he was an absolute dick to me as well i cried for three days yeah so um i love that he wants to try to take credit for you yeah he spends it because i ignored you that's why you're on the PJs you're welcome forget giving you that chip on your shoulder.

He just basically, obviously, he's got a lot on his plate, has been so open to me. I mean, I've got to spend some time with him at medalist. I think if he was our age and still at a high level, I don't think there's a single chance we would be this close to him. That's what I think. In my deep down side, you can say whatever happened, he's opened up. I think when it comes down to it, that guy would give up his life to make sure he'd beat you. And now that he's older, and it's like there's no more competent.

You can't compete with him. like all right you know and that's what I that's I mean and I might I may be wrong but that's what I truly believe I think who's going to compete with you don't think yeah there's I think you're right correct I mean people try to say like all they're not he's nice now no man he's old and he you know the game's changing he's just he just kicked everyone's ass for so he has opened up a lot there's no doubt about that but when he was like he was hurt in like 17 2017 2018 Justin Thomas came on here and said he wasn't able to play the master so he would go over to tiger's house and tiger would help him with some like pitch shots and stuff like

that he was going to face at Augusta. In 2019 comes around, Tiger's coming back. And Justin goes, hey, you want to work on those pitch shots? No response. Tiger is back playing. And he's like, nope, not helping you now. Yeah, I just, I kind of like it because I think that a human, every human is going to go through something.

And they're never going to learn by, they can learn things, pick things up of how to get through it. But like, you're never going to learn without, you know, running. You know, you run into that wall. You know, I mean, it kind of hurt. I probably should go around, you know. Or that perfect example. example when a kid says, hey man, that stove's hot.

All right, let me see how hot it is. You know, like there's no, there's no, that's never changed. That's been around since the beginning of time. And it is what it is. With all the time you spend around Tigers, is there one thing that sticks out, like that you've been taken away from? Yes. Yes.

So growing up, everyone, because obviously I'm terrible at focusing. I mean, I can be like focus right here and sit next to you guys. But I never forget my dad and everyone be like, you just need to focus. Like, man, and in my head, you know, like, in my head, you know, like, in my head, you know, I don't, I willop your head. I don't need to focus. I'm getting better every year. So I never get to ask them.

I said, hey, man, you know, what do you do to focus? Like, I hear that, you know, my dad's always talking about I need to focus. And he's like, actually, you know, I just, I hear everything. I was like, what? You know, I'm thinking, I'm like, well, where are we, you know, we only got, like, 20 more feet to walk before, like, everyone's going to be around you. He goes, playing golf is, like, reading a book with the TV on. And you know, your mom's always been the one to, like, read the book.

I'm like, what are you? doing so i go home i get this book i haven't read a book in forever i'm like dude if you're reading the book in the tvs on you can read everything in that book while the tvs on and you can turn up the tv and you can and i was like i get it so it made me become more me like i can be whatever but i can hear everything i can yeah it was nuts so how's your focus got better like after it's gotten worse i just i just know i know when it's time for me to do my job and do my thing i can hear everything. I can relax, but I know what I'm trying to achieve. I'm not, I'm not stressing more to try to focus like, I can't hear you. No, no, I hear everything. It's okay.

Just go about your day. Are you like a focus for 30 seconds for this shot real quick? No, I don't focus. I'm checked out again. No, I just plague off. Like, and I can do it more because I just beat myself even more. So like, that's what it's created. Like, I try to focus. Don't try to focus. Just do what you, you know what you're trying to do. Obviously, I'm a lot better at it than I used to be. So it kind of helps when you, like, hit a good shot. You're like, all right, I'm a little hyper right now. I'm focusing, you know, because I'm doing good. So it's kind of, that was the best thing.

I like it. All right. Now we can get to the E9. Yes, E9. And then we'll get you out on the water. What's that? Then he can go get me on the boat. I know, man.

You are killing a time. But you know what? Here's what I do have to say. Thank you for having me. I'm out. Our only person ever skip out on the E9. All right. I got time for E3.

All right. Go to the first one. We ask this to everyone. Movie being made about the lack of Harold Varn. Who plays you? Denzel. That was easy. That's my password to everything if you guys want to know.

Perfect. I'm joking. There's a lot of good hackers out there. Be careful. What's your pin? No. The only thing. I got a few.

I forgot that one this morning. All right. Next question. You got your trustee sidekick, your head covered Gerald, who also has a Twitter handle. Who gets trolled more on Twitter? Harold or Gerald? I don't even know who runs Gerald. Perfect.

So I don't know. I get everything. I mean, everyone sees the one about people play some beds. That's my favorite thing in the world. I like gambling. I like believing, you know, if I can't do it. All right, let's see if you can't, you know, whatever. So I like that stuff, but all the stuff we're going through.

It's hard to sometimes, like, respond. Like, you just, hey, man, take that one on the chair. It gets to a certain point where there's only so much Harold to go around and Gerald, for that matter. Gerald's doing a lot of directions. Gerald gets to see it all. How many Twitter follows is Gerald have? Let's find out.

He's a beast. See, I haven't looked in a while. Anyone slide into the DA? What do you think? Gerald? I don't know how many you have, but I'd say Gerald. I don't know how many I have. This is perfect, so I got a follow-up for Gerald.

Yeah, maybe you can run it. The big deal that he is. Gerald Warner. Oh, there is. What's he got? Gerald's got a thousand followers. All right. It's a thousand.

All right. Come on, Gerald, you got to get out there. A freaking head cover. It's hard to type with stuffed fingers. All right. You ready? This one's about Gerald, too. Your driver, head cover.

Gerald. and your good friend Wyndham Clark walk into a bar who pulls more chip. One of them's a human. I know, but I'm going to go with Wyndham. But barely. Oh, God. I can't. I mean, it's not.

He's a great guy. Window? I had to be professional. That's the camera response right there? No, that's when you go next. That's the camera response. Next. Okay.

Somebody say something next. Next. All right. Next question. Perfect. You keep pulling your hat up. Neither you or I are blessed with the greatest hair. But you actually pay somebody, which is that true?

Once a month, man. So, I'll be doing that yourself. Not many people know about this that we don't talk about in the golf world. Dude, the ingrown hairs that black people get, I feel like I could, like, cry. I mean, the one's under your chin, so this guy comes and he cuts it with this thing where it's not too low. And, you know, I mean, I'm just all about paying free. But you guys, like, it looks better when a white person, like, grows their beard out. Or maybe it's just me.

My beard's not nice. you know what I mean I can't grow up here Colt would be the appropriate person for that I don't know I just hate pain like on my chin I just hate pain you used to have back in the day

many tour days dude the flat top with the visor might have been the best look that I've ever seen in golf I think was like this tall dude they could do it was an ear lacquer

there's ways man I'm not I mean could you get it back no because you I don't think it would grow that strong like I mean dude

back in the day I had hair that would like that was good How high was it? How high did it go? I bet you was like, I bet you it was at least four or five inches. When you were the last. It wasn't a house party, but it was house party. It was half of that, right?

It was clean, though. And then one day I was like sitting here and there was like a, you know, I got it. I was like, man, it doesn't look as clean in the front. I was like, what's going on? So one day I had shower and it kind of lays to the side. I'm like, look. And I'm like, man, this is going back way faster than I would like. And then I got a foahawk.

And the footh started starting like in the middle. I was like, well, time to go. That's awesome. Yeah, if you could get that back, though, there are ways, but that was the look of all time. It was very perfect. Yeah, Earl Lacker called Al Barner. Yeah, Erlacher can die. He's hard to even recognize.

We've talked about it, and I just didn't. I didn't. Crazy, the day I was supposed to go get it done is the day the world shut down. Oh, you were going? Oh, that might have been a sign. I don't think I was talking about going. Okay. Could have been a sign.

All right, next one. Who do you think put the dab on the map more? You or Cam Newton? Cam Newton. In the golf world? Or he's still it from you? No. Cam did it and we loved it.

Like you just don't understand. In Charlotte, like Cam, I mean, he didn't go out the way that I would have liked. But when he was winning, man, people like wake up like, man, what's Cam going to do next? And I love it. And when he's daven on people and everyone's getting mad, that's the, no, they're not mad that he's dabbing. They're mad because he's scoring. And I love, I love, I mean, everyone loves a winner. everyone does

are you still dabbing out there like Phoenix Open I'm dead this year and make a 30 foot of a birdie Is that the celebration 100% Okay Why would I stop damning

If it ain't broke You know the deal Well I don't know I made 30 something Pards in a row One time out there And still dabbed off All right

Well I'll ask a golf one here If you could take A part of any PJ Tours game right now And put it into yours This is so bad Like do you ever do you ever do this Whenever someone asks a question

It's who you did it well, did it the best the last time you're with him. So Brendan Grace, his chipping, unbelievable. I thought you didn't pick someone's putting. Just because looking at your stats, like you strike it very, very well. Your putt is a one. Hey, hey, you know what? But I'm climbing. Yeah.

You know? Who would I put like? I'd put like Harold Warner because I believe I'm the best putter in the world. That's perfect. So I just keep going the little direction I want to go. I think I'm working. I definitely work a lot more seriously, though. I definitely focus when I practice way more.

I used to. Tiger didn't tell me. anything about that. You just took that. Maybe I should focus for it out. These guys are good. All right. When you're not practicing, though, you're hosting a podcast.

Hold on. Let me get putting. Putting. No, I thought you said you. No, I mean, yeah, but I'm always going to say me, but I'm just saying, no, he said what part? So putting, and he's not hurt right now? You can pick anybody.

He's tired. He made every put that he looked at. That had to happen. I mean, think about how excited you got when that guy made a put. Well, he never missed one that mattered. Yeah. That's what we talk about this all the time. Think back to, like, Tiger's career when he had a put on 18 he had to make.

Name one he missed. A put to win. Unbelievable. Name a miss. I mean, there's not. Name 10 wins right off the jump. You think about it. The best is when they do these comparisons, like, in Colin Morricoy, he's doing a great job.

When they compare it and, like, Tigers is like, I'm like, was he that good? You know, like, I'm over your question. Like, man, did I miss something about Tiger? That's when everyone was like, I would love to compete against Tiger and his friend. Like, no, you wouldn't. No, you wouldn't. Here's the numbers. That's why.

This is the tournament that I just got tired of him blowing me off right here. Yeah, you're welcome for that. I was sitting at the locker and I was like, I was like, man, are we going to ever play golf? Like, come on, man, I've been waiting. You've helped me out a lot. You withdrew from the PGA. I got in. You withdrew from the pro-emant safe when I got to play with Steph and bawled him up.

So you've helped me out. But, dude, I want to freaking, I want to play golf with you. dude, I've looked up to you. Like, when it comes to golf, you're, I mean, who wouldn't want to win that many times? Yeah. What do he say? He's like, I'll text you on Monday.

I was like, all right, cool. And he just told me what time we were playing. Like a little kid, I just showed up. You didn't make him wait six hours? No, he's all big about like he's got to take his kids to school and then he flies out. So, like, no. I thought it was a tournament. Gotcha.

Oh, no, no, no. Oh, no, no, no, it was. It was at the players. It was easier, though, because he, because we don't. don't have a proeim. Gotcha. Yeah, yeah. All right, so what happened?

All right, podcast host now, ripping it with George Savarikas. Give me your one dream guest. After the last dance, MJ. You can set that up, can't you? No, I don't think it's that easy, but... No? No, I mean, being in the brand's cool, but, you know, that's a little different. I would say, M.J., just because when you watch the last dance, I mean, literally,

I was living on the lake at the time, and me and Amanda would literally, we'd go... We get off the boat to watch this. And I just didn't know MJ was that good. I mean, I know he's good. Like, I get it. But I wasn't old. You know, I wasn't old. No, I didn't see him play.

He's a logo all over my body. No, I mean, I get that. But, man, I didn't know that he was that, like, that. And how he carried himself? Because we didn't, we would see. I mean, how old are y'all? Did y'all get to see him play? I didn't get to see.

I saw him play for the Wizards. Did you watch the last dance? I mean. I'm saying the last dance doesn't count as watching it happen. Like, I play with Ron Rivera today, and he was like, I was in Chicago, like, you know, the same exact time. And I was like, how cool was that, blah, blah, blah. But, I mean, you saw him play the last year, like in Chicago.

I never saw him once play live in Chicago on TV. I remember when he came back, I got the 45 jersey. I saw him live when Robin was on the team in San Antonio. No way. See, I didn't get to do anything like that. I remember every time I saw Jordan. He came to Denver one time when they went to 70 and 10. Nuggets beat him.

We were dog shit and we beat them. And I was like that biggest moment of my life. I was like, dude, we saw MJ lose one time. Dude, how about that, man? These guys come in these cities and, like, not playing. Yeah, that's tough. It's different now. They played all the time.

I don't care how different is. The amount of money they make right now. Yeah. I mean, they're softer now. Yeah. I don't care how soft you are, but I just think you owe it to the fans to be presentable. Be that, be that guy. Like, if you want to make all this money and complain about doing this and that,

do the stuff that people don't want to do, you know, like until you own the team, you know, do it. I agree with you on that. I just can't. That was his quote when he said that every night I showed up, I knew there was someone in the stands that never seen Michael Jordan play. Nobody thinks like that anymore. And then with social media, you get these people that come from all over the world and post about it. And they still won't, like, I mean, for me, I'd just be like, all right, I'm playing. This guy just flew.

I mean. Stress management. Get out of here. Yeah, that, that, that, that, I wasn't even going to go that far, but that's just so true. All right. let's just say your wife Amanda gives you a celebrity hall pass who would be

your celebrity hall pass it used to be Gabrielle Union you're not to have to talk to D-Wade about that well I always heard your celebrity crush with Justin Bieber it is it is he's the most talented he is one of the most talented people

in the world and everyone laughs but it's unbelievable man I just love how obsessed you are with him I mean it's incredible Favorite Beaver song. Real recognized real. It's a Christmas song with Boys and Men. Flal la la.

Yeah, it's so good. The Christmas album is good. Every artist. Sorry. I mean, sorry. All right, back to the celebrity crash. It was Gabriel Union because Bad Boys 2 is one of my favorite movies. I'm definitely going to be that if I had a girl, I was definitely going to be Mike when he comes to door.

Reggie Hunt, you know, I'm definitely going to. So, I don't know. I don't know half the celebrity's names. You can go Gabriel Union? You want Gabby? Age has gotten me like... Oh boy. Hope she ain't listening.

She's mad at you. Listen, I'm just saying people get older. They don't look as good. It's just facts. Like one day I'm going to be that person too. Like, hey, you still love me, Amanda? Not for a long time, the way you look. When that kid comes out, I won't be loved as much, which is fun.

We got a timeout. We bought a dog and she loves him more than me. Yeah, he's a beast. Some days, he scares me. Yeah, it's like a little drug dog. Yeah. Until I come around. And you give that German command and he'll rip your arm on.

He's awesome, man. Until you mess with Amanda. Yeah, he's a beast. All right, last one. Let's say you miss a cut on tour. You're going to go out that night. Full send. Which three other tour players do you want with you to have the best night?

Yeah, I'm cool with Wyndham. Matt every. Ooh. This last spot's a tough one. It is. It's a tight click. I kept it tight at three. Dub.

He's fun. He said dub. I've had a good time with Johnson Wagner. Oh, interesting group. I like to have a little age so they can tell you when to go home. I mean, I've had some good time with Colt. Like Colts's acting over like, oh, I mean, who would it be? I'm not on short anymore.

I would definitely seek. I'm not going to be the one to tell you to go home, though. No, exactly. That's why we got Johns. Johnson, they'd be the chaperone. Awesome. All right. There you go.

I love it. I hope he hears this. This is going to be great. It's so mad. HV3, man. We appreciate it. Appreciate you, my man. Thanks for having you.

That was fun. All right. Well, that was HV3 sitting down. This is Charlotte Sleaze. He's an absolute beauty. Might have more ADD than any of a PGA tour player. He bouncing off the walls in there, but he is just such a joy to sit and talk to.

He's a breath of fresh air. I was just going to say, it's like a little water bug. It's all over the place. He asks one question, then it goes over here. It comes back. If he gets on that Webb Simpson-Cephine routine routine,

I don't know that you'd be able to corral that kid, but it was fun talking to him, man. One of the things we got into, I know you and I are both jealous of is that the Jordan collection. Dude, we went to dinner the one night during the tournament, and then we went back to his house for a little bit. So I went up, I was like, yo, show me where they're all at. Walk up the stairs, go into his room. And it's not Pat Perez's room, but Pat Perez's been around. I've been doing this for a lot longer than Harold. But, I mean, some of these shoes.

And he wears like my same size. I was like, hey, five. Come on. These ones right here. You ain't wearing these. Which ones are you not wearing? Let's go. But, I mean, the collection is.

Stupid. It's so, it's so jealous of that. Man, but just such a good dude, the way he embraces the gallery out there, you know, one of the biggest things that ever stood out with me in his career, you know, he played in the final group with Brooks Kepka at the PGA championship. You know, he birdies the first whole Sunday. He's like, I'm going to win this thing. And it didn't go his way. I mean, he didn't break 80. But the way he handled it afterwards, he's like, you know what? It's no big deal. I played bad. My mom's still going to love me. She's going to give me a hug when I get home.

It's all good. I'm going to go home. I'm going to cut a grass the next day. I mean, he's still doing that. That just kind of speaks to what kind of a guy is. I think he's extremely appreciative for everything that he's gotten. He's turned into a world-class player. He's going to be one of those guys. When he gets that win, it's going to be one of the, like, everybody comes out for, everybody celebrates. Because Harold's just, like I said, he's one of those guys. You want to be around.

The energy goes up. The fun goes up. He's just that guy. Yeah, this game can get you down. It can beat you down. But Harold's one of those guys. I mean, he loves it. He loves being out there.

He loves playing every single week. He doesn't consider it a job, and that's really, really cool to see. Yeah, he's one, like, he could miss five cuts in a row. And most people, but you know how golf gets, dude. golfers are so quick to turn on themselves. They're like, I suck. I'm worried. Like, Harold's never like that.

And like, legitimately, one of the other people I could think who are like that is Andres Gonzalez. Like, no matter what's going on, I miss 10 in a row, he's like, I'm about, it's about to happen. Like, I'm close. And then that is really rare in pro golf. Yeah. Can't think of him enough for sitting down with this. It was an absolute blast.

And like, like, like you said, when he gets that first win, look out. I'm going. Wherever it is, I'm going to be there because I want to be a part of that party. They're going to be like Shane Lowry over there at the Open Championship except domestic stateside. He might have the entire tour there celebrating with him. They might cancel the next week. It's like, we didn't get enough guys to show up.

I'll tell you what. You're set the bar high if you're comparing it to Shane Lowry celebration. I know that. It's going to be big. And I want to be there for it too. All right. Well, let's get to the gambling portion of the program. Sleeze.

There's another disaster that happened this week. It was almost a really big disaster for you because I almost picked up my first W. Colin Moore Cowell loses in the playoff to Patrick Cantley. It was heartbreaking for me. And I still have a bone to pick with my bookie about a certain bet that happened. But you know what? Good luck. They're very reasonable people.

of good luck with that. All right, producer Mark, give us a little update on the standings. Yes, Lee's head Charlie Hoffman who finished T-57 after a disaster is Saturday. And Colt got his third runner-up finish of the year. Can't close it.

Colin Moracawa for just north of $1 million, bringing the lead to a now commanding $1,304,587. That one stung. That one stung. By the way, how nice is it? Second is a lot better than T2. How about solo second for over a million bucks? Yeah, that's nice.

Rom could have slid in there, taking that one six would have been fine. You know what I mean? The lead would have been a little less. And then how about Hoffman? I said I'm going a little off the grid. I'm going to take a little bit of a flyer, no pun intended on the Segal. He'd been just had in not top 20 in about seven, eight weeks, whatever it's been a couple months.

And then sure enough, I'm looking in there like, all right, he hung in there. He's one under, heading in the weekend. You're going to get out early on Saturday. He'll be fine. Look, next thing I do, I look up 80 pieces. I mean, he hasn't done anything. His wings got clipped. Perfect golf shots for months.

And then I pick him and it's just so that is typical Charlie. Is it sad to say that this is the nicest thing he's ever done for me is shoot 80 when you pick him? Did you call him? Just so you know, Slees picked you this week. I'll take this week. I've been on a good ride. Oh, my God. I definitely did not.

He wouldn't answer my phone call anyway. And then on top of that, the guy was going to win the tournament gets the WD and then you slide into even more money. So all the cliches, you know them. They're still in play. It's 1.3. I mean, if you go out and you pick a winner and I miss a cut. You take the lead, basically. Yeah, it's one win, but it's still kicking a $1 million loss on the week.

All right, we're on to Congri, a place that is not known by very many. The Palmetto Championship at Congri taking place to the Canadian Open this year. I actually had the chance to play it during Harbor Town. Really cool place. Tomfazio Golf Course, 7,800 yards, but it doesn't play like that. The fairways are like jet runways. I mean, they are concrete. It is all fairway, and then waste bunkers.

It is beautiful. It's in the middle of absolute nowhere. Ridgeland, South Carolina. You ever been there? Not yet. Okay. It's on the list. But it is an incredible golf course.

I mean, a special, special place. I'm interested to see, you know, what these guys do to this place. The owner has come out and said. He wants single digits under par winning. Good luck. I shot one under when I played it from all the way back. So I have a feeling they might get to double digits. You might win this.

Yeah, but I'm not them. You might win this. So this is going to be a tough one, though, because not a lot of people have experience around here. The field isn't, you know, overly loaded. You got, you know, with the U.S. A couple babies at the top. We got Dustin Johnson, Brooks Kepka in the field.

field, but I do have the honor. And I'm going with a guy that has some experience around here. And he's been either really hot or really cold lately, it seems. Finished third in Charlotte, missed the cut in Colonial, was playing well in the U.S. Open qualifying. Not sure if he made it or not. But I'm going with Keith Mitchell, my guy, Keith Kevin, Mitchell. Keith Kevin.

Friend of the program. Friend of the program, boogey. Booge, man. Of course he's a member. How would he not be a member? I feel like he slides into everywhere. All right, Keith, that's a good pick. I love the Keith, man.

I'm just going to go off the top because I don't really have any background to go off of. I don't know anyone that's, you know, that's seen this place or whatever, other than Keith being a member. I'm going to go Harris English, 25 to 1. If you look at his recent form, it's okay. A couple top 25s in his last five starts. 13th at the Byron. I don't know. I'm just kind of really taking a shot.

I didn't want to go top. Yeah, it's hard to use Bruce. Yeah. Do I want to use them there? Odds are. Both those guys can be somewhere near the top of that leaderboard. But it's like I want to save them for, you know, one of the big ones coming up. And who knows how motivated they.

I don't know. It's leading up to a major. I'd rather take them out a major than leading up. to it. So I go Harry English, 25 to 1. Keith Mitchell and Harris English. Those are our picks this week. That's going to do it for us. We got an amazing guest next week as well, possibly the nicest man on the planet. Nota Bagei joins us in studio. Yeah, he's a tough one to find something to say bad about. We're going to sit down with Noda, chop it up, talk a little tiger. He knows Tiger. Yeah, he's friends. I've heard their friends. It's same way Justin Thomas

joined Speed. They're friends too. There's a lot of friends in golf. All right. Well, we're out of here. Everybody have a great week. We'll talk to you on next week's golf subpar.