Subpar - Jon Rahm joins Colt and Drew in studio

Episode Date: February 11, 2020

In the first ever interview on Subpar, World #3 Jon Rahm joins former PGA Tour pro Colt Knost and his long time friend and on course rival Drew Stoltz in studio. In his revealing, hour-long interview with Knost and Stoltz, Rahm opened up on a wide range of topics, from his emotional singles win over Woods at the 2018 Ryder Cup; to his efforts to tame his fiery personality; to how he met his new-bride, Kelley Cahill. Rahm even shows off his considerable rapping skills.

This is golf subpar with Colton Drick. Coming out the gates with a bang, Johnny sat down with us for about an hour. We got into a lot of cool golf stuff, playing Tiger Woods over in Paris at the Rider Cup. That's pretty cool story. He gets into that. And you also get a little behind the seat.

You know, you get to know John Rom a little bit better in this interview, I think, than you have in some other ones because he's, like I said, he's a guy that can be easily misunderstood if you're just catching the highlights at the end of the tournament. He opened up and shared some really cool things.

He was, like I said, I became a bigger John Rom fan after this interview. Yeah, I think a lot of people will. He was great, and this is a really interesting interview, so let's get to it right now, the subpar with John Rom. We're now welcome on our debut guest to the Subpar podcast.

He is 10-time winner on tours across the globe, currently the number three ranked golfer on planet Earth, or as I say, in your native tongue, Toto El Mundo. John Rom, welcome to the subpar podcast, my brother, a little espaniola. You know what I mean? I'm bilingual. That was good.

That was good. It makes me miss my thicker accent. Exactly. You can feel free to use that tonight. So we don't play around here at subpar, coming out the gates with a bang. Big dogs only. Johnny, first of all, bigger accomplishment, beating Tiger and singles at the Ryder Cup in Paris, or being the first guest on the Subpar podcast.

Both big. Take some time if you need it. Mm-hmm. God. The silence says it all. Think about it. I'm really trying to say something sarcastic, but I just... They're both an honor.

be honest. It seems so obvious if podcast is obviously better. The fact that there was even a little bit of a delay leaves me to, that's a win for us. And Tiger, we'll get Tiger on here at some point. We'll ask him the same. Yeah, we'll ask him exactly right. Though he'll remember that much. Or we can ask him what's worst, losing to John and the writer.

Or not being invited. Or being on this podcast. The fact that you're having to sit here and do this podcast. That's close. That one's actually close. No, it's not. But John, you're winning events all over the globe, one of the best golfers in the world. But the big news of late.

personal life stuff, recently married. Tell us a little bit about the nuptials, dude. Congratulations, first of all. I mean, what to say, I got lucky to find Kelly when I did in college. I would definitely not be the person or the golfer I am today without her because she, in many ways, helped me out. And I got lucky because what a lot of people struggle is finding somebody who gets the process of practicing and getting better, right? When it comes to golf, it's a very selfish sport. There's a lot of decisions made just for you and she needs to get that. And as an athlete, she understood and follows along and helps me out a lot. So I got lucky in that sense. And then it's a great person, right? I mean, you always try to find the one person that compliments you.

And in my case, it's so great that, you know, it makes me want to be better to be as good as she is in that sense. So it makes me gross a person as well. And if I keep going, I mean, if it wasn't for her, I'll be about 375 pounds by now, for sure, the way I ate in college. What else? I mean, it's, yeah, it's been, you know, not like I'm the skinniest man in the world, but you're fine. You look great. You know, it's great. It was great to find her and then it's great to be married now. And she's way hotter than you. Yeah. Yep. That's always a bummed. Definitely, definitely reaching out. For sure. Yeah, definitely reaching high. I got lucky. You answered that question like she was sitting in the room with her. I don't know. That was incredible. She's going to love that. She'll definitely listen. I never love that. She will love. How was the wedding though?

Yeah, I was going to say, I love it in Spain, right? a little bit about the wedding. Yeah, give us some info. We're actually having two because of families, right? I mean, not everybody can go everywhere. So we did one in my hometown in Spain and Bilbao in a church. I grew up going with my grandma in Spanish, Basilica da Begonia, which the church itself could be older than the country we're on right now. Really? Yeah. I mean, based on, you know, establishing as a country, for sure. It's probably, it's closer to the time where the U.S. or America was this, discovered. I always thought we were the oldest country in the world. We weren't. Okay.

Sorry, so. So in that sense, you know, it's got a lot of history. It was a fun day. A lot of my families. I'm a for family who flew over some friends. For people I don't know, I'm from a rainy part of Spain. More like Seattle, Portland. It's not all sunshine like people think. So we got lucky. It was a sunny day. That's an omen. Windy as hell, though. So like her veil and everything was flying all over the place. The pictures were a nightmare because everything, you know, I was holding her veil, taking the pictures. If you see me my arm behind her back, I'm literally holding the veil so he doesn't fly off

and like pull her head back. It's a great day. Then, you know, true Spanish night, right? I mean, started dinner at like seven and finished at whatever, finished early for us at 5.30 in the morning. Ooh, getting after it. Yeah, that's awesome. Well, we had the party and then we went out to the clubs with some people.

So, like, it was. Oh, the clubs. Yeah. What are the clubs like in Spain compared to America? Oh, completely hole in the wall. Really? Is this door you didn't even know what it is? And you basically walked out.

There's a club. No, there's a club. What time does a good club get going in Spain? Two, three in the morning. Oh, man. Where it's at. You got a nap. It's like in the night.

So usually you sit down at a table maybe at 10, you have dinner, you have a couple drinks. And then when you finish, you know, like one or midnight, you go have a few drinks in the bar because bars are open there until late and then you actually go to the club. Are you a big dancer? Oh, I don't know about his dance. Yeah, but I'm confused by this dinner at 10 p.m. Yeah, that's like young, that's young man stuff.

Oh, I never did it. That's if you're going to go out, that's what you do. Man. That's a young man. I mean, if you have dinner at seven by three, it's all right. You're going to get drunk really quick. What's the music like? What's your dance?

Rate your dance on a one to ten. Are you getting out there? Are you sweating? Like, you come off the floor like, go, I need some water. I just went after it for an hour. I'm letting my, I'm hot-blooded. I'm going to be sweating no matter what. You're a sweater.

I can tell. Yeah, big sweater. Shit. It's, uh, okay, what are the standards? You know, American white man standards? Yeah. That's what me and cold. That's the only way we don't have to judge it.

Exactly. Spanish Americans, you know, Spanish guys, white Americans started at two. Spanish guys started six. So where are you on the end? No, I'm like ballroom. I'm not a practice dancer. I got rhythm and I'm a trendy dancing. There's a trend dance, I'll do it.

I know how to do some things. You know, I don't know how to sell it up very little, a little bit, very basic and a few other things. I just feel like the best way I can describe it, I just got rhythm. So I can listen music along. I would love to see that. I can say the best way I can explain it, my hips do separate from the rest of my body, so I'm not a stiff word. Hips don't lie as well. Exactly.

Sikina, Shikina. I love it. So obviously, you met Kelly over here in America and Arizona State. When you came over here, you spoke very little to zero English. How the hell did you communicate with her and convince her to actually go out with it? It's a good question. Well, we started going out of senior year. Oh, so you had 300.

Well, we actually met freshman year at a Halloween party in a track and field party because she threw jowling for ASU. and I was already a few deep and my English wasn't the best because I've been here for two months. It was better than people thought, but still not great. And I was in the line for the drink for the drinks, you know, typical party. And she was on the line there thinking she was in the line for the bathroom. So she was already a few in. And we had a whole conversation that she doesn't remember and a conversation that didn't understand anything we talked about. Perfect.

I did not what was going on. So that's how we met. That's exactly how this thing started. She was actually, which is funny, she was a replacement riff costume, you know, when that thing with the NFL was going on. Oh, yeah, yeah. She had a rift costume, a walking stick, a blindfold, and she was throwing random flags at everybody around the party. I like. That's creative. That's a good...

Yeah, it's funny as hell now that I get what it is at that time. No idea what football was, no idea what was going on. Who's this crazy bird throwing these yellow cloth all around the club? Yeah, I had no idea where it was. So coming from Spain, obviously, you're very talented. talented junior golfer, where besides ASU did you look to go? Well, or was there anywhere else? I was actually committed to University of San Francisco, and that was about as extent

as my college recruiting goes. Good choice backing out on that. Hey, by the way, college coaches do better. Yeah. Well, this is the thing. We don't know that they can't contact you. Like, you have to talk to them. And a U.S. coach, college coach, sees what you're doing in Spain.

They can't just go to a high school player and be like, hey, they can't, I don't know, whatever NCAA rules. They can't do it. And that's what we thought. And the only reason why the University of San Francisco happened is because I was playing European under 18 championship representing Spain on the qualifying section. And I saw a guy with a San Francisco shirt. My grandma had just been in San Francisco that summer. So I started talking to him. It was the head coach.

And because I initiated, he was allowed to talk to me. So I just said a few words and I was in the eighth hole. He followed me the back nine. He said 600 in the back nine. On the matchplay portion, Spain ended up winning. We won the tournament. I didn't lose a point. And shortly after I get an offer.

And that's how it happened. It was also, they were, it's a, I don't know how to say this word in English. Is it Jesuits? Jesuits? Desuit? Yeah. Like a Catholic? Yeah.

And my family, they're big in where I'm from, you know, that Catholic part and that Catholic aspect. So my grandma was really pushing for me to go to San Francisco. but they made a mistake with my age and they wanted me to sit out a year in Spain. So since that was the only option I had, I was going to stay in Spain for a year and then go to the University of San Francisco.

But meantime, there's this guy called Ricardo Relinke, who worked for the Spanish Golf Federation in the U.S., somewhat involved with TPI and helping college players or people get in better colleges and a better offer than what they can get on themselves. And at that time, there was a guy from Iowa State trying to transfer to Arizona State, which seems like such an obvious thing to do.

Yes. He ended up backing out to ASU had a spot. This was in May. And he told Tim Mickelson, the coach at the time, hey, Tim, used to look at this kid. I was top 15 in the world ranking at a time, wanted to come. Never met me, never saw me play,

never did anything. You just trusted and offer me a scholarship. How does the top 15 kid in the world not have boatloads of college office? That seems like you went through the recruiting process. You recruited everywhere. Like, how does that go just unnoticed? Like, there's a kid in Spain that's really good.

You don't play much in like AJGA and stuff. Exactly. I never came to the States. So the only way for them to see me was to come over there and see me in the British amateur, British boys and those European events. That's the only way. But if they never came, they would never know. So you came to ASU sight unseen, never seen it, didn't know what it was about.

It could have been Arizona. Could have been Arizona state. Could have been Northern Arizona. You didn't know the difference. I didn't have time for an official visit. I had to do my SAT and my TOFA, which I barely passed. my English exam and all that barely made it. I actually made it by one question.

Had I gotten one wrong with the SATs? Clutch. Colch. I think that's a case for a lot of them. Clearly, ASU was my place to be. And then... You're valedictorian. I had no idea what anything was.

Like, you could tell... The only universities I knew from the U.S. or, you know, Harvard, Stanford, big academic schools that you see in movies. When it comes to college golf and all that, I had no idea. It wasn't until afterwards where I realized this... strength that they had over there, right? So I mean, you had a lot of great female players. I thought, Amunio, Julta, Caganda, that played there.

No, me Jimenez, who was there at the time, and it was a great college player. Then you have Alejandro Kaniatis who played for them. And that was going to be the next male. And they had such a good careers there. I mean, national championships, conference, and many things that I thought maybe that was the spot to be. And then plus, it was sunny.

So I was like, well, that makes sense. It's not warm. I'm going to leave this rainy cold place that I live in Spain and now let's go practice. And that's how I was. I came in and I came in with the school year already started because my visa I got here late. So I just got in and started school.

Did you know from like day one your goal? Like was when you came to ASU was your day one goal to be on the PGA tour or was it just let's see how good I can be and see what happens? Oh, God. No, I mean my goal to be one of the best of the world, if not the best in the world, started way before that. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.

I mean, started when I was about 13, 14, when I committed to it. You mentioned that you passed the test that you had to your English portion by one question. And I've heard this in different outlets and things like that. But is it true that when you came to ASU, one of the ways you learned English was your big rap guy. You listen to rap songs. Is that true that you learned, like, whether it was regular English or slang or whatever, that was your way of like, hey, this is how I'm going to learn English. I'm going to turn on Lil Wayne and see what happened.

Yeah, they didn't learn English. I learned a lot of slang. Let's say that. If I were speaking based on what I learned, I would have gotten in a lot. of freaking trouble in school. Yeah, I know people that grew up in America that listen to a rap album, not understand 90% of it. So for a person that doesn't speak English, what shit are they talking about?

I just, I had to like the beat because I had no clue what was going on in the song. And right now, I still have trouble to on it. Like, if I listen to Amigo song, I have no idea what they're saying. I have to look into it. And that's how it all started. I got curious about what they were saying. And some of my teammates would have every rap song basically memorized. And that's how I did it.

I just, you know, I wanted to be able to rap and wrap the fast. parts with them and and it didn't help me learn English it helped me it helped me with the process of thinking in English it helped me with being able to process faster and keeping up with conversations and being able to pronunciate a little bit faster and it was basically a great enunciation tool like you know like it really just helped to be able to to talk a little bit better but I didn't learn English that way probably came in handy for that first combo with Kelly though and throw a little bit of no I started off a little bit after it was a few months

after when I actually started getting into this. And the first song I learned was Backstreet Freestyle by Kendrick Lamar. That's the very first song I learned. I memorized the whole thing, had no clue what he meant, no clue what he was saying. And a lot of it, I missed a lot of part of the culture in the background of hip hop and what they really are trying to say, right? So a lot of it makes more sense now than they did back then. That's cool.

We might get you maybe, possibly, to spit a little verse for us here after the show. Yeah, we'll see. Well, we're going to test these skills. Yeah, we'll save that for a little bit later, but I've heard all about it. I want to see it live. Okay. So you obviously had a superstar college career. You won 11 tournaments, which is second only to Phil.

Best right-handed ever to play the issue. You're the best right-hander by far, just barely ahead of Jeff Quinty, but definitely the second best ever to play at Arizona State. Your number one, Amber in the world, won the Ben Ogun Award twice. But what kind of relationship did you have with Phil in college and, like, what kind of role did he play in your golf game? You know, Tim don't get mad at me for this, but it was a heck of a recruiting tool for Tim to be his brother. Because, you know, we heard a lot of things that never happened. So I actually met Phil when I was in San Diego once with TPI, because with the Spanish Golf Federation, we used to go to TPI. And basically by meeting Dave Phillips, who's my swing coach now, he was good friends with him.

him and we played matches. And I played my first match against him sophomore year, and I played basically one every year after that. And that's the relationship we had in college. I got really close with Tim. Tim became basically my father figure in the States, you know, somebody I could talk to and help me out a lot. He has some stories. If you ever have him here, which you should, he can tell you a few that are pretty funny that I'm not going to talk about because it's a little embarrassing to talk about. Wait, he gave me, so I talked to him earlier. He gave me one. Oh, you talk to him? Oh, are you smart? We come prepared at some part.

I know. I'm pretty sure I know which one it is. No, no, no. I don't think you were. I just, I reached out and asked him actually something serious. I said,

when was the first time you realized John was going to be a superstar and how good he was? And he told me, y'all, your freshman year you all were in a tournament at Pumpkin Ridge up in Oregon.

And y'all play and you get finished and you're like, man, this place is easy. All cocky and confident, go out and shoot 76. Mm-hmm. Correct. Hand him to score card and he's like,

huh, thought you said this place was easy. You go out and fire 76. He goes, and you said, don't worry, I'm going to go low. And then you proceeded to shoot 65, 66, the next two rounds. And he goes, that's when I knew the kid really had something special. Yeah, Pac-tooth preview. I had no idea what conference was either.

Like, it was their plane. Yeah, I ended up finishing second by one shot. I heard all about it. I said that a lot in my college career, right? I shot 77, 78, the next two. This place, dude, wait until tomorrow coach. I'm going to go low as shit. And then it was 80, 79, but you know what?

You just immediately say this place is hard. Yeah, they do play that. I don't think at that point, I had a couple funny ones with him. Like, at that point, I couldn't express myself that well either. It's just not that it was easy. I was just feeling comfortable, you know, like it really felt like being on the Northeast. It was like being back home. So, like, it really felt like I was playing at home.

That's kind of what I meant. Like, I was comfortable, not that it was easy, although I did play really good after that. So it was, yeah, I mean, still not easy. It's a hard golf course. No, it's a very good golf course. Yeah, it's an incredible joint. You mentioned the name of your swing instructor.

seem like a guy that like doesn't really get caught up in mechanics and all that stuff. Do you actually like you mentioned that you work with somebody? How often are you seeing him? Do you guys really do work? Because like when I've played with you, you're like, no, dude, I don't, I don't really work on anything. I just kind of go play. Not that often. Maybe three times a year. I mean, when I go to San Diego, I play with them and we check it's, I don't. I'm a person who who really understood his swing early on. So my first coach, you know, when I really start playing good. His name is Eduardo Phaje. And I still go back to me if I need things.

It's still at home in that small-ass range where I grew up. People would not believe what that place was. He really made me understand my golf swing. And he always told me one thing. It's like the golf ball would always be the professor for you. Let it be the teacher. If it's working, it's working. And then if not, you know, he taught me how to think about it.

It's like, okay, the ball's going right. Why is it going right? Cloudface is open. Okay. It's starting to lie, no, it's starting to write. So the path is still inside and the clock faces open. It's just basically deductively thinking and being able to come up with a solution and be able to hit it, you know, a little bit better. And that's so different than like most of the young guys out on tour and the young guys coming up.

Everybody is so mechanical and, you know, I hate it. You watch these guys. I mean, the track man. Trackman is fine, but like the mechanical stuff. Trackman is needed to know how far you hit it. Yeah. But you watch these younger guys coming up. And I mean, they have four or five people behind them at all times.

And he's one of the most just feel related guys I've ever seen. And it's awesome to watch. I mean, you just, there's no panicking about your golf. And you just go out and play. I actually have a rule on tournament. There's nobody from my team, no matter who's there. If Dave's there, if my trainer's there, my therapist, a physical therapist is there. It doesn't matter who it is all week unless I ask.

The only one that can be there on the range or on the golf course is my caddy. That's it. Unless I ask, I don't want anybody else there. That's great. I love that. That's incredible because you mentioned it. You see these entourage behind these. It's got their physical guy.

They got their swinging guy. They got their mental. They got everybody there. It's like, how many chefs do you need in the kitchen, you know, to make a meal? Like, you don't need it. And you saying that, you know, you let the ball be your professor or be your instructor. That's a great. That's a great analogy.

But does that help you self-correct on the golf? Like, hey, the ball's going right. I'm missing it right. You're not like, oh, my God, I got to finish and see my teacher as opposed like, hey, dude, on the next tee, I know what it is. I'm going to fix it on the next shot. That's why that's a key to my consistency. That's why I'm so consistent all throughouters because I know, like, you.

You know, you're not always going to hit it perfect, right? Just you've got to make the best with what you have. And I understand by swing and I know how I'm missing. Obviously, there's sometimes where, you know, all hell breaks loose and you can really don't feel. But for the most part, I can figure it out to maintain certain, you know, certain score and certain result and be able to pull the round through. I mean, you call, you know, how many times throughout the year you actually say, you know, you play around and hit it perfect. Yeah, not very often. I've never done it.

How many times through tournaments, actually, you've even. Even when you are playing really good four days, out of those four days, you're going to have a stretch where you're like, okay, it doesn't feel the same. Yeah. So just being able to, you know, well, my dad calls survival golf or survival swing of just keeping it in play or just something that works, is what I do. Yeah, I mean, obviously you're one of the best in the world.

So, I mean, your good is obviously really good. But the reason you're so good is because your bad is very manageable. When you have a bad day, you're still getting it around maybe a couple under par, which is huge. And the thing I love hearing you say is I understand my golf swing, which a lot of people, I don't think, do. But that's also why you're number three in the world. I feel like old school dudes have this mentality, right?

Like your Trevino's, these guys, they understood their golf thing. They weren't trying to be perfect on the camera, trying to be perfect technicians. They were just trying to go play golf and know what their ball was doing. You seem more like an old school throwback as opposed to these new kids who are like all into every position being perfect and doing all that stuff. I haven't changed my mechanics, my swing since maybe eighth grade, ninth grade, how am I that? Yeah, the prox. It's been the same for so long. That's a good way to golf. Very good way to golf. Well, it's just, you know, it's one.

And it works. I mean, why would you change anything? If you were, she's like, 76 every round, but I got to do something different. This ain't working. But when you're doing what you're doing, why, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Yeah. And it's crazy because at that time, a lot of people, national coaches, not my swing coach, but some coaches would actually try to get me rid of that boat rest. Right? Something that at that time was panic. Now is what everybody's, someone was looking for. That's what everybody, yes. So it's crazy how how things go. Like I was just doing that. They were like, you know, the way I learned how to create power by using my hips is basically what created me to have the bow wrist to hit a fate. And it's basically what's, you know,

what's made me so consistent in hitting it like that. It's crazy that at that point, they were so focused and try to have a perfect swing. Did your pops golf? You mentioned he's called it, like your pops called survival golf. Did he, was he the one that got you into it? Was he a big golfer? Is he kind of, the reason why he started playing? But yeah. I mean, my, my, My family, nobody in my family, anybody had even stepped on a golf course, really knew what golf was, until my dad started playing. And my dad only started because of a group of friends. I was in South and Spain when the rider cup was going on in 97.

And they said, let's try this thing. And my dad's like, eh, you know, it's not for athletes, isn't that. Keep in mind. And that time, my dad was into free rock climbing, not parasailing, but paragliding. It's a little different. Free skiing. So, like, him and my mom would, like, hike the moment. blank put the skis on and height and free ski down.

No list. Just hike up. No, no. Just type them on and throw it on and you go down and like they were into things like that. So obviously golf was not in the radar. Colt-Nor big into that. So what you're saying is me and your dad have nothing in common. Exactly.

Pretty much. Yeah. So he started playing. He fell in love with it. And then he started playing. My mom started playing. My brother started playing. I was a little young at first.

So they would pick me up from school and they would go get the golf list and I was just sit and watch. Like my mom says, sometimes I would eat something. Sometimes I'll take a nap. At some point, you know, we're all curious as kids, right? So I just picked up a club and started hitting it. Yeah, that's what I eat something and take a nap. Love that's what that was most of my regime. I still do that.

You know what I was going to practice, but I'm going to eat something and take a nap. I got to refresh the batteries, too. I can't go out there on E. I can't go out there on E. Yeah, I feel like in Spain, a lot of people have that. Like, Sergio's dad is a head pro. Alatha Ball's dad was, you know, worked maintenance on the golf course. Savi's family lived on the golf course.

Friend, like his brothers were caddies. I feel like a lot of people have that story related. In my case, no, none of us had any clue what it was. Yeah, speaking of it. Speaking of a savvy, did you get to spend much time with him or ever play around to golf with him? No. He, by the time I could understand who he was and what he did, you know, not that cancer however he kicked him, but he wasn't feeling that great.

He wasn't playing, and shortly after he was in cancer kicked him. But he's like the, you call it idol or whatever. He's the guy you look up to in the game of golf and try to like say that's the standard. That's kind of what else. Yeah, very different ways to play the game, obviously. Yes, I love them. Very, very different ways to play the game. I mean, between him and I, I mean, very, very different.

Yes. The charisma that Sevi had, the way people gravitated towards him, the way they followed him, the way he entertained people is what I love. And I try to copy it. So at the end of the day, we are playing and we are entertainers. Yeah. And people pay ticket and they're there to watch you perform. So, you know, I try to, you know, that's what I try to copy a little bit from him.

It's hard because he was very unique. but he did so many great things. At the same time, how golf grew not only in Spain, but around the world thanks to him, right? I mean, when he started playing golf, there was, I think, 10,000 people that had a license to play golf when he retired. There was 350,000.

So because of the Ryder Cup in Spain that he had a lot to do with, I started playing golf. So that's where I go more towards, I try to put it up on myself to grow the sport of golf in Spain and as much as I can just, you know, because it's my duty, you know, just for the people in the future. Hopefully, someday, some kid can say that because of me,

started playing Gov and it's doing great things. I mean, that's why we have a junior event in Spain now. Not many people know about it until even two years, but, you know, starting to do some things and hopefully grow the game. Hopefully, we can start at some point, you know, having that junior event here in the U.S. Yeah, speaking of some of these great Spanish players that you're talking about, one of the things that I've noticed is that all of them that you've mentioned so far, Sergio Sevi, all have great nicknames.

Sergio is El Niño. Sevi was El Madador. And now here you are the next guy in line to take over the Spanish throne. You're kind of waving the flag for the Spanish people. You need a good nickname for you. And I feel like no one's come up. I call you Spaniard. We're from the movie Gladiator, which I think is phenomenal name.

I don't know if that's too broad. Like, hey, dude, I'm Spaniard. You know, like that's representing the whole country. But you're the guy right now. Spaniard, I think, is the name you got to roll with. Do you like Spaniard? Or if you don't, you need a nickname going forward that people are like, Sergio, El Niño on the back of the hat.

I remember when I watched him at the Masters, when he was a kid. I was like, El Niño, he's my favorite. You haven't seen my hats lately then. Well, they probably haven't focused. But what do they say? Rambo. Rombo. Yeah, Romba with an H of my last name.

I think that's too generic. Yeah, I think we need something. These are hot, these are hot Spanish names. Okay. And they're all Spanish. El Niño, El Madador. You need a Spanish name. I'm here right now to promote Spaniards.

After Russell Crow and Gladiator, who is the baddest man in the world. I agree. And they're one of the best movies of all time. Agreed. I'll leave it up for whoever is listening. Hopefully, journalists are listening. There are bunch of them are. I think we're going to come up with something.

You can come up. I'm scared of what you two can come up with. But if it's a Spanish one, come up with something Spanish. Spaniard is Spanish. Spaniard is Spanish. Spaniard is Spanish. Spaniard is Spanish. Spanish.

It's English. But it's you are the Spaniard. You know what I'm from Spain? Exactly. But that means you're like the whole, you embody the whole nation. I think that's pretty good name, dude. What do you think? We'll work on it. Spaniard.

I think next thing is going to be. All right. So we're going forward. L. Spaniard is the next thing, right? L. Spaniard. Yeah. That's officially. Oh, no.

I mean, if somebody comes out with something I like, yeah, so far, I like Rambo. I mean, I know it's not Spanish, but based on my name is not the most Spanish name in the world. It ends in a vowel. El Rambo. El Rambo. Yeah, I like that. You just had a law or an L in front of it, immediately Spanish. All right.

Let's talk a little bit about your PGA tour career so far. Obviously, you're still very, very young. You've won three. times, Farmers Insurance, American Express, and you teamed up with Ryan Palmer to win the Zurich. To this point, would you say you've overachieve, underachieved, or kind of right on pace for what you thought you would be in your career? So I would say maybe underachieve in the PJ Tour because I've had great opportunities to win other events that I wasn't able to, greatly overachieved on the European Tour.

Greatly overachieved. Wow. That's... What's the difference between playing? Is it harder to close out here or is it different? Is it the courses over there that suit you better, that you, you know, suit your eye more? Or is there any difference whatsoever? It's a bit of both, right? I mean, there is a little more depth. And I know Europeans is going to hate this, but there is a little more depth of players in the PJ tour, right? I mean, there is, especially the calendar I choose to play.

I try to go to the bigger events. So there's just more people that are going to have a chance to win in Europe. They're all quality players, right? But not everybody who's up there. You can see a name with somebody who's not experienced. Or is brand new and maybe it's not used to that stage. Now, luckily with the Rolex series events, you get a little bit bigger stages now. But, you know, I think a lot of people obviously are trying to gravitate to play more of a PG tour schedule.

And that's, you know, those big events here is what makes a little bit more difficult to win. Okay. Got to make sense. It makes sense. So like you said, you play obviously a very strong schedule, the biggest events and all that. Which event, other than the majors, because we all know you look forward to the majors the most, which event would you say you look forward to the most each year? Phoenix. Oh yeah, hometown.

Home town. By far, I mean, tournament I want to win most besides majors. Really? It's just, I mean, I mean, an ESU guy. Yeah. You know, been here for seven years, love the golf course, love the atmosphere, love the environment. I've been fortunate enough to win the Spanish Open, right? So it's kind of like being able to win my second home open.

So it'll be really cool. There's many others though. I do love the Charles Fabian invitation. I love colonial country club. It's a great golf course. Fortunately, I can't play this year. I wish I could. There's many others throughout the year that are great.

Obviously, I love Tori. Not only because I won, there's just a great golf course, love pebble, love L.A. Basically, I love the whole West Coast swing. I'm going to say that, and then throughout the year, there's many great ones. I used to want to really win in Akron just because of how good of a golf course it is and how good of a tournament. Not possible. After playing in Memphis, because of what St. Jude represents in the city and what they do,

it will be a really cool one to win as well. But it really, besides everything, I would really often win. an incredible tournament. Have you ever done a hospital visit there? I have not done a hospital visit, no. It'll change everything. It's incredible. Well, I did. I did. So the tournament I have in Spain partners with something similar. It's a foundation that manages a children's hospital in Spain. And I did a visit like that before winning the Spanish Open this year. And it truly is life changing. It is. It makes any problem you have so small. Anything that you think it's a problem in your life It just seems so insignificant.

You know, you have a completely different outlook on life. Yeah. Yeah. It's very well said. It would change your whole perspective on that. But you mentioned the Phoenix Open. What do you got, you got anything special plan for 16? I know you've trotted out the Rambo jerseys.

You've done different things. What are you going to do for the people on 16? For the people. For the people. It is the people. Los personas. Los personas do it for me. There is something on the works and is not up to me.

Does it involve the gladiator mask? And you're wearing it while you hit it. Dude, you've told me this year ago. It's a great idea, dude. If I could, it would. And I'll gladly grab the mic and just yell like you're not entertained. Yeah, that's exactly it. Dude, they'll chant Spaniard.

It'll be a whole thing. Dude, that's where Spaniard gets launched. That's where Spaniard gets launched in the Strauth. I would love to. It's just, I can't hit it with the mask on like that. You just got to practice a little. You can hit it with anything on. By the way, you hit it to 30 feet, make a part.

No big deal. Move on. You can still win. Dude, as good as you are. You still win the thing. There is actually something on the works with going on my sponsor. Oh, a little secret reveal for the 16. You don't have to reveal it right now, but you got something in the works for 16?

Yeah, no, it's not up to me. Oh, I love that. Okay. We won't even ask you. If they do it, I don't know if I'm going to be the only one doing it because they sponsor more than one athlete. Oh, okay, got you. So hopefully it will be really cool. You know, for people on the stands, they're going to like it.

Okay. That's good. I'm looking forward to saying that here in a couple of weeks. Serious golf question right here. I'm going to ask you as of right now and you cannot answer your, I'm eliminating you from saying your own name for the answer of this question. I'm taking away that option. If everyone on planet Earth, everyone on the PJ tour, European tour shows up to an event,

everyone is at the top of their game. Everyone is playing the best they can possibly play. They go out and play and everyone plays to their top of their potential who wins the golf tournament. Everyone's the best. You can't say you. I'm taking you away because I know you're self-confident you would answer yourself. I got that. And I'm going to just assume that you would answer you.

Who besides you? 100% of the capabilities right now. Right now. Current day. Because otherwise it's Tiger. Exactly. That's right. Present day.

Present day. A random event. I'm not going to say like the Masters or the U.S. Open. I'd actually, I'm a say, I would actually that answer really depends on the Gulf Wars. Oh, do you want me to pick one? I'll pick one and you pick one. I feel like it would be different. Okay.

Yeah. Let's pick a car course. I'm going to pick one. Everyone, you're out. You're going to include it. You're not in the field. You're like me. You're like, Cole.

You're not on the field. Masters. April. Everyone shows up, plays the best they're possibly capable of playing who wins. I would say Rory wins by a margin. Really? Yeah. And who would you say, Colby? I mean, still Tiger's the best around there. You think Tiger right now he's played his best?

His game is going to get really good. I would have said what he said. It's just out there. He has demons there. Well, that's what I'm saying. He's playing his best. The best golf he can play. We're not talking about demons.

That's demons go away. But it's fair. And he, I guess he plays his best. You're right. Like, it's just, I mean, the way he hits the ball and that draw, it's just hard to beat there. I mean, I feel like, think about it. He's playing perfect. He's hitting every part five and two, probably hitting the close.

He's, I mean, his best is real good. He would be somewhere in the 20s on their par if he's playing his best. Okay, fair enough. Okay. A golf course that doesn't suit any type of player, TPC sawgrass for the players. That's a hard one. Yes. Yes.

That opens up a whole array. I ask the hard questions here. Right. I asked the fluffers. So now in that case, you need to go with somebody. You need to go with somebody who's more accurate. Not that Rory's not. Now it's when other names come on.

I mean, Rory did win there last year. True. Yeah, thank you. Very versatile player. You're not in the field. It's hard. That one's hard. I could say it to anybody's.

It's hard. Like that golf course, you know. I feel like that's a better one for Tiger than the Masters, honestly. Really? Because I think the driver is the one week, to this day, he doesn't drive it. He's driving it better now than he has. He is.

But better than he has, but not as good as a Rory or a DJ on top of his name. His problem right now, besides back pain and how he can move, I'll say, is he used to be the longest header by far. Right. Right now, because of how things have evolved, there's people hitting it so much further than him. Exactly. But he's still one of the best iron players in the world. He's still the best by far.

Exactly. So TPC. Anytime we go do a photo shoot with Taylorman, he whoops our ass with irons. Really? Is that even close? What do y'all do? like some sort of combine or something? Well, last year, I think it was, we did a thing where we were in Floridian and a part three

and they had a couple flags and tigers picking shots and I mean, not even, not even freaking close. The ball flight, the way he changes and how accurate he is, is not even, I mean, you can compare. None of us get close. Really? To this day, right now, current day. That's cool to hear, by the way. That's really cool to hear. I thought another cool thing just shows how much tigers changed in the last few years.

The fact that Taylor Made was able to get him in a onesie for the, for the Christmas. Christmas asking. Yeah, yeah. We all have love. He was great. Yeah, tell us a little bit about, I mean, how do they convince all y'all to get up in a onesie? I guess they write y'all, check. That's how we're. That's exactly. That's good. For people that think it's Photoshop, it's not. Good. I like hearing that. It's like, it's like six in the morning, six 30. It's like, we're all eating, we're having a coffee. And you see the racks of clothes that we're going to wear throughout the day. And we all see a onesie. And we're like, is this a joke? Yeah. They didn't tell you beforehand. Like, hey, you know. No, we're going to do this. What we're all thinking is we hope we're not doing the midday and I hope we're not swinging because it'll be hot as hell in Florida to do that. And no, they told us it's a Christmas card. We actually, I thought I'm like, oh, that's actually a pretty cool idea. That's funny.

You know, nothing better than seeing Jason Lee, Rory Microy, Dustin Johnson, Tiger, me and Morikawa and Wolf, just in a freaking onesie, put an ornaments in a tree and just, Rory's sitting now like a little kid like this. I thought it was so funny to see. It was great. It was great. Taylor, mate. I loved it. That was good. All right. The things like that, does that make you like, obviously when you're on the golf course, you want to beat those guys? You want to kill those guys. They're rivals, their competitors,

things like that. But when you do things like that, is it like, hey, we're all boys. It's cool. Does it make you like closer with them kind of competitors and things like that? When you're doing things not, hey, I'm trying to rip your face off right now. Yeah, you're sharing experience. I mean, it's pretty cool. You know, you get to talk to them. And to me was eye opening. The first time that Tiger was in one of those. And Jason Dave was just going off on him, like, completely joking on him. I don't even being pretty... The Tiger take it or Tiger fire back?

Yeah, Tiger's a little more quiet. I think we all know that if he wants to win any argument. I mean, all he's got to do is... So it's like he can basically just get it done. But it's just funny to me. It was I opening to see, you know, I mean, he's a human being, right? But it's just... Yeah, but he's still Tiger Woods.

Exactly. You don't. I'm like, dude, he's talking to respect him. Like, come on, man. Like, don't talk to Tiger. All right, let's talk a little bit about Tiger. So your first Ryder Cup was 2018. You got paired against him.

in singles and took him down. Give us a little glimpse into what that was like. I mean, what was like even the night before? How much time we were? I don't know. Forever. But even the night before, an unlimited amount of time.

Did you sleep well? I mean, how was the morning? Like, all the first E-like? I slept great. Sleepyam wasn't a problem. It was more, I find out at 7 p.m. I'm still at the golf course waiting for the shuttle. And I see, I knew I was going to go on the first four.

And obviously, just looking down, right? I mean, you're hoping you don't see some names. like Justin Thomas was playing great that week. I wasn't, right? You see other players playing great that week. And I see, you know, hockey, Rory, JT. Oh, great match. I see Paul Casey, Justin Rose.

And I look at my name and I see a T. And I'm like, see the Tony Fina or Tiger Woods. And I'd see it. And I'd see the W. And I'm like, oh, boy. I'm like, the guy had just won East Lake. He's lost all his matches. So he's probably pissed off and wants to win.

Yeah. I'm not playing good because I was feeling so bad. I had just got my wisdom teeth out. I was weak as hell. I mean, it was terrible. You got your wisdom teeth? right for the writer cup oh a couple days before eastlake you got to talk to your dentist about that dude back we got well you know you know who advised me to do it who's that oh he's a member at

the same club we remember that he played with him the other day stow stowie yeah our local dentist said you listen to the good doctor he's probably loaded up on the u.s to win the rider cup he's going to do everything you can to ruin you no no no i actually i actually had an infection in boston playing with like a one-on-three fever oh because of the wisdom teeth they were just coming out and he got infected. So I had to get them out. I mean, if I'm playing the Riding Cup with an infection is bad. That's incredible.

Because I didn't have solid food until like the Thursday or Friday of Eastlake. So I was just catching up. So like, I see Tiger and back then I'm like, oh boy. And Kelly sees it and everybody's like, dude, great. You're going to play amazing. And I'm just, you're serious? Like I was really intimidated by the moment, you know, like first Rydica, first single. Yeah, that's a big task.

And so basically right away, I call my mental coach. We talked about certain things, how I'm going to approach it. And then while we're talking, I talked to Thomas Bjorn and Tommy Fleetwood. Tommy Flewold gave me some great advice, a lot of confidence. And Toma Bjorn promised probably gave me the best advice. He was telling me how, well, something we all know, right? I mean, Tiger really capitalizes on the mistakes of his opponents. He's like, he's not going to miss a shot.

He's going to make every single pod. He's just going to wait, you know, play easy, hit on the faraway on the green, wait until you make a mistake and really capitalize on that. It's like you need to beat him in his own way. in his own game and I'm like, dude, I can't hit the far away. Oh, play perfect. Thanks for the advice. Yeah, it's like, yeah, you can't miss. And I'm like, cool.

Well, uh, so I really started thinking on my swing, what I could do and the strategy. And I'm like, okay, I think I got it, went to sleep. It's like great. The next morning, the 30 minutes to the golf course I talked to my mentor and coach the whole time because I'm like nervous. I'm shaking. I'm like, this is right. Yeah.

It's a big stage. And while I'm warming up, I'm like, I try something. I'm like, let's try to see if this helps. and I'm with like a three iron and I'm a hybrid iron absolutely flush it and I'm like that feels good I'm gonna do it again

flush it grab the driver flush it I'm like okay I think I'm onto something here and you know the nerves or the panic went down big time so I was like you know if I can hit a few good I think I'm comfortable and then the one goal I said to myself that day

I was like you know I'm just gonna play like he's not even there I'm gonna act like Tiger's not playing it's just me against the golf course trying to play the most organized round possible and that was hard to do on that first T because man i mean you have 10 000 people you're standing next to tiger the chint in there and his name too because it is tiger woods yeah he just won for the 80th time it was you know a big moment

and uh he tees off first hits it in the far away i try not to really you know think about it because it's a narrow furway and i hit my shot best shot all week was that that iron on the tea was that would you say that first tea was the most nervous you've been in golf oh by far really not even close not even close The best way I can explain it, you know, when you're a kid, first time you're thinking and asking a girl out or telling them that you like her, you're complete panicking. I love that this is the analogy. This is the analogy. Complete panic. I mean, you remember that feeling.

You're like, oh, my God. What if she says no? What if it is? What if it is? And I'm not like, what if I hit in the water? What if I do this? What if I lose? And imagine that times 100.

And obviously, apply to golf. But like that same panic feeling. That's a perfect analogy. I've told so many chicks that I was pretty positive we're going to say no and I was nervous, but I don't think it would compare to what I was feeling against Tiger Woods on the first thing. And that's a mystery. And the whole day, like, even with all that, I just, I acted like he wasn't there completely. Like, ignored him.

Never looked at him, never did anything. And, I mean, I played pretty much perfect. The only bogey he made was 16. It was after a full three-putt. But besides that, it was just a solid round. Is that one of your biggest accomplishments? When you look back on your career right now, you're still super young, obviously. But is that like a thing that jumps out of you?

Like, this is the highlight of my career or no? Or is it like winning this tournament was the highlight? Because that's as a kid growing up, they watch his Tiger Woods win every single event. Now you're squaring off against him head to head. It's got to be something that registers. It is so different to anything. Let's just say match play is different to any stroke play venue play. This is one and one.

But the Ratic Cup is so different. It's by far, I would say, the most fun I've had at a golf course. I mean, that a moment on the 17th grain was by far the best. I remember watching it. Yeah. So I'm curious, and I don't know if you'll share it or not, but you hugged Tiger after you beat him and you said something. And I know he said something back. Can you share what?

I was crying. Really? So, I mean, you know, I make that pot and I just explode all the things I have inside. I just go off. And for other reasons that that moment was special. And, you know, it was when I turn around, I see Tiger's coming towards me with his hand out. You know, after I hug out him. And I'm like, dude, I'm so sorry, like, you know, like for the reaction.

Like, you know, it was such an honor to share this match with you. Like, you know, I'm sorry, but I'm glad, you know, I was like, you know, like, I'm glad it was against you. Like, you know, like, I really apologize for the reactions. Like, dude, don't even, like, you deserved it. Enjoy it. Like, he was really like that. That's awesome.

That's what he said. Yeah. That's what he said. Yeah. Like, dude, like, enjoy it. Like, it's while I was crying. That's incredible. Yeah, you can't see me cry, but I'm literally, I'm holding.

I'm just. Oh, dude. That's totally good. Yeah. I mean, it was the guy you grew up. That was the most special moment I'll ever have in a green, probably almost ever, just because of a lot of things that happen. People don't know this, but after a three-pie, you know, I have that pot to win,

and I'm thinking about it. My grandpa had just passed away in August. My grandpa was by far the biggest fan I had. And I first thought that comes from him was like, man, I wish he was here to see me for whatever reason, right? Yeah. And then I think I'm like, you know, I know him. He's probably up there willing this ball in. For whatever reason, you know, he may.

made me hit that driver straight for sure and that wet shot. He's probably even, you know, he was a little bit of a, he liked to mess with people and after, like, he probably liked to mess with me enough to make me miss that punt in 16 as well. But I'm in that moment. And, you know, I always have my routine where I hit a couple practice potts. I do a practice swing, sorry, and I step back to look at my line again and fix it a point. As I step back, some guy in Spanish yells, just do it for Sevi. And I'm like, what Sevi means to me and the writer come on there, like, oh my God.

You can't add any more to this. And then I'm like, I think, and I get a moment of calmness. And I'm thinking of Sevi's out there, my grandpa's out there. This is going in. Like it's destined for it to go in. And I go in as calm as I possibly could be in that moment. I hit it. I don't see it going.

You see the reaction, I'm celebrating before that balls go in, goes in. It's the coolest moment I'll ever have in a golf course, probably ever. I don't think you can compare with just the level of emotion. And that's why the reaction was the way it was. It's just because, not because of the Radica, but everything, it was more for my grandpa than anything else. Damn, that's, I didn't know where you're going to get so deep in this interview. No, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's cool. Yeah, people don't have never heard that story before.

That's why, then I see Tiger and I start crying like, oh, my God. And he was really cool. He said, like, hey, he was so cool about it. That's, that's really cool, too, because obviously he wants to win a point. He wants to do what he does for the U.S. and all that, but he understands what a big moment that is for you, a guy that's a young kid that's grown up, probably worshiping Tiger Woods. Like, most guys your age, do, you know, all of us did. growing up, he understands that that's a huge moment in your life and he's not trying to, you know, you get, I mean, I think he's,

he's been there too, right, I guess. It's just, yeah. He's had so many moments. I think he's, he's probably, what's your relationship like with him now? Are you guys cool? You guys joke around? You guys hang out or is there still like competitive events? I haven't able to hang out with them because I live on the West Coast.

I mean, to all these people in these coast do spend more time with them. But I haven't really. I mean, still enough to joke around and miss around, but not. See them in a onesie. You know, one of the few. I've seen him in person in a onesie. True. Who knows?

I mean, really that's what with this kid. Tell him to bring back Mac Daddy Santa. That was the picture for the ages, bro. That's the one. I put that on my Christmas card. Taylormate, Taylorman, here's this. Well, you guys have an idea. Mac Daddy Santa needs to be back.

That would be pretty cool. Tiger has to Santa and we didn't ask him for presents. Oh, please, Santa, let me win this event. Please, God. Yeah, exactly. Y'all can be his little elves. Exactly. True.

Well, that's an unbelievable story, man. That's really cool. I hadn't heard that. I didn't know the reaction. I didn't know what you guys said and all that. That's really cool that you would share that with us. I got one last real golf question for you here. Serious question.

Fast forward, 25, 30 years from now, whatever it is. You're retired from golf. You're looking back on your career. How many tournament wins or majors won would it take for you to be totally content, happy with your career? Being like, man, I don't regret it. That was the best I could have done. What's your expectation level, I guess? I wouldn't...

I wouldn't put it on wins because obviously I'm going to say as many as I can. But much like Kobe Bryant said once, I'll be satisfied if every time I practice and every time I go out there, I say, you know, I've done 100%. If I give it my 100% on everything I do for golf and all the decisions I make, I cannot say I wasn't satisfied. If I truly competed to the highest percentage of the highest percentage of the... of what I can, practice as hard as I could, and really dedicated to my craft and what I wanted to do. Whether I win more tournaments or not, I've done all I can. I can call it, I can say I'm satisfying. Yeah, that's a cool way. That's a cool way to look at it. No, no numbers. I need this many majors. I need this many wins. Just everything I do, I'm going to go all the way in,

and we'll see how it shakes out of it. Yeah, I'm seeing right now, I'm focused on major number one. And, you know, we'll go after that if I ever get there. That leads me to my second last question of the day. If you're going to predict which major suits you best or where you will win your first, where is it going to be? It's hard because only one of them is in the same golf course every year. So I think we all feel comfortable there because at least you get to know the golf and how to play it. The other ones, it really depends. You have the open that can be so different. But you've been so good in Europe, you think it's, you think it's open championship or do you love Augusta that I wouldn't figure my way around? I mean, if I had to choose as a European and as a, you know,

lower of the game, the open will be the highest honor for me to win. Like, Claire Jaggon being called the champion golfer of the year could be the coolest and the highest honor I could win with a close second being the Masters. That walk-up 18 at the Open Championship. There's nothing like it. There's got to be the coolest thing. Like if you're walking down and you've won like Shane Lowry in Ireland this year. I mean, that could have been the highest honor and Irish player you can ever get. Yeah.

If Tiger doesn't win the Masters, that's the coolest moment in golf last year. Yes. Like by far, I think. Yeah. Yeah. And obviously the weight Tiger won too. That was really unique. But I mean, for Shane Lowry to win in his home country in the way he won was

buy a bunch. That walk had to be the coolest. He probably just would never play golf again probably and be like, I'm totally fine. Yeah. It will never get higher than that. And he knows how to celebrate. He gets amongst it. I love him.

Yes. All right. So one of the things kind of throughout your career that you have had some criticism for and it's your fiery attitude, personality a little bit. What do you say to the people? that criticize that is do you just say that's me being me have you ever tried have you tried to work on it do you think it's ever going to change or no i work on it it's it's a work in progress you know it's for people that don't know and can and don't experience you know what it is to compete at the highest

level and have that to work with it's hard because at the same time it's not something that's damaged my performance in my game it's helped me play better right just being mad as something that helped me make that burd on 18 against tiger being mad is supposed to help me do a lot of things again angry not mad like angry at some point uh same in ireland for example this year i made boge in a short part four on on on 13 they come back making burd in 14 15 in 16 17 so like it's it's helped me out highest percentage of time in my career there is some times that have gone way overboard and i've lost it like at aaron hills i mean that's probably one of the worst times in my career i regret that so much and that's why it's so hard to change it because i need to

slowly tailor it to, obviously everybody gets mad on the golf course. It's just the reaction. And that's what I'm trying to work on. I hate that because I'm not a person that complains, but I hate the fact that it sounds like I'm so whiny because I'm really not. It's just deflecting over missing a shot. A lot of people do it. I just do it more vocally and I hate that part about me.

I hate how there is some kids I can see that and think that's normal. I don't like it, but I'm really trying to work on it. And I'm aware of that. It's just something that slowly has gotten better. I mean, that's the time from college till now. Slowly is getting better. I try to. But the hardest thing for me is when people assume that that's who I am.

I'm a very different person outside the golf course. You know, when I'm competing, I'm passionate for what I do. I work hard for I do. So, yeah, I get upset when I miss something. And see, that's what I have a hard time with, like, people say, oh, so-and-so acts this way on the golf course. Like, they shouldn't act that way. And I was like, have you ever had a business deal go bad?

Like, do you smile and laugh your way through it? No, you get pissed off. Like, and this is your job. And when things go wrong, you get mad and you're loud, too. I mean, I get it. You don't want to do it in front of kids. True. You don't want to look.

I think you don't really realize it until you see yourself on TV one time and you're like, oh, God, that's what I've acted like. That's what I think. There's some bad moment. Like, man, yeah. But at the same time, I have some great, like, you know, celebrations. Yeah. But I made that part in Tori.

I mean, it's, I honestly, you know, I love these players to death and, and they're great players, but when like, Dustin or Brooks win and just do this. Yeah. You feel like so anti-climactic. Yeah, winning's hard. At least I think it is. Like, I don't know. You know, I was like, okay.

It's like, well, I'm done. So, yeah, it's like, you know, like, I'd rather see, like, when Tiger used to it. And if you go back in the 80s, they had reactions. I mean, they threw their hats. They turned around. They ran on the green. It was more normal to them what it is right now. And I'm not going to be one of these people who has a poker face 18 holes.

And it's not going to have zero motion. Not a chance in this world. Yeah, you probably for that. Yeah, you wouldn't play well. That's not you. No, and I've tried it. That's what I've tried. And that's when I missed the cut because I'm content.

It's just going against my nature. So, like, the one thing I really focus on is just how that reaction comes across, right, and how I channel it. And it's slowly getting better. There's some times where I might still lose it a little bit. But really, I'm working. It's a work in progress. It's a continuous work of how to get it done.

And, again, if I could just snap my fingers and fix it like that, I would. The interesting thing about that is, like, the media will jump on you and be like, hey, he needs to calm it down. It needs to be more flatline and all this stuff. So meanwhile, like, if you look at the stats last year, I think you were number one in bounce back, meaning like when you made a bogey, you come back to the next hole with more birdies than anyone on. So, like, it's not a negative to your game.

It's not like, hey, it's hurting him for multiple holes in a row. It's like, you have that reaction and it's done. And the next hole, you bounce back and make birdies. So I'm like, why would he change that? He's the best dude on the planet Earth in terms of bouncing back after bogeys. When he gets mad, he comes back and makes birdies more than anyone in the world. So why would he change that? Do you know why I believe?

And one of the reasons why I think it's seen so bad in golf. It's because announcers and journalists keep calling it emotional. Like, I'm an unstable person and I might, you know, do something. It's stable. If you, any, both Jackson was called passionate. Yeah. Breaking bats over his head on the baseball field. That's exactly.

It happens to every other sport. Every other sport, they're passionate. Yeah. In golf, we're emotional. Like, we're somehow damaged mentally. I've always said that. Like golfers get criticized when they break a club or something. I was like, these baseball guys break their bats all the time.

Hockey guys break their sticks. Football players come over and slish. slam their helmet on the spot. It's not like Tiger never got mad on a golf course. No, he, as much as anybody. He's never criticized over that. All right. I got a little true or false with you leading to that.

Oh, there we go. So we talked earlier about Kelly being a track star, throwing the javelin. True or false. Kelly can throw a javelin further than you can throw a golf club. Oh, man. I know she can throw a javelin in 130 feet. I've never mentioned how far I can. How many yards is that?

We got any math majors in here? 130 feet? Well, there's three feet and 100 yards. So it's. Oh, hold on. Let's see. You're right. How does it go, boys?

No, she had thrown further in 130 feet. No, 130 feet. Have you thrown a javeling? Have you seen how? Have you seen how? I don't even know. Isn't it? Isn't it three feet in a yard?

So what is that? There's 300 feet and 100 yards. It's just over 40 years. Come on. Yeah, 40 yards. You're better than 40 yards. Yeah. I feel like she's talking.

I think you could throw a seven iron. I know you can throw a club over 40 yards. I think we should set up a little contest between you and Kelly one day. That'd be good. That'd be good. Get the juices flowing. You know what I mean? A little little marriage rivalry here.

No, I mean, I could, just because of my size, I could probably throw a club further. She can definitely throw a club further than me by far. All right. So, true, you can throw a club further. Yeah, true. Yeah. That's all I was looking for us. Yeah.

Yeah, I believe. Oh, is this one? No, that was mine. Rapidly, let's go. Very funny. Oh, I didn't, I didn't even know what you're doing a true or false second. Whatever you come out. I had won or true false.

You win a major in 2020. Ooh. That's right off the top of the head. I can't answer that. If I say yes and I don't win, I look like, you know. No, but if you say yes and it happens, they're like, look, first off, there's two options. It's true or false?

There's not a third. No, true. If you just say true, it's like Joe Namath with the Super Bowl when he won. I say true. Yeah. If you say false, you look kind of sound. No, you have to say true. There's only one answer to that.

Listen, I can come out looking bad or good in either answer yourself. Okay. I'm going to answer true. I have a serious question for you. On your behalf. So Phoenix Open is most likely my last PJ Tour event. Okay. You've won quite a few times on tour.

You're not going to lose your card. probably ever. If it comes down to me and you in a playoff, will you throw it for me? Hell no. Hell no. You're my least favorite guest we've ever had on the SEP Park podcast. Hell no. I'm way too competitive. There's no, I can't physically actually try to throw it. Not a chance in this world. Yeah, you can't just top it in that lake that's right there in front of you. Not if I can carry it. Okay, well, you least have to do it on your, you're going to have to win out right. I had to ask. You do not need a playoff. He's the fourth person I've asked. I've had two yeses would throw it and two no.

Yeah, I'm not. Especially after just said I won that win that tournament so bad. Oh, yeah. He just said that was his number one. Pick another one. Maybe I say, yeah. Oh, no, this is my last one, but that's all I got. But hoping you topped in and you move on to the following week. That's fine. Okay, anyways, I'm over you. Well, what did you expect? That's true. Who said yes? You better get him out right, dude.

Justin Thomas said yes, but he was also drinking a little bit when he did say yes. He probably lied to me. And he's lying. Cheshiremi also said he would throw it for me. Okay, let's see. I hope all four of us get in the playoffs. And they throw it. That's going to be awkward. And see what happens. Gary Woodland also said, no, who's supposed to be one of my best friends? And he just won the U.S. Open.

He's exempt forever. And he's won Phoenix already. Yeah, and he's one Phoenix. Yeah, let me have one. Can I get something? You know what I mean? How much do you need? How much do you need?

You know? How much is it enough? I've actually asked five people. Perez said no as well. Because he's like, oh, I'm not exempt for. You're striking out. You better just go ahead and win this thing outright. His catty H was there.

And H's like, no, he's not throwing it. I was like, H, I'll still give you the win percentage, like what you would have got. He's like, okay, okay, all right, we'll do it. I'll give him a horrible number. I'll give him a terrible number. You sure it's 150? It looks like 110. No, dude, it's 150.

It's the best. Hit the 9. Should we get into some little rap, rap stuff here? Hello, guys. John Rom. It's up part of the podcast. And I'm going to be rapping King, Drink Lamar's King Kunta. I'm looking at the lyrics because I do not want to say some of the bad words and get in trouble.

Yes. So I need to catch myself. So hopefully, hopefully it's, uh, I'm excited. Kill this, dude. This is your time that you're about to get famous. I got a bone on the pig. I don't want you monkey mouth, mother, see me my throne again. How language too, by the way.

Yeah, yeah. I'm mad. Hey mad. But I ain't stressing. True friends. One question. Where are you and I was walking. Now around the game.

We get the whole world talking king. Kuntta, everybody want to cut the legs off him. Kuntta. Black man. taking no losses so yeah where you and I was walking now I ran the game get the whole world talking king couldn't everybody

want to cut the legs of them what you got the yams the yams the yams is a power that'd be you can smell it when I'm walking on the street smell that

I can dig rapping better rapper with the ghost rider what the f*** that's where I wouldn't tell but most of you all sharing buzz like you got the bottom bunk in a two-man cell. John Rom. Some's in the water.

But if I got a gun pose but the gold, then I'd rather be a bum than a motherfucking baller. Where are you and I was walking? Now I ran the game. Get the whole world talking King Kunta, everybody want to cut the legs of him. Kuntah. Black men taking all losses, so yeah. Where you and I was walking? See, the hype man is already lost.

Drish Stoltz on the hype man. Yeah! John Rom! God, that's incredible. It's a prior. Manipulated bill of Clinton with desires. 24, 7, 3, 65 days times 2. I was kind of playing the game.

Now, stay just to go back to the hood, see my enemy and say. Spaniard. I got the legs off him. Black man taking all. So yeah. Where are you when I was walking? Now run the game. Get the whole world talking.

King Kunta, everybody want to look at the rest of them. I was going to kill a couple rappers, but they did it to themselves. Everybody's suicidal. Didn't even need my hell. This elementally, I would probably go to jail. If I shir-a-juid-jou, I didn't team bounce to the list like a flag in my city. Everybody's screaming, come to my master, probably a raffle me on when I'm done. To be honest, and I put that in my mom in my baby boots to 20 million walking out the club.

Better woo-woo. Oh, yeah. Yeah, 15, 25, and I was a little nappy with the world behind them. Life ain't about it. Just screaming, Annie, are you okay? Annie, are you okay? Limited with a goalplay straight from the bottom. Mr. Betty out of fish.

You're requesting to a prince to a mother-pick. Spender! Incredible. At least you have a followback for him. Wow. Shut it. Drop the mic. Sleazy, what an amazing interview that was with John Rom.

Couldn't thank him enough for taking the time out. He was absolutely fantastic. Yeah, that's some cool stuff. I mean, between the tiger stuff at the Ryder Cup. And then what's, but mind-blowing to me is, here's this kid in Spain who's become the top three player in the world. No college coaches were on this kid. This kid was like begging to come to the States to play golf and no one knew of him. No one heard of him.

No one wanted him. And guess what? College coaches. Work harder. I'll take him on my team. There's some diamonds in the rough over there. But yeah, it was so cool for him. And by the way, how about his little hip-hop, his boys into a little hip-hop too?

Yes. Which he loves it. He loves it, by the way. He can go. Oh, he goes. Who raps better? Him or you? Oh, I mean, dude, it's definitely me.

I'm like Master Splinter. He's like my little Ninja Turtle. We might have to have him back and do a little battle. We'll get a battle back. We'll definitely get him back in the studio. And when that happens, we might have to have a little battle just to determine who's got it. All right. Well, that'll do it for episode one sleaze.

Next week, we've got the U.S. Open champ, Gary Woodland, sitting in the hot seat with us. Yeah, the bar. The bar has been set. Woodland's got to get over it. I don't know if he could rap like John, but I know he used to dress like a rapper when he used to wear the, He used to wear the Kangol suits with the one leg rolled up. We need to get into some stuff with Gary. So that'll be a fun one, too.

He is a great man, and he's a very entertaining. Yeah, this is going to be a fun one with him as well. I love it. We'll dive deep into Gary Woodland, find out a lot of interesting things about him. Even his little sociology path at the University of Kansas. Exactly. Big degree from the University of Kansas. Big sociology student. Yeah, he is a very well-read individual on sociology.

But that'll be next week on Subpar. Looking forward to it.