Subpar - Larry Fitzgerald Interview: His two victories at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Hitting an Ace in front of President Obama

Episode Date: April 13, 2021

On this week's episode of GOLF's Subpar, eleven-time NFL Pro Bowler Larry Fitzgerald joins PGA Tour pro Colt Knost and his close friend and on course rival Drew Stoltz for an exclusive, in-studio, interview. The two-time winner at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am explains some unique circumstances behind one of his rounds there with Kevin Streelman, if his Ace in front of President Obama meant more than the one in front of his father, and what it was like driving the green on #7 at Augusta National.

Hello world. Welcome to another week of golf subpar. Colt Nost and Drew Stultz coming to you after the Masters and Hadeki Matsuyama makes history becoming the first male Japanese golfer to win a major championship. What a performance it was, Slees. Yeah, dude, I mean, we said going into last week, you and I both thought this might be the most wide open masters we could remember in a long time. We expected a jammed leaderboard. A lot of the top players playing so well going into this thing. And we were right until about Saturday after the rain. delay and from that point on had Dekke put his foot down and i mean really made this thing you know wasn't in question for a long time until it was again but he played great and uh i just thought it got a lot closer than i thought at the end there we got a little brief you know moment of excitement there with zander and then that went away and then had Deky continued to back up and all of a sudden will's alatoris only finishes up one behind him at the end which i couldn't believe after you know will didn't have his best day on the on the greens yesterday but fun masters for

Fun to see Augusta back with some fire in it, dude. I mean, you were down there on property. You got to see the place for the first time. I thought the golf course played unbelievable, perfect, but challenging these guys all week, but not ever going over the line and getting kind of Mickey Mouse like we've seen with some USDA events in the past.

Yeah, it was really firm on Thursday. It was fun to watch the guys, you know, really have to battle and think their way around Augusta National. Justin Rose got off to an unreal start with that 65. Something, for me being out there, I definitely didn't see something like that. But then, you know, it kind of softened up as the week went on. Obviously, it was very unfortunate that they had the weather delay on Saturday.

But that's where Hideki Matsuyama really separated himself. Shot that 7 under par 65. Then, you know, got off to a really nervy start on Sunday on the first hole, but then just got it together and put on an absolute clinic. Had a five-shot lead with nine holes to play. Everybody's like, this thing's over. But, hey, you look back to 2016, Jordan Speath, same situation. You know, obviously ended up not winning the golf tournament.

And here's Hideki. Just looked in total control. A couple of slip-ups here, but more just great play from. Zander Shafley making four birdies in a row 12 through 15 and then just, you know, a shot that just you can't afford to hit in the situation. You know, the 16, he's got the famous back left hole location where you can use the slope. He pulls it left in the water, makes triple bogey, and that was pretty much it. I mean, I know Will Zalotauris ended up losing by a shot, but it was really never that close. You know, you've got to tip your cap to Hedeky.

That's awesome. Awesome for him. Awesome for Japan. I mean, he was already a superstar over there, but now it's, he's at a whole other level. Yeah, it's going to get to Elvis levels over there from everything that I'm reading and how big, you know, those Japanese stars are over there. But you were there. You got to cruise around the place for the first time. Did it live up to the hype? Everything you expected it to be? Oh, it was an unbelievable week.

I had so much fun. It was so cool to walk around that golf course. I think I walked it probably three or four times total. It was, it's a special, special place. I was so happy to finally step on the grounds of Augusta National and everyone was so nice. You know, I talked to a lot of the members, obviously a lot of the patrons. everyone was so nice, supportive of everything we're doing. And it was a special week. I mean, thankful to CBS for letting me, you know, be on the grounds and participate in the

broadcast. It was a lot of fun. Yeah, beautiful. I want to ask you, because you mentioned Thursday. It was awesome. I mean, Thursday was like, this is how I would draw up a master's. The scoring average like 74 thereabouts, 12 guys under par. It would look so, so tough out there. But yet, there was still good scores to be had. Like you said, Justin Rose went out and went ham that day, which was unbelievable round of golf. Then we got the, then we got the rain a little bit, um, then, you know, the following day. And then the weekend, a little bit softer, still firm. Do you think that's where Augusta wanted it, like at that level? Because I felt like they could have pressed it maybe a little bit more on the weekend, but they didn't and maybe just out of fear for, we don't want

this thing to get too weird out there. Well, Thursday was getting borderline uncomfortable. I mean, what Justin Rose did was, it was ridiculous. I mean, if you, if you missed your spot where you're trying to land your iron shot just by a couple of yards, you were getting punished and it was going off the green or God knows where. And I think they panicked a little bit. You know, the weather kind of changed. It got a lot more humid throughout the week, which keeps the moisture in the greens. But, you know, they have sub-air there, so they could have turned it on. But, you know, I think they got a little nervous. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, it was as firm as I've ever seen it. The greens were brown on Monday. So, yeah, I think they might have panicked just a little bit. They didn't want it to get

crazy soft and they didn't want to get crazy firm, but I thought it was an awesome test. You know, So if you played some really good golf, you got rewarded. If you didn't, you got punished, and that's how it should be. Yeah, I mean, at the end of the day, what, 10 under par wins the golf tournament? That's pretty much, I think, perfect for a major championship, in my opinion. I just thought Thursday, I was like, oh, my God, if this stays like this the entire week, these dudes are going to be fried by the time they get out of there. But it was fun, man.

Matsuyama gets it done. First major, Xander right there. Jordan Speeds, shockingly, in the mix, once again at Augusta National. I mean, the guy, it's weird, you know, rewind five, six months ago, and all the conversation, was is Jordan, you know, when's he going to be back? When's he, you know, why aren't you asking him the questions about his slump? And all of a sudden it's like, oh, six top tens in the last eight events, contending pretty much for the last month straight.

It's fun watching Jordan do Jordan things around Augusta. Because there were a few Jordan moments there where, like, you know, a couple of the chip-ins and things like that. I was like, this might be the week he does it. Yeah, he just, I think he lost it on Saturday with the putter. He really struggled, lost a few strokes and strokes gained putting and just, you know, never got it rolling like we're normally used to seeing Jordan's beef. but, you know, he played great.

I mean, he's had a really long stretch of golf here. He admitted to being a little tired, but, you know, ended up tying for third, which I know is not what he wants, but still, it's a step in the right direction. But, man, Hedekhi Matsiyama, what a week. It's so cool for him. I mean, here's a guy who, other than Tiger Woods, I don't know if anybody has to answer to the media more than he does.

You know, he's got just a mob of media members following him around. You know, he's got the weight of a whole country on his shoulders. So I think this week was just such a big relief. And he admitted, you know, because of COVID, a lot of the media members from Japan couldn't come over. He didn't have to do near as many interviews, entertain near as many people, and it was a lot more relaxing for him.

But he went out and got it done, and now he is the man in Japan. And how about the way he got it done? Like, we know Hadeke's a great ball striker. Tita Green, he's been unbelievable, basically since he came out, since he was, you know, a rookie out there. But he did it this week, I thought,

putting and scrambling. Like, his putter was good enough, clearly good enough, and his scrambling was unbelievable. Like, I'm not used to thinking Roy Mack, or excuse me, Hadeki Matsiyama, I'm thinking of a short game, and this week it was a joke how good it was. Yeah, the up and down on 13, I thought was clutch.

When he almost flew it in the azaleas, you know, it comes back, made that chip shot look rather easy. You know, even the bunker shot on 18, I was just, I was, he hit the terrible pitching wedge after just a great tee shot. You know, all you got to do is hit the green, three putts, this thing's over. He misses it in the right bunker. I'm like, fat this one leaving in the bunker, maybe catch it a little thin with the nerves, go over the green.

You know, Will's Alatoris might not be out of this thing. but just an awesome bunker shot, awesome short game all week, something he's not known for, like you said, really put on a clinic around the greens. And he was a deserving champion. It was really cool to see the emotion from Hadeki. Dude, I'm glad he mentioned that about the shot on 18 and blowing it in the bunker. I was thinking that same thing. I was like, all right, if this is me, I mean, it's a chunk and run.

It's not that hard of a bunker shot, but I'm like, all right, so I over chunk it and I leave it in here. Now I got to get up and down, or I knife it and send it into the patrons. And the shot on 15, too, after he hit it in the water long, he had that thing laid wide open. I was like, God, if this land's on the green, he could be chipping it back into the water, then he's got some real decisions to make. I'm glad to hear that you were thinking kind of the same things. I was like, this thing ain't done in my world right here. This is chunk or knife city.

Yeah, I thought he could have put it away a few times, but in the end, he got it done. And awesome for him, awesome for Japan. That's a big deal over there. I mean, the Masters is huge in Japan. Golf is huge in Japan. And for him to be the first male to win a major championship is really, really cool. But Sleez, we've got to get to our man this week, a man who's played Augusta National. a number of times.

He's the legend Larry Fitzgerald sits down with us. A man who knows what it's like to get a lot of media attention, especially in this town. Larry Legend, Larry Fitzgerald in the house. We got to play some golf with him the week prior, so let's see what that game was looking like. We get into a lot of things with the man. We get Pebble Beach, you know, the two-time champs there with Kevin Strelman.

We get into a little football. You'll hear what we talk about there. But there's just no, like, I feel like we're beating a dead horse and we're kind of saying the cliche thing. There's not a better dude in the world. It's almost like the first time I met him a number of years ago, and I got done with the conversation, I was like, is this, is this really you? Are you really this nice or is this some sort of an act or whatever? And it turns out it is actually genuine. He is just one of the best guys. And I feel like we're, like I said, beating a dead horse, but it's real. Yeah, I tell everyone, he's the nicest man I've ever met, ever met. So let's get to it. Here's Larry Fitzgerald on Golf Subpar. All right. Our guy here today has so many NFL awards and records that would take about half the show to get through them all. So we'll just leave it at. one of the greatest wide receivers to ever play the game of football. But more impressively, single-handedly has carried Kevin Strelman to two AT&T,

Pebble Beach Pro Am victories. Larry Fitzgerald in the house. Good to be with you. Glad to be with you guys as well. I appreciate you having me. I'm glad you could squeeze us in between golf round. I don't know if there's a man on the planet that plays more golf than you. I don't know about that.

I know a few guys that definitely play more golf to me. But I do enjoy the game, something that brings me a lot of joy. The thing I most enjoy about is just the people you're just to people. able to meet the relationships you're able to build and you know you never see anybody unhappy on the golf course every time no matter what you shoot you know you're frustrated from from time to time but you're never like unhappy i like it well tell us what what drew you to the game of golf because you haven't been playing that long yeah i've been playing about seven eight years one of my former teammates who now plays currently for the houston uh texins andre roberts was like man fitch you got you got you got to try

something all you do is sit at the house and you know do this and that you got to try something different I was like, man, I'll try it. So I went out to this little charity event. I played like a dog, but I hit a couple of shots. And I hit a couple. I compressed it. And like, still to this day, there's nothing better than they can press golf or going in the direction that you want.

Like, there's no better feeling. And I did it. And ever since then, I've been completely hooked. Yeah, you play tons. We were just talking before the show and you're like, when are you playing next? Oh, a couple hours from now. So you get out there and go, what would you used to do with your free time before golf came

along? Nothing productive. Nothing productive. Waste of the whole lot. lot of time. It's frustrating that I've been here 17 years. It'd be 18 years in April and I only been playing golf for, you know, eight of the years I've been here, which is frustrating. I wasted eight years of the best golf in the world and, you know, so I can never get that back. So I still kicked myself for not playing earlier. We're about a plus three right now. Yeah. Starting early.

I looked up. You are a 4.8 index right now. Yeah. Not too bad. But we got to talk a little bit about your member at Wishbrook, where we all play, about your process of joining there. in the deal Greg Trias, the owner made with you. So about seven years ago, I've been playing for about, you know, six months or so. And another Whisper Rock member guy, my name of John Langbine, local member here. He was really close with Greg. And he called Greg on the conference call. And I said, hey, Mr. Tris, hey, I know I've met you a couple times in passing.

I really would love the opportunity to join Whisper Rock. And he said, there's no way in hell you're joining my club. I heard about how you play. and I'm not playing behind somebody that hits it all over the place is going to make me wait from shot to shot. So until you break 90,

you don't have a chance of ever joining any club I'm associated with. I'll see to it that it won't happen. And so, you know what, just like any competitor, he lit a fire under me, and I went to work.

I worked hard, tirelessly, and I was up to hitting balls over at Ganey Ranch and all these different places trying to get my game together. And I remember I was playing over at McCormick, and I hit Irony, iron for iron off every single tea because that's the only thing I could like keep somewhat

in the general vicinity of straight and I shot my little night 89 and I was ecstatic as soon as the round was over I called them and if the tree said cut the check I'm a man in my word you can you can come on in that is how was it closing out that round knowing like all right got to get in an 89 and this thing's done you know the worst thing for me is ever to know what I'm where I'm at I never I don't like to carry the score card you know I'd like to add them up in my head after the round. I never like to know like, hey, bro, all you need to do is make par par and you'll shoot 89. That's the worst. That's the kiss of death. I'm for sure going to make a five on one hole and you know what I mean. And so I never wanted to know what I was. And

John told me, Larry, you did it. And we added them up stroke by stroke every single hole. And I was able to do it. I was one of the happier days in my life. I mean, what a man of your word you are because I mean, you easily could have just been like, oh, hey Greg, I shot 88. No. That's awesome. I love that you went out there and you grind it. it out and got it up. No, you guys both play professionally and something that you don't ever do is you don't, you don't lie on the golf course, you don't cheat the game, something that just, that's bad karma.

And still to this day, man, I mean, I, I sometimes would take a double when it was really an X, you know what I mean, but I can't take any more based on my handicap anyway, so it doesn't make any sense to add them up. But, you know, I always say what I had, and I'm usually keeping counter the guys I'm playing with, too. I like that. You said, Seth, you've been playing a little over seven years now. What's low round so far for Larry Fitzgerald? I've shot 73 times.

73 times. Yeah, I'm not just, I can't, I just for summer, I can't get, I can't get past it. It's been killing me. It's been killing me. Desert golf, because there's strength, like, you hit it far. You do a lot of things good, but Desert golf, you hit one out. Like, you hit a couple crooked ones. It's double, basically.

I can score, you know, like, good round. Like, I've made eight birdies in a round before. I mean, like, I can score. I just, I'm always prone for that double. I just don't know when it's going to happen. And it could be something that stupid is leave it right in the right place and blade it across the green into it, you know, like just something stupid. And then the T-Bah sometimes gets a little sporadic on me.

We played the other day and you were one under through eight. You were playing great. And then you get to like the 13th hole and you hit it out of play and you're like, see, this is what happens every time. It's almost like you're just waiting on it to happen. I know it's going to show up at some point, right? Like I- It doesn't have to.

You can go the whole day without it. I would love forward not too. I would love for it not too. If I could just keep the driver and a three wood in play consistently, I feel like I'll be solid. Because from 115 and I feel like I'm out of one. You chip it unbelievable. Yeah, I feel like I'm solid around the greens.

And if I'm putting decent, I can get it. I can fill it up. Is that part of the reason why you and Streels are such a beast at Pebble? Because you get to play uptees. You don't have to hit driver if you don't need to. So you can hit irons. You keep it in play. And then you go out there and you can shoot some digits out there.

Well, Strills is the model of consistency. He never makes big numbers. You know, he hits the driver straight as a needle. I mean, he puts the ball on the green. You know, if he's putting it good, he's going to be in contention. He's going to be playing well because his driver literally does not move. I mean, where he aims it is usually goes. And so I know I just need to chip in on my shot holes, make a couple net net birdies.

I'll make a couple natural birdies and he's going to do his thing. I mean, and out there, I played with him five years. Strills never finished outside. out of the top 27 anytime we've ever played. So he just has a good feel for those courses. He just, he's comfortable there. I don't know. He just, he always plays well, so I just got to do my job.

What's the difference? Because you won there twice. You obviously have huge success. But you play with him at home. Is it any different playing with him at home first playing with him at AT&T? No, he's still talking shit, you know, still mess it with me. And I love Strills of Death Man, because he's one of those guys that, I mean, you guys play professionally and playing with guys who are just now beginning.

It's not enjoyable when you're looking for balls in the desert and, you know, like when you guys are not doing that. Your balls are going where you want them to go. And so I remember when I first got into the club and I met him, he would play with me and he would give me literally, you know, 18 shots and, you know, take money from me every single time. And now, you know, it's all the way down to about, you know, three, three aside now, you know. So, like it's, so it's getting lower and lower and hopefully I can whip his ass, you know, my own. a mono here. We're open to. You home a little payback because he came on this show and we asked him if he had a 10-footer,

save his life, who would he pick you or Brian Erlacker? And he went against you, dude. That's okay. Lack does make some good putts, so, you know, that nasty cutty hits, you know. It's a little quick. It's a little quick with that. You got to let that little hitching there for a big fella. How did y'all's partnership?

Clearly we all played the same club, so you meet Kevin out there. But how did the partnership for AT&T start? Who recruited who? Who did he go to you and be like, Larry, I want you to play? Where were you like, hey, man, I'd love to get in that pro-amp? Well, so Mr. John, who runs the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, you know, former Whisper Rock member asked me if I wanted to play with Kevin,

you know, knowing that we had history and also just my familiarity and comfortability with him. And so it was great, it was great, you know, because Strills is like this. I mean, the temperament, good, better, and different. He's always the same guy. a lot of fun. He's so well respected out there on tour, you know, in his station, you know, as, what was his position at the PGA? Players advisory council. I mean, so he's got a great understanding of the game, the relationship with sponsors, just etiquette and how he carries himself

on a daily basis really suited me. And I think that really helped me just to feel comfortable when I was playing the tournament. What are the nerves like for you that week? Because, I mean, obviously, you don't play golf professionally, but you've been very successful at that event. You get nervous? No, yeah, I get a little nervous. I get a little nervous. There's no question about that. But it's liberating and freeing to know that you have somebody who does it for a living. And for the most part, you just got to contribute a little bit.

He's never going to be out of the hole. You know, whenever I have my bad holes, he always makes par. You know, so it's like, it's no stress at all. And that makes it a lot more comfortable. What about when you hit it a little offline and you get the galleries racing over to the ball and they form that little tunnel to watch you hit? Something's got to come up at that point, I would think. You know, the thing I'm most proud about, I've never hit a spectator before in any events.

And I always worry about that, you know, because fans staying entirely too close at that tournament. I just like, look, I know that guy might be a CEO of a Fortune 200 company, but I would not bet on him hitting every single fair way. So you should back up a little bit, you know. And so it's cool. I've hit something over in some different places, but I've never actually hit anybody. So that's comfortable. Knock on wood.

Yeah, exactly. Your ball comes off a little faster than a lot of guys, too. So they definitely need to back up. Let's talk a little bit about your relationship with Tiger Woods. I know y'all become good friends over the years. You play much golf with him? Yeah, I played golf with him a few times. And more so just talking and getting advice and getting some guidance.

You know, he's an unbelievable wealth of knowledge in terms of just dealing with celebrity and living in the spotlight. I mean, he's been in the spotlight since he was three years old, played in the biggest, most pressure, cooking things, you know, dealt with, you know, personal life issues. I mean, he's kind of touched all the bases and has unbelievable insight. And so, you know, I always pick his mind about those type of things. He's been a great friend and mentor. And I just always, you know, want the best for him. I'm glad he's been able to get back home and be on the rest comfortably. And, you know, I just hope that, you know, he's making a speedy recovery.

You guys keep in constant contact? Like, where you text him, reach out after he wins a tournament or something like the accident? Yeah, I've talked to him a couple times, you know, since. since the accident and you know he seems to be in good spirit and I try not to bother him I know he's got a lot going on and um and I try not to be a burden and uh but I would always check on and make sure he's good that's awesome well place that's very special to him and I know special to you. Guston National. You recently went and played. Tell us a little bit about how many times you played? I played it a couple times just a couple of times. I played it a couple times and I played it's

It's one of those places where you're just truly a privilege to be, not only play the golf course, but to be on the grounds when you come in there. And every single detail is just so immacconally done. I mean, from the green curves, I mean, not a chip of paint ever out of place. No leaves on the ground. I mean, it's just, it's unbelievable to see the level of detail that's done there. And, you know, from the food and the hospitality, the service, the accommodations. It's just, it's a golf mecca for a reason. And I know, remember the first time I played it.

I came in and I was just elated, you know, just had never been to the tournament before. I was literally my first time on property was the first time I played it. And I'm driving down. I'm like a kid. And, you know, just on my fingers on the window, just looking out and everything. So I'm feeling this overwhelming sense of gratitude. And then I remember I had a complete opposite feeling, walking up, 18. Like, I was depressed walking up 18 because it's, because it's almost over and you never

know if you're ever able to have the opportunity to come back again. And so, like, like, I remember putting out on 18. I'm shaking everybody's hand and I got my hand in my head, like, damn, I gotta go home now. Emergency 9? Emergency 9, fellas? What you say? That's so cool. What's your lowest out there? I have shot 80 a couple of times. Okay. All those right to left holes, not ideal. for that little little buttershot you like to feel out of that. I know. 10 eats me up.

Three eats me up. I just don't know how to play that hole. I mean, hit drive right up there short of the mound and then bladed it over the back of the green or chip it up to the hill and the ducked and coke back down. You know, that hole eats me up.

What's your favorite hole in property? Seven, I would say, is my favorite. Really? I drove that green one time. You drove seven? Yeah, I drove the green. Yeah. Oh, my God.

So that was a, that was a formal. Those muscles ain't just for look, dude. No, no. Those things are functional. No, they're functional. You travel a ton to. I think I've read you've been over like 100 countries. Augustine Ashe was like the place.

Everyone wants to go to. What are some other trips you've made with your favorite golf courses? Well, going to play in the old course, you know, it's like the great program is for any golfer. You go and you experience that. And everybody who's ever played the game for the last two, three hundred years has played that place. and it's majestic. It's not a like a hard course, but so much history, so many wonderful tournaments and great champions have played the course.

And another place that my brother, not my brother, my buddy, Andre, that introduced me to the game, he married an Australian girl. So you'd go to Australia every single year. And I don't know if, you know, the listeners, you definitely got to go visit Australia. There's been 50 days there, one. Yeah, my first trip ever leaving was to Australia. And, you know, I kind of like backpacking. and road-tripped it around the whole country.

It was really, really an awesome experience. The people there were fantastic and so much history and getting learned about the aboriginity culture. And, you know, it was a lot of fun. I didn't play golf at that point either, so I was really kind of just submerging myself in the culture and the cuisines

and the different experiences there. But now mostly it's golf trips. We go watch the Australian open tennis and play golf 36 every day. It's awesome. Give me a golf course you haven't played that you want to play in a country you have a visit.

So I got a, Jimmy Dunn is taking, taking a bunch of us over to Ireland. I've never been to Ireland. So, you know, all the courses there. I mean, I've studied them, looked at them, topography and all this stuff. And I'm like researching places and the rain gear I need and all that stuff like, you know,

so I'm really looking forward to going there. So I've been on the bucket of list for a long time. We're all county down. That's the best? I love it. That's where we played the Walker Cup. It's unbelievable. Beautiful.

You'll love it over there. Looking forward to it. Yeah, that's some good spot. You've played all these great golf courses. You've played with tons of cool people. Is there a person you've gotten to meet through golf that stands out to you that otherwise you maybe never would have a chance to meet? Yeah, I mean, it's a lot, a lot. But, I mean, there's, I'll say there's a few guys that have really kind of just opened my.

Like Greg Tree is, you know, he opened the door, let me in the Whisper Rock. And there's so many great things have kind of transpired since. I got into Westbrock. All the great people I've been able to meet and the connections, and that's taking me to different areas. And then, you know, Jimmy Dunn, Sam Reeves, two guys that, you know, I love dearly, have really, really taken me under the wing also. And, you know, kind of taught me the game, you know,

from a different perspective that I didn't really see it. So, I mean, golf is like one of those games. It just continues to, like, this. open new doors and teach you new things, not only on the game, but in terms of life. It's just like one of the, Sam Reeves is 87 years old, and I mean, he's still, every time he plays golf of people, he's learning. You know, he's constantly asking questions and inquisitive, and it, there's just an eye-opening experience for me to see, you know, just how much you can, you know, grow in terms of learning from the game.

That's so cool. But obviously here in Phoenix, you're probably the biggest celebrity. in town, but you're a guy that you still go out of a lot of night. You eat dinner in public and all this. How is it for you when you go out? Do people mess with you at all? No, I mean, I've been, I like to get out, so it's not, I'm not like, it's not an anomaly to see me out, and, you know, I'm pretty personable, so, you know, I chit-chat with most people, and, I mean, they treat me just like everybody else, which is really nice,

you know, because people say, you know, he's, you know, he's a dad and just a local citizen. I like that. That's what I love about Phoenix is, um, it's a really, big city but it's really small though i mean everybody knows each other um go to the same restaurants you're at state 44 or over at the henry or tarbells i mean like everybody everybody everybody everybody everybody everybody's there and join it and so i mean it's it's a great city and i love it you're almost too approachable because i know for a while there was times where you'd be walking around the mall there might be an old lady come up and pitch you on the half too you're a little too friendly dude yeah that's

happened on several occasions you know i give the old lady's pass his dog you know that is true funny but we got to talk a little bit of football I mean sure absolutely I'm always curious about draft night for you guys you know you come out your superstar pit you had to you had a little issue at the NFL right you weren't going to be allowed to go to the draft in 2004 first yeah so marie scloret and mike Williams marie's claret was at Ohio State Mark Williams is playing wide receiver at USC and both of them were sophomores as as was I and I remember Devereux representation got in contact with me about petitioning the national football league and if not

petitioning you know fighting our way in and i was sitting there talking to my dad and um you know some other people are like yeah i don't know if you really want to get into a fight with the national football league before you've actually gotten there it's probably not a good way to to start and so we decided not to go that route we went a different route reached out to them and tried to find another way to go. And technically, I was a, I was a, I was a, I was graduated 2001, but I went to prep school. So I was technically three years removed from my original graduating class, and that's what essentially opened the door and allowed me to get in, you know, after my sophomore year. So I was pretty fortunate to be able to do that and very lucky to be drafted here by Dennis

Green and Rod Graves and Steve Kheim, who was also here, who's a general manager now. We're all, we're all here. And it was very, um, it was a, um, it was come. to kind of come in and play for a head coach that I had familiarity with. He was a head coach, Minnesota Vikings when I was a ballboy there. And so, like, it was a lot of familiar faces and really allowed me to kind of just spread my wings a bit. Going into that night, did you kind of note, like, number three at Arizona is your spot? No, because I had gotten a lot of contact from the Oakland Raiders who had the second pick, and I've been to visit them twice before the draft.

And the general manager actually went to Valleyford Military Academy, Mike Lombardi. And so we had a lot of dialogue prior to the draft and even draft night. We had some dialogue. So I really thought I was going to go to Oakland. And they ended up taking Robert Gallery with the second pick. And when I got to Arizona, you know, I was hoping that they were taking and he did. I want to go back before you got to the NFL to your high school days. When you were a ballboy from Minnesota Vikings, you talked about that a lot.

Is it true? You developed a relationship with Randy Moss, Chris Carter. They were like two of the best to ever do it. Those guys would show up to your high school football games at the time and watch you play. Yeah, man, it was crazy. It wasn't uncommon to have like six or seven guys come to one more high school games. It was so cool. And, you know, it just made you feel so loved and appreciated as a youngster.

You know, you're 16 years old and your idols showing up to your games. And when Kevin Garnett would come to a game here and there, I mean, like, it was really awesome, man. I like that one of the best childhoods ever. And, you know, to be able to be able to call in those guys, pick their minds, ask them questions. good, better, and different, you know, how do I make a decision on my college choices? All of those questions I could ask them at any point. And, you know, they made themselves very approachable for me. And, you know, I loved it.

And, you know, still keeping contact with all those guys to this day. Probably doesn't hurt with the ladies when you got some of the NFL's greatest showing up to your games to watch you. Did you take, is it true Randy Moss to lent you his car from? Yeah, let me, let me drive. That's sick. He had the 740, L.I, BMW, and I was styling and profiling. And so, yeah. That helped too.

I didn't tell him I didn't have my license yet, but, you know, it was still cool. Yeah. Yeah, that's great. I mean, how cool is that, though, as a kid with your dad being a member of the media? I mean, as you said, you're a ball boy for the Vikings. You're out there shooting and warm up with Kevin Garnett, fielding balls with Kirby Puckett, and then you see Mike McDonough skating around the ice. Yeah.

By the way, Mike McDonnell, I mean, he did all right with the ladies up there in Minneapolis. I didn't, you know, I was a little young at that time to really know all that about that. You know, I was a good-looking dude, greatest American hockey player ever born. in the States and he's awesome I love Mike I always enjoy seeing him and catching up with him

You big hockey guy? I watch a lot of it My high school was really good You know We won two state champion I'm sorry One state championship When I was in high school

And since then They've won a couple more So our high school was kind of a juggernaut In hockey Get to your time in the league Like your wide receiver Clearly there's been tons of guys Who are physically gifted

Tall, strong athletic can run fast, things like that. You fit that profile as well, but you've separated yourself from all those guys become one of the best to ever do it. What do you think you do better than all the other guys who've become wide receiver before you? They have the same physical gifts.

You know, fortunately, I've been able to stay injury-free. That's the biggest thing to play football for a long time. You have to be able to avoid the catastrophic injuries. And, you know, for some reason, I've been able to do it thus far. And you look at Jerry Rice's and Iranian Mosses and Tiro, and those guys have all been able to have long careers based on those facts. Also, you just have to have a desire to continue to improve.

You know, once I talk to guys all the time about this, it's like once you reach a certain level, everybody that's playing in your position in the league is gunning for you. They want what you have. So it's much more difficult when you're hunted than the hunt. You know, when you're going out there and you're chasing other people and nobody's worried about you, you know. But when you get to the top, everybody's coming for what you have.

And so you have to be able to work at a level that's, you know, it's hard to maintain. You have to, you know, make a lot of sacrifices to other people I'm willing to make. You know, I turn down movie opportunities and this, that, and the third. When you get on the top, there's so many things that come, but never can come before football. And I think a lot of guys make the mistake of getting involved in a little bit too much. And it takes away from what you need to be focused on. Because at the end of the day, you know, football is what butter the toast. You know, everything else is secondary.

because if you're not doing that, then they're going to move on from you. And so I think that's the biggest thing is I always maintain my focus with the game. You know, there's other things I was interested in and I loved, but nothing more than what I wanted to do is play football. By the way, I just want to go back

because I'm not going to ask you for the answer, but you did say you've been injury-free thus far. Just like, yeah. Up to this point. You did also say you were offered movies and things like that. Was there any movies that ended up coming out that you turned down that somebody else got?

Like it's not they weren't like big roles, but just like cameo appearances and stuff and You know it wasn't like a lot of time, you know, it'd be like hey you got to be in L.A. And May and June for you know a couple like in that stuff was it was too much or dancing with the start I didn't And I didn't want to do anything that would you know Like just take away from my preparation and so like it was opportunities presented up by I just something that I was really you know you know, eager, enthusiastic to do. So then they gave it to Shaq. The NBA guys can do it, man.

They're that skilled. If you look at your, you know, your record page in the NFL, there's our own Cardinals, it's so long, it's ridiculous. We don't have time to go over them. But are you a guy that pays attention to records and stats and all that? No, not really. I mean, nowadays in the social media age, it's impossible not to know. I mean, unless you just live under a rock, you know.

So, I mean, our media relations would say, hey look Larry you need this amount of yards and touchdown or this to be able to get to this milestone so you have a general idea but i've never been one that was crazy about individual records you know this is a team game it's this is not it's not golf you know i'm not going out there playing by myself um and it's great to have a bunch of individual records but if you're not having sustained success as a team you know i mean what are you doing it for it's it's um it's about winning championships and making deep playoff runs you know you look and you just marvel at guys like Tom Brady who were able to have, you know, 22 years, 20 plus years are just dominance, you know,

and, you know, you just don't, you don't see that that often in individual sports. And it makes you, makes you work that much harder because you see that it's, it's possible. It's, you're capable of doing things like that, but realistically it's not, but you still have to have the same mindset to go out to their approach it that way. You kept your head down, you focused, you turned down a lot of opportunities that were out there that, because of football, because you want to stay focus so the answer this might be nothing but if there's one thing you could do over in your career up to this point what would you would you do anything different i was out of picked up the golf club a little earlier that's a good one that's the only regret 100% i would have done that earlier

i would have kept me it would have kept me out a lot i made a lot of you know foolish decisions and did some dumb stuff when i was young and golf i'd rather play golf didn't do anything else you know Outside of spending time of my kids or, you know, doing those type of things, I'd rather be on the golf course. So going out to Vegas and kicking it until 5 o'clock of the morning, I would have had a tea time at 9, so I would have went to bed earlier. You know what I mean? Like, just those type of things, I think is great. I mean, I encourage, like, all the young guys to get into it because it really is, it takes a lot of discipline. You know, you're a great athlete, but that ball's not going to move itself.

and trying to get the ball to go in the direction you want is very difficult. And it takes a long time and a lot of effort and thousands of hours to be able to, you know, even to be somewhat proficient at it. So it's a, it's a, it's a discipline. It's the same thing that you would do when you're running routes. And so I think it's really good if you can get into it early. I love how obsessed you are with the game. Is it true that you have told defensive players hit you in the head, not the legs,

because you're worried about your golf future? No, I didn't, I would tell him. after, you know, because it's not because of my golf future, but, you know, I wouldn't say it's the most intelligent thought process, but, you know, if you tell your knee up, you are done right now immediately and potentially your career is over, you know, you get concussion and the things that come from, you know, head trauma or things that are going to affect you later on down the line, you know, it's, it was stupid to say, and I wouldn't, I wouldn't say it or advise it anymore, but, you know, when I was younger, that's the way you think.

Give me a helmet to helmet. Don't go down to the knee. I got it. I got it. I got to see, I'm getting up at 10.30 tomorrow, boys. Well, stand on corners. The guys that hit you. Is there one in your career you've faced? It's been your toughest matchup? One guy that stands out? Oh, man.

They all bums. I was really happy when Cam Chans to retire. Yeah. Yeah, I was very happy. I hated to see him have to retire based on what happened to him. But, man, he was a problem, man. That guy was strong. Strong, physical.

He just made life very difficult. Very difficult. See one you might have looked out of the corner of your eye when you were going across the middle? Maybe. Every snap, I'll find out where he's at, man. Hey, Kemp, don't hit me in the head or their knees. Just don't touch me at all.

Yeah, just don't ever even. It was like, this guy was like literally made a granted, man. Oh, man. What's it like playing up there in Seattle, too? Best atmosphere you could ever imagine. I mean, just literally on third down in the fourth quarter of close games, you can't hear yourself think. I mean, everybody is so close to each other,

just trying to, you know, get the play call and get the right formation. I mean, it's nothing like it, man. That's so awesome. You always hand the ball to the ref after a touch. Have you ever had an excessive celebration penalty in your career? No, no, I never had it. I spiked it one time a couple of years ago,

just because I just wanted to see what it felt like, didn't feel right at all. But I've never got any penalties. I've never got any penalties. I've gotten penalties for like crackbacks and blindside shots and stuff like that, but never a celebration. The only wide reason. receiver maybe ever.

Not getting in excesses. So, I mean, you always, Calvin Johnson never wasn't really all that celebratory. Andre Johnson. Guys in my ear, we took like a little small hiatus from a lot of celebration, you know, the elite guys. Now you got like the choreographed dances and now it's getting into like dancing with the stars.

You know what I like it though? It's fun. It's entertaining. I mean, it brings the fans, it gives them something to talk about. And I like the creativity, man. It's cool. I just don't have the rhythm. or the style to do some of the stuff that they do.

So that's why you didn't go on dancing with the stars. Not because you're focused on you didn't want to get out there. I have not danced since my high school prom, man. Yeah. That's incredible. I got two level legs. So you always hand the ball to the ref. You ever keep any of the balls?

Yeah. So I would keep every 10. Like if I reach touchdown 50 or 60 or 70 or 8, you know, like I just keep that ball. You know, so I have a trophy case. Look. I don't have anything up in my house. I have all my stuff. storage. No, if you came to my house, you would never know what I did.

Really? That's when you know you score a lot of tubs when you only keep one of every 10. We just do it in 10 increments. No, I mean, I just don't believe in having a bunch of stuff up in the house. Tell me about, because you have 121 receiving touchdown. You have one passing touchdown. Who was that too? That was the David Johnson. It was two years ago. Byron left for choose the offensive coordinator for Tampa Bay Buccaneers drew up a drew the play up. I can throw it pretty good. Like, I got a strong arm, and we've been working on it for a couple weeks,

and he finally called it up and dropped it in there for him. What's that moment like that? Oh, God, I can't believe they're calling this player right now. You've got to love that. It gives you a much better appreciation for how hard the quarterback position is, you know, because there's a lot of big guys, and they're moving real quickly in your direction, and, you know, that's not always fun.

You know, to be able to stand there with some composure and deliver an accurate throw on time. It's not easy. Did you play any other positions in high school? was always a whiteout. I played quarterback early, and I played free safety as well. So you were both sides throughout high school? Yeah.

You were just recruited as a whiteout because I was ready. But you're too good of an athlete, not to play. I had a couple scholarships. A lot of schools actually recruited me to play defense, you know, like Penn State and Georgia and a lot of Nebraska, a lot of schools recruited me to play on the defense side. Yeah, well, we're very glad that chose to play. Tough position. I'm happy as well.

Exactly. All right. Let's get into the emergency nine. Yeah, this is a little E9, just nine quick, Questions kind of random get to know you a little bit better we do it with everybody just a little Larry time here okay you want to lead it sure yeah we do ask this to everybody movie made about the life of Larry Fitzgerald pick any actor deader alive who's gonna play you gotta go with Denzel man I got to go to Zill you can have to fight Gary Woodland for him yeah Gary

William picked Denzel for him too I'll be interesting that'll be tough we'll offer him both to Denzel and see which one he picks I'll be tough Denzel's I had Ivers Al before you who's a Yeah. Mine was kind of a sad one, but I think y'all kind of have the same smile and everything with Chadwick Bozeman. Yeah. Yeah, I like, I like his way. He was awesome, awesome, awesome entertainer. Your movie actually might have a chance to get made.

Yes. I don't know if Gary Woodland movie's going to get made anytime. Gary's going to have to win a few more U.S. Outs. You got to do some more shit. But, all right, next one. You're part owner of the Phoenix Suns, so you can probably actually make this happen. You suit up for the Sun's next game. You get to play as many minutes as you want.

Give me your stat line. People say, people say you could. I can shoot it. I can shoot it pretty good, but there's no chance I can compete with those guys. I mean, that's it. That's the second play there. A couple buckets, you know, just cherry pick, like buy MCA ball and saying down. I don't.

Maybe, maybe two points, maybe. Maybe two. You gotta think. Too humble. No, I'm just being honest, like, because I played pickup with Devon and those guys before. Their level of conditioning is out of this world. You know, if you haven't been running up and down that court and understand, like, what your legs feel like.

after about 10 times. I mean, your legs were like jello. And to be able to jump and be able to shoot it and be able to do it against elite defenders. I'm talking about 6'4-7, 6-8-wingspan, like McHale Bridges, that you couldn't, even if you got around them, you can't get the ball in the hoop.

I mean, it's just a different level. It would be like, you know, somebody randomly just come out and catching a pass on Patrick Pitt. It's just not going to happen or trying to block JJ. I mean, anybody who's elite at what they do, there's a reason why they are that level.

They're so big. You got seven-footers running point guard. Oh, yeah. It's crazy. Different. Slees thinks he could score. I'll probably get 20 and 10, but, you know, I don't know about you. There's not a chance in hell you would get sick.

You're right. You're right. All right, next one. All right, you've been in the NFL for 17 years. If at any moment you could pick any quarterback that you've played with or against to be the quarterback of Arizona Cardinals, who would it be? Hmm. History.

I mean, Joe Montana was the coolest, most collected player ever in history. I mean, you look at him in the most difficult Super Bowl experiences, and that guy looked like he's literally smoking a cigarette on the side of the road. I mean, like the chillest most calm guy ever. I mean, he would have to want to play with him. I mean, he'd make you feel that much more at ease when you look in his eyes.

I thought you would have said Drew Breeze, because I've heard you. I love Drew. I love Drew. I love Drew. you know, Joe, I mean, the Super Bowls, and just the unbelievable. times he's had in those big games, you know, always kind of resonate with me. You might have 200.

I thought you'd pick, I thought you for sure pick Derek Anderson. I had a good time with D.A. Me and D.A., me and D.A. connected quite often, actually. He's the best. He'll throw you the rock, too, whenever you want it. All right, next one. I assume you've met a lot or most of the people in the world that you would like to meet, but if you could spend one day with one celebrity who you have yet to meet,

who would you want to spend it with? I've yet to meet. He's met everyone. Is there anyone? A thinker. It's a tough question when you know everyone. That's a good point. I guess you could say if you met somebody

that you just loved it and wanted to spend another day with them if you met everybody. So now as I get older, it's like about the experiences. So like if I could, like Dr. King, you know, Nelson Mandela, somebody who's like laid it on the line

and done something that really changes, change humanity. That's more so my speed now. Yeah, that's a powerful one. Because if you, like, just thinking about God, Golf is like the best four-hour interview you can ever have. I mean, you get to spend four hours talking about any and everything you want in a very relaxed atmosphere.

So, you know, like if I could spend time with somebody, that's what I would do, pick somebody that I was going to grow and learn from. Very, very good answer. All right, next question. And I mean this. You're the nicest guy I've ever met in my life. No doubt about it. But I've heard you have been fined by the NFL, which shocked me. Mm-hmm.

How many times? probably five times probably okay I didn't know it was that many so now it's going to be a problem but there was one ridiculous one Larry tight enough which one the socks yeah they don't do that as often as they used to but they used to find the heck out of us tell us about that because I was shocked when I heard this

so the uniform etiquette is your sock has to be halfway midpoint between your knee and your ankle and so if it's any lower or any higher they would find you $5,000 for for their infractions And you would be amazed how many guys will get this fine every week. It's a fair socks. But it was just, they wanted you to look just like the mannequin. They wanted you to look exactly the way they wanted it.

Now, they don't stress as much as they used to on it. Five grand for my socks being long. Can you try to fight it at all? Yeah, you could fight it. But if you were a repeat offender, you weren't getting out of it. God, are you worried that's a little bit of a black eye and your reputation as a classy guy getting fined like that? No, no.

Sock violation. I could call a fame might consider that. I try to. I try to keep the classy, man. I try to keep the classy. You do a pretty good job. They'll probably let the sock thing slide. I got a feeling.

All right. I think you have two, but correct me if I'm wrong, but which hole in one is more special for you? Your first one out at Whisper Rock or the one you made with President Obama at Seminole? So each one was special in his own regard. The thing that made my first one so special was I was with my father. And my dad's been playing golf for over 40 years. Never had a whole in one.

So I skanked the six iron. Like literally, it might have. got off the ground about this high. Yeah. And it was a back, right pin, as you guys know, on seven, that's not an easy pin to get to. And it kind of like rode the contour on the hill and just kind of, I lost it, I didn't see where it went.

And then we got up there and it was in the hole and my dad, you know, kind of regurgently goes, son, congratulations. Like, I've been playing six months and I made my first. He's never, he never made one. And so he was happy for me, but he was like, I wouldn't the fuck did he do that. Six months. And I haven't made one.

So that was cool to be able to do it with him. And then my buddy Andre was there. And so to be able to experience it with those two. And then, you know, doing it with President Obama. Come on, man. Like, you can't. There's nobody you look up to and admire more. And so nervous going out there and playing with them.

And to be able to do that was, you know, a moment that you'll never forget. So they're both unique and special in their own. You got two, though, right? Total. I have three. Oh, you got three? Third's got to be a bit of a letdown after those first two. Yeah, I was playing at Mountain Shadows.

I don't know if you want to count it. Number 17, and I flew it right in the hole from like 180 yards. Beautiful. No pitch mark just dropped it. Hey, they all count. Yeah. They all count. All right, next question.

Who's the most famous person to ever big-time you? Think back to maybe a singer from Minnesota. A very short, small individual. I mean, Princeton really big-time me. He didn't really big-time me. He just wasn't really, really. that was just how he was though you know friendly as you thought he was good no he definitely wasn't as friendly

but I think the biggest thing is sometimes you don't want to you don't want to meet your heroes though because what you what you kind of expect and what the pedestal you put him on it's very hard to you know to live up to it heard you had the purple jacket rocking and everything yeah I mean so I went to after school program at the high school he attended I played basketball in the gym

and the whole thing and finally got to the league and he invited us out to his spot, you know, it's a great honor when you get invited to go to Paisley Park. You put some of these concerts, all the food and drinks, beautiful women, the whole nine. And I'm backstage. And, you know, he had this like cold purple thing that he, you know, if he was out, you know, you have to stand against the wall and not make eye contact. And I'm like, this is strange, you know. Yeah, that's weird stuff.

You know, and somebody introduced me and said, and I told him, hey, man, I go to this school program of Central. and they tell us stories about, you know, if I worked hard, I might be able to have success at you. And I looked at me and said, it's cool and kept it moving. You know what I mean? Like, and I thought I was that guy. You know, I had a couple of Provo, under my belt,

and now I was a Minneapolis native. And I realized that I, no, I really wasn't that guy. Very disappointing. So I don't know if he really big time because everybody else that was there, he kind of like, it was beneath him. That's just how he is? Yeah. If you got instructions before you go meet somebody,

chances are it's going to be a weird at her. Yeah. Yeah. Here's what you do. A Michael Jackson interaction was even more weird than that was the Beverly Wilshire years back. And I was there for the Espeys, and he was up in this big suite.

Me and a couple other guys that were brought up there. You know, he was like, hey, Michael, this is a couple guys playing the National Football League. And he was literally behind the curtains in the hotel, and he was just mesmerized by the texture of the fabric of the window coverings. And, you know, I was like, yeah, that's pretty bizarre. Mike, it's nice to meet you, man.

Yeah, it's nice. Good catching up. So, like, the two greatest musicians in my era, right, you know, a little different, you know. It's a little different. But I still love their music, got a lot of respect for what they were able to accomplish, you know, the greatest in history. 200 years from now, they'll still be talking about those guys. That's crazy. Yeah.

All right, Prince. See you later. Yeah, yeah. All right, next one. in college, this is a true or false, okay? In college,

did you ever turn off any of your quarterback's alarm clock so they would oversleep and possibly miss glass? 100% I did that. I did. My college roommate, Tyler Parker,

who was also a member at Whisperaq and my locker mate. You know, he's like the most type A personality you will ever meet. So anything that I can do to like mess up his, his flow,

I mean, he's got a, we're planning a member of guest next week. I cannot tell you how many times he's asked me. you know, hey, does it matter what service we use? Can we use twirl? Do you want to go hurts?

Like, Todd, I don't care. Just get a car, all right? Just get the car. And you want me to drive? It doesn't matter, Tyler. It doesn't matter who drives the car. You know, is your flight getting at 630 or 640? Doesn't matter.

This beat here when I get there. You know, like, I'm not detail-oriented to any of that stuff. And so anytime I can mess the schedule up, I'm doing it, you know. I bet you drove it crazy in college. Oh, man, I used to kill him, man. You said you used to snatch his car too in the morning and take it. So you have to wake up and make no car.

Take his car and turn his alarm clock off. I got another story. I got to tell you guys off, off air, you know. It was great, man. We had some good times in school. Yeah, he's like the Monday socks. These are my Tuesday socks. And if they get flip-flop, the week's done.

Oh, man. Then he wouldn't talk to me for like, you know, a couple days after that. He still told to you, though. Of course. Yeah, he's not crazy now. All right, number nine. We mentioned earlier you won the Pebble Beach Pro M twice with Kevin Strillman. But did you really abandon him for six holes in the middle of the tournament round?

Yes, I did. So before I got my invitation to play that year, you know, it's one of those things you kind of wait in the mail for. It's in just really cool invitation. I hadn't gotten it yet. And so the coyotes asked me if I would drop the puck. It was a Larry Fitzgerald, Bumblehead night. and playing against the Pittsburgh Penguins and got a chance to meet Malkin and Sidney Crosby

for the first time. And so I committed to it and I got the invitation and I told Mr. John say, look, appreciate this invitation, but I've already committed to dropping the puck. So I need to get back. So we're on number 12, right? Number 13, I hit my shot, played a hole, and I just duck off to the road, jump in the car,

take me to the airport, flying, drop the puck, jump back on the plane and get back. And Strills goes 200 on the way home, no, and for him, we make the cut, and then we got the dove on Sunday. Were you looking at your phone the whole way? The whole way. Kevin, just please don't make the phone.

The whole way. But he was sitting in so good that day, you know, and he's used to playing by himself when he's tournaments anyway, so I don't think it really changed anything for him. When you got back, just give a big hug. It's like, oh, yeah, because we stay together. Every time we go play, we all stay in the same house and, you know,

eat the meals and watch the basketball games. Hopefully there's a dude that they can lose. And so, you know, we all, we all, man, I love that dude. That's my guy. That's awesome. Well, Larry, this has been a blast, man. Thank you so much. Yeah, we thank you for the time, man.

I look forward to playing soon. I look forward to it as well. That's great. And that was Larry Fitzgerald on Golf Subpar. Sleeze, I mean, awesome for him to take the time. come down, sit down with us here for an hour. I had a blast with him. I know that, I mean, one of the, he's a golf freak, and it's so cool.

He gets so excited when he talks about golf. Yeah, it's funny. Like, you get, like, non-golfers talking about golf and they light up. You get golfers talking about non-golf stuff, and they light up. Clearly, Larry loves it. His game is nice. Like I said, we played with him. His handicap, he gets a lot of crap out for Pebble Beach, like in sandbagging and things like that.

It's not, his handicap is 100% legit. He could be really good. It's just at Pebble Beach, he never has to hit. that driver. He can hit that iron off of the tea all the time, and he's plenty long. He never gets in trouble, and that's why he and Streels are so tough to beat out there. Yeah, you know, they've won two Pebble Beach Pro Am titles, one of which he left for six holes because he's a man of his word. It was Larry Fitzgerald, Bobblehead Knight back in Phoenix at the hockey game. He had to go, leaves his man, Streels for Six holes, comes back, Streeles holds on, and they get the job done.

But it's so cool to talk to him. Obviously, first ballot Hall of Famer, one of the best wide receivers to ever play the game. Shocking to me, you know, he's a, grew up in Minnesota. He's a big deal up there, just like he is in Phoenix. Goes and meets one of the biggest musicians of all time. Prince gets big time to a little bit. Yeah, just when you think you're a big boy, you know, when you're one of the big deals up there, you ain't big enough for Prince. And then how about Michael Jackson too? Shockingly, Michael's doing some weird things the first time he met him. But yeah, yeah, the dude's pretty much been everywhere and seen everybody, but they don't get any better than him, man, they really don't. And you'll notice when we, when we asked some questions, we kind of gave

him some room to run there about his, about his career. Didn't close the door just yet. So I guess he said up into this point, but he didn't, he didn't close it. Yeah. So it'll be interesting to see if Larry is back on the football field or he'll be spending every day on the golf course because nobody plays more golf than Larry Fitzgerald. But really, really fun to sit down with him. And Slees, now it's time to get to our favorite part, the gambling, which the masters, it went okay for you. great, but I keep separating myself a little bit. Disappointing. Disappointing end. On Saturday afternoon before the rain delay, I was like, this leaderboard is ridiculous. This is it. It's going to be one of these guys. And then Adekke went this way. He went up the leaderboard

right after the rain delay. And my guy had a little tough stretch. So yeah, I'm sure he's not thrilled with his finish. But yeah, T-21 for Justin Thomas. And then you got bring in Jordan Speat right after the dub. And he backed it up with a little third. Yep. He played very, very growing that leads growing you know you in these major championships you got to finish high because the purses are so big producer mark how are the standings looking now yeah i don't think anyone caught a worse brick from the weather than justin thomas he ended up collecting still one hundred nineteen six hundred dollars so uh we have that and then colt you obviously had jordan spieth cool for six hundred six seven hundred thousand dollars so that brings the lead up to

$1,632,204. I like it. She need a win. Just need a win and a miss cut there. The bogey, bogey finished by our guy, JT, didn't quiet.

When you get up there in the top, that's a lot of money. But, you know what I mean? Short, long season coming up, so plenty of time. But I am in a Mayday situation. Every week you say it's a long season.

Eventually, it's going to be a short season. That's what you've got to keep telling yourself. You keep saying all the bullshit cliches over and over. Long season, one shot at a time. Stay in the moment. You just convince you. You just brainwash yourself into actually believe it. I just got to get this thing to the house.

But we're on to the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head, one of my favorite golf courses that I've ever played. It's so unique, so cool. Got a great feel, got Dustin Johnson in the field, Colin Moracawa, a lot of top players, you know, coming for more of a relaxing week after the Masters at Augusta National. And I have the honor, thanks to Jordan Speeith. And, you know, this place has some of the smallest greens on the PGA tour. It requires great ball striking. and in 2020, this guy finished tied for third.

He's one of my favorite guys to watch. He might lose his shit every once in a while, which I know we enjoy. But I'm going to go with... Respect. Turl Hatton this week. Turl. Love Turl. Love Turrell.

Very good spot for him. Hard to find a better iron player. All right. Going to need Turl to have a bit of a bad week for the kid here. All right, I've been debating on my pick between two guys. Tell you who I was debating. And then I'll tell you who I took. I got Kevin Kisner on the one.

hand over yonder. I got Daniel Berger on the other hand over yonder both good picks in my opinion. However, I'm going to go with Kevin Kisner. All right. And he's coming off a miscut at Augusta, shot plus five. I'm not sweating that. He's going back to a place much better suited to his game than Augusta National. Straight driver, great putter. He's got a playoff loss here to Jim Furrick. Finish top 11 and three of his last seven starts here. So you go horses for courses. Maybe he's a little fresh after taking the weekend off from Augusta, go down to Hilton Head. He's South Carolina boy, go get it done. Give me some

chicken, move me up this thing and get it a little tighter. That's the goal. I love that you picked him. Okay, is the pick submitted producer Mark? Is it official now? Actually, I was just joking about that based on this next information I'm about to get. Nope, pump fake. I need to know if the pick is locked in. Is he

pending, hurting an injury or withdrawal? Zero injured. He is blinded. I said it. I said it. Pending injury or withdrawal. What's the inside scoop? He had a rough week at Augusta National. He's had the same putter for a very long time. He's said to me and many others, he would leave his wife before he leaves that putter. And Friday, after the round, the putter got broken in two.

So might have a new wand in the bag this week. Bad news for the wife, too. But Kevin Kisner is going to be making a putter switch, I'm guessing, because that one, I saw a picture of it. And it was snapped beautifully. But good luck to you this week. Kevin Kissner. That's all right. Those things go stale sometimes.

You got to put them on the bench for a little bit. I get that. Bring him some new meat, you know what I mean? Let them know they're not invincible. It's not, I mean, it's not ideal news if you really think about it. But I'm still okay with it. Just go do what you do, Kev. Come on.

All right. Well, before we get to next week's episode, Sleeze, we've got to tell everybody, thank you so much for our merch debuted last week during the Masters. Y'all loved it, obviously. Sold a ton of them. You got another one on right there, the Bertie Juice, with our little birdie that likes to get amongst it. Make sure you go to that golf.com pro shop,

pick up some swag. We've got a lot of cool stuff and more coming on the way. And next week's Lee's, we got not a rival. He's our friend, but he also does a podcast. You're probably very, very familiar with him. He's Riggs from Barstools for play. He sits down and gets amongst it with us.

Yeah, I'd say, friend of me, you know, friends, we're in the same arena, but friend of me, there's a mutual respect. We go tit for tat. both men of the law. A little always sunny reference there. It was cool, man. Clearly, we all know about foreplay and barstool sports and stuff,

but kind of get in the background on how he got into it and all that stuff. It was fun sitting down with him and getting to know him a little better. Yep, you're not going to want to miss it. But that's going to do it for us. We'll talk to you on next week's golf subpar.