Subpar - Rory McIlroy talks Europe’s strategy for the Ryder Cup, his role in the PGA Tour vs. LIV saga

Episode Date: September 12, 2023

On this week's episode of GOLF's Subpar, 4-time major champion Rory McIlroy joins former PGA Tour pro Colt Knost and jicky jack legend Drew Stoltz for an exclusive interview. The 7-time member of Team Europe talks their strategy heading into Marco Simone, how his preparation for major championships has changed over the years and if he regrets stepping up as the face of the PGA Tour in their battle with LIV Golf. -- Thanks to Ralph Lauren, the Official Outfitter of the United States Ryder Cup team and of GOLF's Subpar.  The RLX Golf collection is available in select Ralph Lauren stores, exclusive private clubs, and resorts, and online at RalphLauren.com. https://www.ralphlauren.com/brands-golf?&utm_source=OtherPartners&utm_medium=GolfSubparPodcastRLSponsorship_GolfSubpar_PodcastPlacement_2023_GolfSubparPodcastRLSponsorship -- Thanks to Subpar's newest sponsor Golf Pride. Subpar listeners can now go to GolfPride.com and use code SUBPAR10 to get $10 off when you buy 13 or more swing grips. That’s code SUBPAR10 at GolfPride.com. For $10 off 13 or more grips.

Hello world. Welcome back to golf subpar with Colt Nost and Drew Stoltz. We are just two weeks away from the start of the Rider Cup over in Rome at Marco Samoiti. And boy, do we ever have a massive guest for you today? I cannot wait to get to that. But before we do, we've actually had some guys. Team USA just took a trip over to Rome. Nine of the 12 guys made a trip. Zandar Shaflade, Patrick Cantlay, and Jordan Speath were not able to make the trip.

But the other nine went over, played a couple of rounds. I've talked to some of the guys that were in. involved said pretty much all of them. I think the common theme is this course is wild. The elevation changes are nuts. The rough is apparently ridiculously nasty, like pitch out rough. They said, we're going to have to have a lot of volunteers over there to help find the golf balls if you do miss the fairway. But man, the more and more I hear about this place, the more excited I am to get over to Rome. Yeah. And, you know, the Europeans got a lot of attention for what they did over in Paris, grow the rough up, shrink the fairways. They hit irons off the keys. We hit drivers.

We don't know how it played out. And that's kind of the narrative is like the European are shorter and more accurate, we're longer and more crooked. Well, if you actually look at it, like statistically, this year, the teams, if you break it down from top to bottom, they're actually slightly longer than we are and also slightly less accurate. I mean, it's basically like a toss-up. It's by a very, very marginal amount, but like that's not really the narrative anymore. So if they want to shrink it all up and things like that, it's pretty much heads up off the tee. But that's exactly what I heard from the guys that were over there is just like it doesn't feel that much like a what you think of when you think of European golf.

Yeah, the more American style. The elevation changes and stuff, that's pretty rare over there. Yeah, the walk is apparently brutal. So that'll be something to see like, you know, how much do you can serve energy for these guys? Because playing 36 multiple days in a row could be exhausting for some of the guys. But it's going to be a lot of fun, man. I can't wait. You know, I saw some pictures from the team over there. They were looking incredible in their RLX gear, getting ready for the Ryder Cup. I can't wait to see all of them in their uniforms here in a couple weeks. That's right. It is coming up soon. And as you know, the RLX golf collection draws inspiration from the traditional aesthetic of polo,

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Look good. I'm hyped for it. play good America let's go just two weeks away I can't wait but you know we didn't have any golf this week there's some DP World Tour stuff LPGA stuff but for us it's all about football it is officially back Texas may or may not be back be in the back haven't heard that in a while like what I saw it's bold sorry Justin Thomas they absolutely just dominated the crimson tide that was fun to watch Quinn youer played fantastic Texas defense is good college football is in the swing of things very, very excited for that. Except this week it sucks.

There's no two ranked teams are playing each other. There's no, there's nothing, like virtually nothing. What are we doing? That's good. How do you not every week have a massive game? College game day in Boulder for Colorado, Colorado State. Colorado State, not the strongest of opponents. Also, Fox Big Noon is there as well.

So I think they're just going to follow Dion around for a while until he loses. But there's no monsters. There's a few decent ones, but there's no like top 10 matchups or anything. that but we will still have some bets that we'll fire on well you're hot bud week one if i am two and oh one of the greasiest covers of all time in the in the oregon texas tech game that was so grease return for a touchdown of 40 seconds left to cover beautiful good things happen to good people that's what i like to say absolutely but we'll get to some picks later on i am two and oh to start the season um but the nfl is back my dallas cowboys sorry producer mike absolutely bitch slapped the new york

Our producer's name is Mark. Oh, God. For the record, we've been doing this for quite some time, and it's Mark. I'll introduce you after the show. Perfect. You know, it's like Stephen A. Smith. You know, he got called Skip the other day. It happens.

We have a producer Mike on our serious X-M show. Producer Mark, you got bitch slapped. Sorry about it. 160 million for that quarterback, Daniel Jones. It's a bad one to be asking for a refund. Bad week for expensive quarterbacks. Joe Burrow looked like he'd never played in the rain before. I was like, why is Deshawn Watson?

He seems to be able to throw it. they seemed to be able to catch it. Burrow couldn't even get one to spin. That was strange. And adding to an already shitty start to the football season for me after T.C.'s lost to the muffalo's. The Broncos look exactly the same as last year. Yeah, the mufflers.

The Colorado muffs. Yeah, you like that? Yeah, the muffs. It actually look pretty good. But Broncos look the exact same. Oh, can you score no points but still hang around the entire game? Give yourself a little bit of a hope and then lose on a game-winning drive or not get a stop.

Yeah, I sure can. We did it. Oh, and we missed an extra point, which cost us the game. I know it sucks. Y'all lost, but I did like the onside kick to start the season. Love that. Just have a little balls. Like, let's at least throw a weight around if we're going to suck.

I don't, I'm not convinced we're going to suck. We're going to be better. They looked better, but that was just like a microcosm of the entire last season. Do nothing offensively. Still be there, have a chance. I don't know, man. You lost some raiders. They're not supposed to be very good.

They're not supposed to be very good. That's why that's supposed to be one we should win. But more importantly, the Cowboys won 40 to nothing. and Micah Parsons, just in case y'all are going up against the Cowboys, maybe try blocking him. You should fight. You should fight him after Canello. Wow, I love him.

Yeah, but just in case. Just to see what he's all about. I got to meet him at Vegas and Delilah's when we were there for the 8 AM thing. He was hanging around. Did you size him up a little bit? I was like, yeah, I probably couldn't block you either. You're different. Yeah, Sontail's like, uh,

Cowboys' defense is filthy, massive game this week. Got Aaron Rogers coming to Jerry World, looking to just dominate New York. Both New York teams right out of the gate. So can't wait. Good news is football is back. This is also perfect for you because like now, especially after week one, you're in the position where like now the expectations are high. Of course they are.

Super Bowl or nothing and just setting yourself up. I had nothing. You're vulnerable. I had nothing. I just wanted to see how they came out week one and then judge them from there. I was very quiet during the offseason during training camp. Now I'm very excited. You're right.

I could be let down. But good news is because the Cowboys dominated the Giants, we got a new guest on subpar. we're going to have Jerry Ferreira, aka Turtle from Entourage, joining the show very soon. We had a little bet. And like I said, 40 to nothing, Jerry, can't wait to have you on the show. Can't wait for Jerry. One of the greatest shows of all time. And maybe he and our producer Mike could just chop it up.

Mike, Marther Saras, gold jacket and green jacket. When we beat you that bad, we just call you whatever you want. Fair enough. All right. Well, we have a massive guest this week, and we don't mess his name up. He's the one, the only, four-time major champion. making a seventh appearance of the Ryder Cup. Rory McElroy is finally on subpar.

It's been a long time coming. How about just seven Ryder Cups? No big deal. Probably not slowing down for the foreseeable future. But it's fun to get it. Like, we've had some U.S. guys. We've got to talk to Zach Johnson about it. Like, let's get a little European perspective.

You know what I mean? We like that. So, dude, I just, the more I hear it from both sides, more I think this is just going to be a battle. Like, this is going to be close. It's going to be a lot of fun. and this episode is fantastic. Cannot wait for you all to hear it.

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I'm like, oh my God. I'm a golf pride. How do you miss it with these things? I'm a golf pride tour of Velvet guy. That's what I am with a reminder. Oh, you're a reminder? I'm a reminder and an extra wrap. I used to do reminders and then it would panic me when certain people,

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we're very excited to tell you that subpar has officially moved to its very own brand new YouTube page. Make sure to go subscribe at golf underscore subpar on YouTube and check out this week's full video interview with Roy McRoy. Once again, like, subscribe, and set alerts to the new subpar YouTube channel because that is where all the new episodes will be from now on. and we'll start taking you outside of the podcast studio with us too.

See you there. All right, here he is the one, the only. Roy McElroy on subpar. All right, ladies and gents, what a treat we have in store for today. It would take way too long to do a complete resume here in the intro. So let's just say we have a future Hall of Famer, one of the most talented dudes to ever lace them up on a golf course, and we'll be making his seventh Ryder Cup appearance for Team Europe soon.

We are thrilled to have him. Rory McElroy joins. Is how we doing, Roars? All good. Thanks for having me on. I'm glad we get to finally do this. Well, why do we just set this straight real quick? What has took so long to get you on subpar?

Here we go. The hard-hitting questions first. I don't know. I feel like there's been a few podcasts that I've went on before that I've said some things that have either landed me in hot water and knowing that you're asking the questions, Colt. I felt like I got to be pretty I got to be pretty careful with what I say on here. But no, you know, I look, hey, I trust you. We walk the fairways every week when you're doing your stuff for CBS. And yeah, I'm a big fan of the show. I've listened to a lot of them.

And I just thought it was time for me to come on and sort of chat it up with you too. Well, it works out perfect because the Ryder Cup is just a few weeks away. Like Slee said, you're making your seventh appearance. So your episode is going to come out. And then the next week is Jordan Spieth. And then it'll be the Ryder Cup. So I'm going to go ahead and let you go right now. Do you want to go ahead and deliver a message,

set the tone with Jordan that we can relate to him when he comes on? It's actually funny. So another podcast that I'm a big fan of, which is the shotgun start. Andy Johnson just sent me a couple of items that they just got logoed up. And one of his bits is about George. and being just the guy, and I have a just the guy hat. And I was maybe going to wear that, but that's, I feel like that's a little too disrespectful to Jordan.

He's got too good of a resume for me to do that to him. But he is, look, he is a stalwart of the American team. I think the American team have really turned a corner the last few years. I think the cadence of them playing Presidents' Cup, Rider Cup, President's Cup, Rider Cup, they've got a really good continuity at the minute. but they haven't won in Europe in 30 years. So, you know, the odds are, you know, they are still the favorites. If you look at the bookies.

But at the same time, I'm feeling good about our team. I'm feeling much better about our team than I was maybe, say, eight months ago. So I think we're in a really good spot. Yeah, Vegas feels the exact same way you do. Like you mentioned, that line keeps shrinking and shrinking. But let's just get straight into the Ryder Cup stuff. America obviously announced their captain's picks recently. Anything surprising out of those picks for you?

I don't think so. I thought the whole J.T. thing was completely... I felt the conversation around it was completely unjustified because, in my opinion, being a European and knowing that I have to face some of these guys, honestly, there's other guys on that team that I'd rather face than JT. So knowing that as a European, to me, it was a no-brainer. Even though he's not had the best year and he struggled for form, JT is still one of the first guys you put down on that team sheet for the US. I thought it was a no-brainer.

And then the other picks were, yeah, I mean, you look at, you know, the other one that was probably a little, I don't want to say contentious, but maybe debated was Sam Burns. but you look at how Sam does in terms of he won the match play this year. He putts so well. And we all know at the end of the day, the Ryder Cup comes down to probably who holds the most putts. So I thought the picks were... Look, there's going to be a couple of guys that feel hard done by, especially Kagan and the year that he put together.

But it's a really, really strong US team. And if I were Zach, I'd be. I'd be really happy with the guys that I've got. Yeah, I thought JT just got absolutely crucified. And it wasn't fair because you look at his record, I used Ian Poulter as an example for your team. Like the last four times he's played the Rider Cup, he's been a captain's pick.

And not one time, as anyone said, that's a terrible pick. You shouldn't go with Ian Poulter. Like, there's certain guys, the Ryder Cup just brings out the best in them. And I think JT's one of those guys. Yeah, and I think comparing JT to Im Polter, does JT a little bit of a disservice in terms of their CDs and their careers

and everything. But to me, it's more like, JT, if you're going to compare him to someone on the European team over the years is probably Sergio, just in terms of that fire and that passion and obviously the resume that he has as an individual as well. But yeah, to me, the whole time,

I thought JT was a no-brainer. I mean, I totally expected him to be on the team. When we've had a couple of the American guys that are going to be playing in Rome on the team, we just had Zach Johnson on, recently talking to him. Talk us about the European side. Like, how much does Luke Donald seek out your opinion? You're one of the pillars of that team, you know, going back, you know, this is your seventh one. But how much has he taken your opinion, the opinion of the other automatic qualifiers

when it comes to making his picks? Yeah, I mean, a little bit. I, you know, look was, we live on the same street in Jupiter. He was over at my house two days ago and we had a coffee and we chatted about it. So a little bit, he hasn't, he certainly hasn't leaned on me a lot. I think he, he feels like he's got it under control. We've got a great backroom team, especially with Eduardo Mol and Ari, doing all the stats in the analytics and him being a vice captain as well.

They're going to let the numbers speak for themselves, but obviously there's that little bit of team chemistry and trying to create a little bit of continuity that we've had over the years, especially the European team is very much in transition at the minute with a lot of the guys that, you know, I was just thinking, I was speaking with my wife a couple nights ago, and I was saying,

it's going to be my seventh rider cup, but my first rider cup, where Sergio Polter, Westwood, or GMAC aren't either on the team or vice captains or are some way involved. So it's a bit of a transition for us, but it being a home rider cup, I think it's great to introduce, like, you know, there's a lot of it be it about, like, the rookies on our team, but I'd much. rather introduce them to the Ryder Cup at home in Italy rather than two years time in Bethpage Black, where it's obviously going to be a really hostile environment for us and that's going to be difficult.

So, you know, if I'm sort of looking into looks crystal ball, which I'm not, I mean, I certainly don't have any influence over the picks, but I think it would be prudent that would be a good idea to go with youth and especially at a home writer cup. I just think that we've got a really good core of seven or eight guys that are experienced. And then, you know, roll the dice a little bit with some of these younger guys. Yeah, I think you're on a great spot. I mean, obviously your top guys are playing really well right now, Victor Hovlin on the run.

He's on John Rombed yourself. But you look at Ludwig Eberg, who I think is the guy that should be on that team, just a young stud. My buddy actually in June gave me five to one odds that he wouldn't make the team, because I was all about Ludwig. And then he got paired together with Luke Donald the next week in Detroit, which worked out perfect for me. But have you had a chance to spend any time with him? And what are your thoughts on his game?

You know, I haven't. I haven't got to play with him yet. I mean, my longest conversation with Lug Biggs probably being like five minutes on the fitness trailer during the Canadian Open. But everyone that I've spoken to that's played with him says he's an absolute stud. He drives the shit out of the golf ball, apparently. and just some of the highlights that I've seen of him and how he you know he's a pretty you know bigish guy with longish levers but his swing looks very much under control and it just seems like every single time the driver comes out of the same window at the same ball speed and

yeah I mean you look at his numbers off the tee and you look at the way uh you look at the way the um the course is going to be set up in Rome uh I it's very hard for me to sit here and not think that, you know, he's going to be, if not on the team, then very heavily considered to be on the team. I don't want to influence things in any way. And as I said, I'm not anything to do with the selection process. But if we think that Ludwig is going to be on the European Rider Cup team for the next 15 to 20 years, you know, I feel like now would be the perfect time to introduce him.

Yeah, I believe I saw a step most likely from Justin Ray. on Twitter that said since the Canadian open he's number one in the world strokes gained off the teeth. And when you mentioned the setup in Rome, talk to us a little bit though about that setup in Rome. What are you guys? I mean, you're kind of known for making the courses favor, you know, what the Europeans do well

and take away what the Americans do well, shrink the fairways, grow up the rough. Are you expecting the same in Rome? Absolutely. I mean, I think you have a home course advantage for a reason. And, you know, I've felt this for a while now, but I think one of the biggest accomplishments in the game of golf right now is is a team winning an

away rider cup. You know, it hasn't happened since 2012. And I just think you see, I just think you're going to see this pattern of, you know, the teams are going to do everything they can to, you know, to set themselves up for success. So if you look at what the Europeans do well, compared to what the Americans do well, and these things are so analytics driven. now is, you know, we, you know, for the most part, we drive the ball grade. If you look at Rambo myself, Victor, you put Ludwig in there. And then you look at, you know, just if you, if you break it down in terms of the parts of the game, you know, we want to get wedges and short irons out of the Americans' hands.

We know that that's what they're really good at. So if we can make this a driving and sort of mid-iron to long-iron and putting contest, we feel like that's where we have the best. opportunity to win. All right. Before we get back to Roy McRoy, I want to tell you about a new partnership with Rad Golf. If you're a single-digit handicapper, a pro, a weekend hack, whatever, this company is

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Use code subpar for 15% off. Have some fun with Radgolf. Let's get back to Roy McElroy. You've played now 26 matches in the Ryder Cup. How are the nerves on that first tee compared to what they were your rookie year? Still the same. Probably more because I actually know how much it means not. You know, as a rookie, you're going in there.

And for me, anyway, I was probably a little naive to the whole thing. a little bit oblivious to how much it meant to everyone else. So as the years have went on, I probably got more nervous and more, as I've taken on a little bit more of a leadership role within the team, you know, I feel a responsibility that week to step up and do my thing and win points for the team. And, you know, I know that I'm someone that, you know,

the rest of the team look to and, you know, I take that very seriously. That's cool to hear you say. Like it means even more now than it did. when you came out as a rookie. And like you mentioned, you're going to have some rookies now. I mean, you are the team leader, one of the team leaders, at least for team Europe. What do you tell the rookies to try to get them ready that are going to be coming into this for the first time, even if it is on home soil?

So for me, it's remember, I think the thing is you certainly don't have to do anything different. Remember the golf that got you on the team. You know, the reason that you're on this team is because of the golf that you've played throughout the past 18 months. And whatever, you know, the one thing that I think we've all done so well as a European team is we understand that, you know, we're all 12 individuals coming together. And we still need to be treated like 12 individuals because what works for me to get prepared for a golf tournament mightn't work for John Ram.

And what works for John Ram mightn't work for Victor Hovlin. So yes, you're going to have some team sessions and you're going to have to, you know, do some stuff together. But for the rookies, I would say, you know, whatever you do to get prepared for any given week on the PGA tour or a major championship or whatever it is, just do that. You know, that's whatever makes you feel the most comfortable on Friday morning that you're ready to play, just do that. Don't feel like you have to do anything different. Don't feel like you have to do anything that don't feel bad if you want to take some time away and get some time on your own or get some time with your family if that's what you're used to on any given week. because that's still very important.

And if that puts you in the right comfort zone and the right frame of mind to play, then that's what you have to do. Yeah, absolutely. But you've been involved in some incredible matches throughout your time. I think back to the, obviously the singles match with Patrick Reed at Hazeltine.

You had a good one with Justin Thomas in Paris. The Medina, when you were paired with Ian Poulter, and it looked like his eyes were going to pop out of his head when he was making it from him. When you look back over all your matches, is there one that sticks out as the most memorable? probably that one with Pultz it was a so we were down

10 4 Saturday afternoon session at Medina and we were Polts and I were either all square one down I birdied the 13th the par 3 to sort of get us going and then

Polts just took over and it was it was amazing to see I mean it was it was incredible I was I just stood there I didn't make a contribution for the last five holes, but just the way he played and the zone that he got into and the puts that he was hauling, it was absolutely incredible. And that, that turned our fortunes around. Like, we went from 10, 4 to 10 6 on Saturday night. And we felt like we went into that singles

almost leading. Like, we were still four points back. We were 10. But you, when, if someone had walked into that European locker room on that Saturday evening, you would have thought we'd won the Ryder Cup. We were that excited. We were that. Just those two points. I feel like that meant so much to us. And then that just gives us the platform to go and obviously do what we did on the Sunday. Yeah. And then the way he can just, he could just flip that switch. It seemed like at events like that. And since we're talking about Poulter, you know, he, Westwood's and Sergio G. Mack, those guys you mentioned, obviously not going to be there this year for the first time in a long time. Does that change the role that you take on in terms of leadership in the team room and

things like that going into this year? Yeah, I think so. I think there's going to have to be some players that step up and fill the roles that Ports and Sergio and Westlut and those guys filled for so long. You know, as I said, it's going to be weird for me to walk into the team room and not see any of those guys there. But as I said, this is a team on transition and we have to look to the future and try to build for the future. And it's probably up to guys like, you know, we still have Justin Rose in there. that's, but it is amazing, you know, I'm the third oldest on the European team. You know, that's, that's crazy to me. But it is going to be got, you know, Rosie myself.

You know, this is only, you know, Rambo's still pretty young, but, you know, he's one of the best players in the world. And I think there's a lot of guys that look to him. So there's going to be some guys that are going to have to, you know, step into the roles that, you know, some of those European stalwarts of the last 20 years have fulfilled. And everyone's got different leadership roles, right? I spoke to look about this the other day. If called upon, I will certainly voice my opinion and say things and whatever, but to me, I've always tried to lead by example. So if that means, as one of the oldest and one of the,

if that means that I'm the first one on the range in the morning, or I'm the first one in the team bus, or I'm the, you know, just, you know, if people are looking to me to see what I'm doing and this is my seventh rider cup, you know, I just want to, I just want them to know that I'm just as excited and just as up for this as I wasn't in my first. So just trying to do little things like that that, you know,

make the rookies realize that, you know, I'm, I'm just as excited and just as nervous and feeling all the emotions just like they are. That's awesome to hear. I love that. Will we be seeing a hatless Roy McElroy at the Rider Cup this year? Yeah. I think so. I think my best rider,

I think my best Rider Cups have been hotless. Probably. Yeah. You know, it's going to be, you know, it's a little different. It depends. I think room's going to be nice weather, get a pretty short haircut, get a little bit of tan on the forehead.

I think that's a good plan. Okay, I like it. Well, let's switch gears here a little bit. Obviously, we're really excited for the Ryder Cup, but want to talk to some major championship golf here. You're a four-time major winner. Obviously, it's been a little bit, but you've been knocking on the door as of late seven

of your last eight majors. You finished in the top eight. Are you frustrated with how it's been going, or are you excited because you feel like you're really close? A little bit of both. I think I'm frustrated that I haven't gotten the job done at least once, but I'm excited with how I'm performing in the majors. I mean, just from a purely strokes gain perspective, if you just look at the breakdown of how I've played the majors over the last couple of years, you know, I'm like a shot to a shot and a half better per round in the majors than I was during like a four or five year period between 2016 and 2020.

So I'm doing the right things. And the one thing, you know, I've had success on the PJ tour and I feel like I've basically won everything there is to win outside of a major over the past 10 years. But what I've really wanted to do is try to build my game so that it excels at the toughest tests. And that's, you know, I felt like I, you know, sort of like 2018, 2019, 2020, I got into this. comfort zone where my game excelled at like run-of-the-mill PGA tour venues. And I, when I went back to those venues, like I really got into my comfort zone. But that's not, you know, if you want to, you know, win the biggest championships and you want to, you know, you have to, you have to work on your game and design it in a way that excels at the toughest test. So the way I played LACC this year or

even like if you look at my results in the US Open over the last few years I mean it's it's you know I missed the cut in the US Open 2016 2017 2018 and then from 2019 until this year I haven't finished outside of the top 10 so just trying to do things and that's it's not it's it's course management it's making better decisions it's being better prepared it's it's relishing the fact that major championships bring you outside of your comfort zone And it's not like the same as a PGA tour event week in, week out. I think that's the thing that I'm excited about that I've sort of cracked the code on a little bit. But yeah, I'd love to have finished off either St. Andrews or LACC or Tulsa or, you know, there's, you know, probably three or four instances over the last couple of years that I feel like I, you know, I should have, you know, closed the door and got that fifth major. But I'm going to keep trying. As I said at LACC, I'll go through 100 Sundays like that to get my hands on another one.

So it's not for lack of trying. It's not for lack of practice. And the more I keep putting myself in that position sooner or later it's going to happen. Yeah. And you seem to be in that position on Sunday virtually every single major championship. And in the media, I know, especially, it's basically win majors or bust for you any given year. That's how they evaluate the years, right? You're one of the few guys that's in that position, right?

So that's somewhat a privilege as well. But like, is that how you grade your year? Because, I mean, you win multiple times. You've got 10 consecutive top tens, you know, which is very, very difficult to do. Are you, are you grade yourself strictly on major championship wins? Or do you do it differently? I don't. I don't because if I, if I graded myself strictly on major championship wins, I'd be miserable for the last decade.

You know, so I'm not. You know, I've, I've played great golf. I, you know, I, I, I, the consistency. level that I've shown over the last few years, I think, is a step above. Again, just looking purely at the numbers, I've had my best two seasons of my career last year and this year, just in terms of strokes gained. You know, I've, I just feel like, and it's hard to say this to people, because people won't understand and they might think that I'm sort of clutching at a straw here, but I am

a better player and a more well-rounded player now than I was when I had, when I won my fourth major back in 2014. like I am. You just have to look at the numbers. You have to look at the consistency. I am a better player. It's just that that hasn't translated into winning major championships. And that's a matter of playing your best at the right time.

And then if I go back to the two tournaments that I'm probably the most frustrated about, which would be the old course last year and LACC this year, I just didn't put my foot on the pedal enough on the. on Sunday and you know, hold a pot or hit a shot or just do something to just get some momentum and go with it. So like I was stuck in neutral a little bit for those two final rounds and just never was able to get it out of like second gear. And that's the difference.

And again, that's experience. And that's just making sure that the more times you put yourself in that position, you learn from it and you move on and you just try to be better the next time. I love you saying you're a more well-rounded player right now. That's really cool to hear. And I get it. And I also tell people like, you know, Colin Markow won two majors very quickly.

And he was like, oh, he's going to win 10 majors. I'm like, yeah, he might. He might only win two as well because where professional golf is right now, it's so deep.

There are so many good players. So you can go out there and play your best. I mean, just look at Eastlake last week. I mean, Sandra Shelfley played fantastic. He just got absolutely steamrolled by Victor Hovlin. And that can happen in major championships.

Yeah, it can. Like, look at Brian Hartman at the, Open. You know, I was really, I was really pleased with my, my week at the Open. I shot, you know, I improved my score every day. I hung in there without having my best stuff. And, you know, I finished, I finished T6 and no one's going to remember the T6 I had at Hoyleck in 2023, but I was happy with my week. Some, some weeks guys just play better. And that's, that's golf. And I just, sometimes I don't feel like the public understands that. They think, you know, I got to go out there and try to beat 155 other guys.

It's not as if you just go out there and, you know, you win major championships. You know, it's you, there's 155 other guys that are willing to put in the work just like you are and willing to do anything they can to make themselves the best that they can be. And cold, as you said, it's, it's the, it's the deepest that I've ever, you know, I've played, you know, fortunate enough to have a pretty long career up until this point. And, you know, I started playing on the PJ tour in 2009. and, you know, so 14, 15 years later. And I feel like the level just improves every year.

These young guys are so ready to come out of college and just win. You look at like a Ludwig or you look at what Scottie's done over the last couple of years. And it's just going to continue to be that way. And that's, it's exciting. It's great for the game. I think the game is in a really good place. You've got all these young players coming through that are great. But yeah, it's not easy to win.

And it's a, you know, I think having a, you know, two, three, four win season right now is, is probably more difficult than it was, you know, 10 years ago. Yeah, Colt and I talk about this on radio. We've talked about on this show all the time, just where the modern game is right now. So just even scaling back to 10 years ago, your last major championship win, do you feel like showing up next year at Augusta? There are more guys in that field that have the potential to win that golf tournament than there did 10, 12, 13 years?

ago. Like there's more guys you got to worry about that could win that? Yeah, I think Augusta's a little different because of the invitation, the invitational nature, and you've got the arms and you've got the older guys. So you're probably always worried about the same number of people at Augusta. But I think when you go to the opens or the PGA, I think that's where there's more and more guys that are ready to step up and win. like no one was talking about Brian Harmon before he won the Open the Open Championship.

No one was really talking about Wyndham. Yes, Windham had a great win at Quail Hollow but I don't think Windham was one of the favourites to win at LACC. You look at what Brooks did it at O'Kill coming back from everything and, you know, it's, you know, any given week, any guy can turn it on

and have a great four days and walk away with the trophy. So it's and that's that I think for me, it's like my consistency level is so much that I will finish in the top 10, most likely more times than not, but it's elevating my game just to that next level to get to the point of, you know, I feel like a T7 at O'Kill this year for me was like the worst that I could do, but then winning it felt, you know, I felt like to go from a T7

at a major actually winning it is a massive step. And that's the, you know, that's the difference. Sticking on Augusta National for a second, obviously that's the one that you need for the Career Grand Slam. What's that week like for you? Is there extra pressure compared to the other majors, considering you haven't done it yet? Or is it just one that, you know, you haven't been able to win yet?

Yeah, I think there's a little bit of both. I think because it's sometimes because it's the one that I haven't won, the only thing I think about that week is winning it. and that's not that like as you know called that's not the that's not the way to approach a golf tournament right i mean i'm you know so if i looked at the way i approached lACC and it's you're dissecting a golf course and you're like okay well you know this is how i want to play the first three or four holes and then you know do you know you're you're just into the tournament you're into your process and you're into just figuring out a way to manage yourself around the golf course and i think something

times at Augusta, I'm too much of a leaderboard watcher too early. So, for example, this year, Brooks got off to that really hot start, and he was on the eighth green on Friday morning, and I was on the first green. And I think I was even par for the tournament, and Brooks had just already the eighth hole to go to 10 under for the tournament. So I'm like 10 shots back, and I'm already, like, feel like I need to chase, and I need to, like, do something. You know, so I think, And it's hard. You know what those leader boards are like at Augusta. They're those big, you know, you can't miss them.

They're everywhere. And I think sometimes at Augusta, I'm just a bit too much of the leaderboard watcher and seeing where I am in relation to the lead and where everyone else is. And I just feel at Augusta sometimes I get two results oriented too early, instead of just getting myself in the tournament, playing my way into contention, like I do it basically every other tournament, and then just going from there. So, yeah, there's probably, I probably get in my head a little bit too much. around there at times, but there's been other times where I've handled it okay and I've had good

results. But yeah, I feel there's a, there's a different hype to Augusta. There's a massive buildup. It's the first major of the year. You know, there's a lot of things that are just a little bit different to Augusta. And, you know, it's trying to manage all of those things at the start of the week as well. Yeah. And Roy, you talked about like, you know, everyone in golf, especially at the top, they're all trying to peak at the same time going into major championship week. That's when you want to be at your best. How is your prep leading into a major championship week changed from where it was maybe when you were a young kid fresh coming on tour to where it is now? And like, what do you do differently to try to be at your best for those weeks? Yeah. So I like to play my way into major

championships. I think the reason that I've played so well at the U.S. Open the last few years is the U.S. Open's always been my third event in a row. So the way that schedule was before next year, it was Memorial Canada and then the US Open. So I always love those two weeks. So like know where my game is. And I think as well, when you're playing a ton, you know what your tendencies are. Even if you're not playing your best,

you're going to manage your game better. You know, everything's just a little sharper. So I think from the start of my career to now, I've realized that to get the best out of myself or at least to be at a certain level of performance, I like playing my way into the major championship. So if you look at next year, it's sort of hard. I'll most likely play San Antonio before Augusta.

And then I love that Quill Hollows directly the week before Balhalla. You know, the Scottish Open into the Open's nice. And then I think it's Memorial into the US Open next year as well. So it's sort of it's, it's, I feel like that's the best way to, to approach major championships for myself. and it just means you're in pure playing mode. You're not grinding on the range on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. You know where your game is.

You know what you need to do. And you've had some pretty recent experience of hopefully getting into contention and sort of what your tendencies are under pressure. And you're just a little more in tune with what's going on, which I like. Well, the people in San Antonio are going to be very happy hearing that right there. You know, there's a lot. You know, golf's never been talked about more. And it's not all positive right now between the PGA tour, Liv, Piff, all that.

And as far as the players go, I mean, you've been the spokesman for them. I mean, you have put yourself out there. You've put a lot of time, a lot of effort, a lot of energy into this thing. If you could go back and do it all over again, would you still do it? Certain things I would do, absolutely, because I think, look, I think with Live coming along, that was a catalyst to some changes on the PJ tour. and I said this at the Tour Championship a little bit in a press conference, but the changes that were made at the PJ Tour that I got excited about was,

you know, like the designated event model or basically, like all I've really wanted to do is get all the best players in the world together to play more often. I think that's what golf needs. And yeah, this is like with, you know, you know, there is some great players over on Live that I wish I could see more often a play against more often. Brooks, Cam Smith, DJ, you know, whoever else. Obviously, Bryson's coming back into form. There's a few guys over there that you miss competing against.

Like, that sucks. And I don't like that the game's fractured. I think it's provided players on the PJ tour a little bit of leverage to get these changes that have happened. But I think now it's, you know, as much as, you know, what happened in June and, you know, this sort of this deal with PIF and PJ Tour and DP World Tour, you know, if it can be done the right way and everyone can sort of get together again and make the game less fractured, I, you know, I don't see how that's a, how that's a bad thing. I hate that Liv fractured the game so much. That was the thing to me that really piss me off. So hopefully we can all sort of figure it out. We can get back together and make the professional game just a bit more harmonious

so that we can all compete against each other more often instead of just the four times a year that we all get together at the major championships. Yes, it builds up majors and it makes them even more important than they already were. But to me, I feel like golf's in a really bad spot if the game's only relevant four times a year. It needs to be relevant more weeks a year than that. And if that means getting us all back together and playing against one another more often, I'm all for that. Yeah. And you've been front and center on the PJ tour side throughout this entire ordeal, which is a lot.

By the way, I've said before, I think you're doing certain guys' jobs for them almost. Like you're doing the speaking where I think other people should probably be up there. you're a player first, that's what you're supposed to do. But you took on that role. But there's no doubt that that takes a toll on you physically and mentally as well. Is there any way, like, looking back to quantify, just how much that affected you in both of those ways? Honestly, I think it energized me in some ways.

You know, it was a way for me to, you know, I channeled that energy into my golf. And I can't say that by doing it, I've played, I've played really well since, you know, since this has all been happening and in a way I wanted you know I wanted to play so well that I could prove to the guys that almost like to the guys that left there's still a shit ton of money to be made out here you know it yeah do you have to work harder to get it absolutely do you have to play better absolutely but you can still make a shit ton out here and I think that sort of energize me to almost prove a point um yeah I made 40 million dollars on the PJ tour last year like You cannot argue that players are underpaid.

You cannot argue that players are underpaid in the PJ tour when you can go out and earn that sort of money on the golf course. That's a decent year. Yeah. That's about what we make from the podcast. Well, good time. Maybe dust off the sticks, work on those injuries. Get back out there.

There's money to be had, but... Listen, I follow this man around way too much to realize I want no part of that at all. The way he drives the golf ball is a joke. And that actually sets up perfect for your man, Michael Block, who you played with at the PGA on Sunday. Oh, Blocking. Who said, if you drove the golf ball for him, he would be number one player in the world.

And then on our show, and this doesn't give him shit, this is just a funny statement, but he said, if he drove it for you, you'd be outside the top 100 in the official world golf rankings. Give me a little response to that.

I, what, no disrespect to Blocky. I, you know, he is a, he has an unbelievable short game. He does.

some of the up and downs he made it on that final day to kill. But I still think, I mean, yeah, like, does he, yeah, he struggles to get the 160 ball speed with the driver. And it's, you know, it's, yeah, like, would he struggle around, you know, most tour courses, absolutely. But I still think I'd be able to manage a way to get inside the top 100 in the world off his T-shots. But whether he would be number one, number one in the world, I find that hard to believe. But I would say, so there is a story. So this is something that people don't know.

And this is a funny story. And I think this is, this just speaks to how confident he is in the short game. But he missed it left on 18 on Sunday at Oak Hill. And the pin was tight left. And he was down in the crowd and it was a blind shot. And it was like, there's no way this guy is getting this thing up and down. Like, no way. And he hits the shot that lands in the red.

between the bunker and the green and trundles down to like six feet. And his caddy's still like, you know, trying to get through the crowd or whatever. So Michael comes up onto the green, marks his ball and gives his ball to hiring my caddy to clean for him. And Harry asked Blockie, said, is your short game usually this good? And he goes, no, it's usually better. I was debating whether to ask you that. He wanted to show. But I mean, like, but it's great. Like how much confidence is that? It's like, no, it's probably, it's usually better. Yeah.

But it's just, I mean, what a week for him. I mean, he certainly made the most of it after, but good for him. You know, he, you know, it's people are going to be excited to see him at Valhalla next year. And yeah, look, when you're when you're club pro and, you know, you, you know, I think as well. Like there was a people really bought into that story. And it was really cool. And it certainly added to, it added. to the PJ Championship this year.

It was a great story. It was cool to be a part of that whole and one and everything that went on as well. So look, has he made some statements afterwards that I probably disagree with? Absolutely. But again, whenever you're getting asked a million questions from a million different people,

it's so hard to not say something that, you know, geez, I've been, you know, I've certainly regretted regretted things that I've said are answers that I've given to questions. And I'm sure, you know, Blocky's probably feeling the same way at some point. But it still doesn't take anything away from like what a cool story in golf that that's been this year. Yeah, that scene up 18, I was with y'all's group was pretty ridiculous. And to get that ball up and down, unbelievable, especially with everything that was on the line. That was to get back. Unbelievable. Wasn't it?

He needed that. After watching it, I was like, go through all this and he's not going to get this up and down and he's not going to get in next year. And then he did. You did. Yeah. And on 17, on 17, he got it up and down from that cross bunker that was like 70 yards short of the green. Yeah. Yeah. He, he, you know, he hit it and everything. Yeah, it was just, it was, yeah, he didn't have a birdie that day, but he didn't have a whole one. No, it's normally better. Yeah, it's usually better. All right. Well, let's get into some fun stuff here. Let's get to the E9. we asked this to everybody and I don't think you're going to have an answer

because you're Roy Macaroid but you can trade lives with anyone for a day. Who would it be? Ooh. You're watching pretty sick. It's pretty good. Messy.

Messy. Yeah, that's good answer. Absolutely messy. I mean, he is just, he's killing it. I don't know. He didn't score the other night. I think he's starting to, he's losing it?

Is he losing it? Is he past this time? This is a sidebar question, though, Roy, because like messy being down there in South Florida, that's got to be awesome. awesome for you, but I know your big soccer guy. Do you have any American sports teams that you've like got having allegiance to now or that you follow or enjoy, you know, that you'll put on a

jersey for or whatever? Um, so all of my in-laws, uh, are from upstate New York, big bills fans. So that's sort of a, that's the, I guess my, my adopted NFL team. Do not jump through a table. I was about to say, dude. Bill's, Bill's, Bill's mafia, baby. Yeah, do not jump through a table. I enjoy walking with you. want your career to end because of that. No, my back's already as bad as it is. Yeah, how are you feeling, by the way? Last time I'm sorry.

Yeah, I'm good. I'm good. I'm good. I've had some good, yeah, good sessions, good, good, some good rehab, you know, exercises. I'm probably 95%. Yeah, I'm way better than I was at the Tour Championship. So, yeah, all good. Beautiful.

Beautiful. Good to hear it. All right. I'm very interested to hear this one from you because Colton, I will ask players, especially young players who are just getting on the tour, who's the one guy you watch on the range that you're just like, oh my God, wow, when they get out there.

And pretty much every single time, it's you. You're the answer, right? Like, you make people doubt their, you know, being on the PJ tour. They're like, I can't do that. All right. Now I'm going to ask you, outside of Tiger, give me one guy, can be current or previous,

whose game you look at and something just wowes you like, oh, my God, that's special. Michael Block. And Block, you can say Blockie's short game if you want. Blocky around the short game area. I would say, you can also say no one.

No, it's not no one. There's a lot of guys that I mean. You've seen Coltid hybrid? Colts hybrids up there. Yeah. Pretty good. Darts. 205.

Look at it. Blocky. Yeah. Battle. There's so many. I'm trying to think of like one that like has really stood out over the years that. I would say so I'd say the one that really like took my breath away was I played and this is this is going back and maybe it's because of where I was in my career and sort of where he was in his but I played the Dubai Desert Classic as an amateur in 2006 and I hit balls beside Henrik Stenson and he was hitting like eight irons seven irons whatever it was and it's almost like I could feel the strike of his ball. all in my feet.

Like it was, it was different, it was just different than I had, I had ever felt before or seen before. Um, so that was, that's one that sticks out of my mind. It's just like really,

really impressive. I think if we were to go to now and someone that like, I would turn around to, to watch on the range or, or to see it would probably, probably Rambo. Like I just, like how he compresses his iron.

and the speed that he can generate from such a short swing. You know, he's just, he's super impressive and, you know, just super like consistent. I don't really feel like he hits bad shots. You know, he just sort of, it's like shell and peas. It's really impressive to watch. Yeah, I don't hit many bad ones. There's no doubt about that. It's funny, Will Wilcox, he used to play on the tour for a little bit.

It's catting for Sung Jay now. And in Memphis, he walked over to me, he goes, what the hell are you and I ever thinking we can compete with these guys? And I'm like, it's a great point. It's a very great point. And I have accepted it. And I'm very happy. I don't know,

Cole. You know, whenever we played against each other in the Walker Cup, it was, you were. Yeah. Things changed, you were very good.

You were very good. You were very good. You got your Grove 23 hat on right now, where you practice down there in South Florida. Got a lot of tour guys. Michael Jordan, a lot of other athletes. Who's the easiest money at Grove,

Grove 23? I'm guessing it's not Michael. it's not Michael he gets too many shots and the course is set up too well for him uh it might be one of the it might be uh i play a lot of golf with shame larry he uh he just he just joined there a few weeks ago i'm gonna say Shane yeah sheen sheen sheen doesn't she doesn't get me that much when we're when we're at home I get friendly fire yeah friendly fire yeah friendly fire he can handle it beautiful just just getting just getting motivated for the Ryder Cup.

Yeah. Oh, there you go. Yes. I like that. All right, next one for me. Do you think it would have been a good strategic move if Zach Johnson had shocked the world and selected Philip Francis as one of his captain's picks? Philip Francis. About Philly?

My arch nemesis in junior golf. I always finish second to Philip Francis. I don't know. How is Phil's game right now? No clue. He doesn't play a whole lot. He made a shit done in Bitcoin. He's traveling the world.

He's seen he's got things figured out, but I run into him on occasion. He was texting with him yesterday. I was like, I'm going to throw you in here. Okay. See what Roy's react. Because he's like, you've said, I think he's like the one guy that growing up kind of had you. Yeah. He was a monster.

14-year-old Philip Francis would have a chance on the U.S. Rider County. That's funny. glad to know somebody has your number. All right, next one. On a scale of 1 to 10, how bad is the winning Ryder Cup hangover? It's probably a 9.

And I would say the only thing different is a losing Rider Cup hangover. That's probably a 10. Either way, we're going to be hungover. Either way, there's going to be drinks consumed on Sunday night. Absolutely. Yeah, the champagne hangover. probably the work thing over like weddings.

Stings the eyes. As a precaution, I don't want to tempt fate here, but I did ask the European, like the guys manage the team if we could get goggles this year if we do have to spray champagne because champagne in the eyes is no fun. It is no fun. And champagne's disgusting. I don't even like it. Pretty much every other sport does it. Except hockey. Colt, you're just not cultured enough. You just haven't, you know. You just need to, you're, your palette as refined. I like tequila and Coors Light. Coors Light in the eye.

Doesn't even hurt at all. Like my dad, you're like my dad. My dad loves Coors Light. Exactly. That's why we get along so well, among many other reasons. It's a smart dude. Good taste. Good taste.

You got to get a little creative with me here, Rory. Okay. But since you're going to Rome, got to ask a Rome-themed question. Give me one professional golfer you would be most afraid to face in the Coliseum as a gladiator. that is a good one one of the big boy Tony Fee now maybe yeah I had a couple tone would be a problem tone would be tone would be a problem

long levers I would say I don't know Rambo would be up there too yeah he's just a big big so he he we played, I remember we played a tour championship a couple years ago

and whatever reason I just asked Rambo I'm like, or yeah, maybe ask me he like what do you weigh? And I think at the time I was like, 165 and he just started laughing. I'm like, what, what's he goes, I'm 90 pounds heavier than you. I'm like, holy shit, no way.

So, um, yeah, Rambo's a, he's a, he's a, he's a, he's a big boy, big unit. And he's fiery. He could come out with that spanker mask. Yeah, he's, He's got a pretty excitable nervous system. He could get going very quick.

I'm going to go to two matches. I'm going to go to two matches throughout your career. I want to know out of these two guys, which one you wanted to punch in the face more. Okay, 2016 singles match Patrick Reed, 2007 Walker Cup Billy Horshaw. Billy Horshaw. I'm not saying something.

Yeah. You hated Billy Horshiel back then. Oh, I absolutely disappointed. buys him and we've actually become really close since, which is, which is great. But, um, yeah, that Billy and that 07, I think as well, it was like, he was, you know, we were all probably obnoxious at the time. But I think because I was at home as well and I, he was like pretty rude to the crowd at times too. And it was like, they're my people. It's like, I'm, you know, I'm going to beat his ass. But, um, we actually have forged a really good friendship since.

and Billy's a good dude. I like him a lot. That's awesome. I figured that was going to be the answer. That'd be a good battle. Yeah, it would be a post-dean battle? Billy was... Yeah, Billy's, geez, Billy's in good shit.

Billy's probably one of the golfers and best in their best ship. Like, he is a, he's a strong dude. Yeah, you guys are the same weight class? We could probably make that fight. Yeah, we're like Welter, Welterwitz, middle wits. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, could maybe catch weight if we need to. All right, my last one.

this is actually a real question because I think you, and we've asked this to other people before, but I think you may be the one dude possibly in golf that has the power to make this happen if you want. So in your expert opinion, would you prefer it if the Ryder Cup changed the format to set the matchups each day to mirror what they do at the President's Cup? Yes. You put one out, we match it. We put one out. You match it. You get big dogs against big dogs. Yay or nay for Ryder Cup. God, you say yes, please. No, I'm going to say nay. I like that. I like the surprise. I think there's a little more,

I think there's a little more strategy to it. I think there's a little more, well, if they, you know, they might put those guys out, whatever. And, you know, I just think there's a little more strategy to it. Oh, well. I just, I think,

I think the president's cup can get, I think it can get a little contrived that way. Oh, well, it'll never happen now, Colt. Our dreams are crushed. I know. I thought we had a chance. Again, I'm just, I'm just a player. I'm just a player.

I did hear that back in 2016, the U and Patrick Reed match was kind of set up a little bit. Confirm or deny? They might have known when I was going out, but not necessarily. I think at that point, everyone knew I was going out one, so it was more just whoever was going to go out, you know, whoever wanted to play me on that side. So I wouldn't say it was set up, but I think it's pretty, I don't think I've ever played outside of the top three in the order. so it's pretty, I tried to do it with Tiger in 2012. I told him, I said, I'm going out three.

I said, go out three. Like, I wanted, I wanted Tiger. Like, go out three. And they ended up hiding him at the back of the pack. But I, I, yeah. I don't know. We could have got that with the Presby's format. We could get that match.

I think it would be awesome. Yeah, it, it, look, from a, from a purely, like a product and entertainment standpoint, I get it. I understand. But I just think in terms of sort of trying to figure out what they're going to do and I don't know. Like I feel like I can sort of like I like so like Friday foursomes at the Ryder Cup this year, I would say I'm pretty sure Zander and Patrick are going to go off number one. Like that again, but that's, I'm sort of like trying to get into Zach's head and be like, okay, well, what's he going to do? do and who's he going to play in the forsooms?

Who's you going to play in the four balls? All that sort of stuff. So I think that's pretty cool to try to figure out. Yeah. I just feel like if there's any animosity, like it'd be fun to set that up. Because it builds more drama. Like a prize fight. Yeah.

Yeah. I agree. I think there's going to be, I think there's enough on the line and there's enough, you know. Yeah. Is it, you know, as you said, as you said to get like four heavywits, you know, battling each other is pretty cool. but I think the Rider Cup is there's enough drama in it anyway without having it to you know without having to try to set anything up I think I think there's enough going on

yeah I cannot wait for it to happen all right last one my opinion after his performance at Justin Thomas's wedding do you think Kevin Kisner will be a future contested on dancing with the stars um do you want to jump me to get Erica to come in here because all he was trying to do was dance with Erica. Her dance partner, Erica. I think she's going to say no. She would probably say no. Kiz, no, I think, well, I don't know.

I mean, the way he's played this year, dancing might be the future. Beautiful. Love that. I don't know if that was too close to the bone. Sorry, Kiz, but it was low hanging for it. No, he owns it. He's fine with it.

That's fantastic. He can handle it. He's tough. All right, Rory, well, as always, man, We appreciate you taking some time to join us. We'll be seeing you both over in Rome. Yes. Wow.

See you over there. I'm so excited. It's going to be such a great week. Yeah. Here's to you hoping you'll finish second. I knew that was coming, but I appreciate it. Nothing personal. Just business.

No, just business. I got it. All right. Thank you so much, I appreciate you, man. Thank you so much. Yeah, no. Thanks for having me on. This was awesome.

All right, that was Roy McEloye. joining us on subpar man it's been a long time coming so happy to sit down with him and it just works out perfect two weeks away from the rider cup over in rome you know at the start of the year these guys were massive underdogs now you look at the betting boards you're looking anywhere from minus 110 to minus 115 USA being the favorite but this is the leader of that team um he's had some unbelievable battles the battle in paris with j t hazel team with patrick ridge which by the way i love saying one of the best matches in history of rider cup going back to the Walker cup though who he wanted to punch more Billy Horshore, Patrick Creed.

Sorry, Billy. He loves you now, though. That's good news. Damn. Good on Patrick Reed, though. He gets asked that question. There's not many that go the other way. You know what I mean? It's good PR for P. Reed. Of course, we'll get a little fired up out there. And then the Michael Block comments to Harry on the 18th Green there Sunday at the PGA. Rather interesting, but it was a funny story. That was one. Listen, I love Michael Block. We've had him on the show here.

You know, things have been great for him. He has caught a few. He's got some strays. He's got some serious traits. And I debated because Rory told me that story about the short game and how he says it's usually better. He told me that story before. And I was like, I don't know if I want to bring it up at all. And then the fact that he brought it up was just fantastic. Yeah.

Like, I feel like Block, he's misworded a few things, especially like the Rory driving guy. I think if he'd go back in time, like that came out the wrong way. He was also doing interviews for the first time in his life, one after another. If you do six hours of interviews and don't say one stupid thing, then God bless you. But like, he had the best week of his life. Everything was happening for him. He's been a driving range pro type of guy giving lessons for his whole life. All of a sudden he has a spotlight on him.

Like, yeah, soak it up, dude. Milk it for all it's worth. But he has caught a few strays. But confident, dude, is your short game normally this good? No. It's usually better. Normally better, dude. But man, this ain't shit.

Roy McRoy is one of my favorites to walk with out there every week with CBS. I mean, the way he drives the ball, just absurd. He is going to be a force to be reckoned with over in Rome. You got to think that next, that fifth major title, hadn't won since 2014. It's got to be coming soon. And he's been knocking on the door. I think what I said, seven of those last eight majors, he's finished in the top eight. Dude, he contends every single week.

And that's why it's like, if you don't close out the vast majority of them, you're going to take some shit. And Roy's one of the few guys that's like every single week he teased it up. It's like he should win. There's not that many guys out there. But I think the best thing for him, man, like off the course is just kind of the, I guess it's like in flux right now with the PJ2 or the PIF. Like he's been, whether voluntarily voluntarily or involuntarily, the guy up there front and center. answering all the questions, which ain't his job, by the way. And if he wants to take that roll on, awesome. And he did it. But he was doing it week after week. The amount of just like extra energy

that takes. And then to also be like, I got to get ready for a golf tournament. I think this stuff all kind of like come into a simmer right now. Huge for Rory McRoy, because that's just a huge shoulder to or a huge burdened shoulder for for anybody. Yeah. Well, it's going to be interesting to see what happens, but just love sitting down with Rory. Best of luck to him and team Europe over at the Ryder Cup. Hope they finish second. Yeah, runner up's not bad, dude. All right, let's get to some gambling. Finally. All right, we got PJ Tours back,

Fortinette Championship. We're going to do, as usual, a favorite and a dark horse. This has been the Max Homa tournament the last couple of years, back-to-back champ. He is your pretty big favorite. I believe he's 7 to 1. Almost two times. J.T. at 12 to 1.

I'm going to go just a little farther down the board. I like this 18-1. We've been saying it for a couple years now. Keep saying it. This guy's going to win. It's just a matter. I mean, he's a California kid. I like it.

The golf course, I feel like it's one of those ones anyone can win on. Long, short, whatever, crooked. It does help it straight. It is pretty narrow, but these guys love this place. I'm going to go saw the gala, 18 to 1 and picking up his first PGA tour win. We just keep saying he's going to win soon. That way when it happens, like told you. Yeah.

We're on the front end of that one. Three years late, but it's fine. Yeah, obviously called another one. I'm going a little further down the board here because I think this thing's wide open, like you said. Max's way out in front and then it drops a lot. My favorite that I'm picking, 35 to 1. Okay, and it is none other than Bo Hostler, the Bo Show. I think the time's coming for Bo as well.

He worked his way into contention a number of times last year. He's worked hard on that golf swing. If you look at it from when he turned pro to where it is now, it's completely different. He's driving the ball way better, which was always his Achilles heel. He just couldn't drive it straight. He was one of the most crooked guys on the PJ Tour. That's gotten a lot better. I just think the time is coming with this field.

Why not Boe? So give me the Boe Show, 35 to 1. Best dress subpar guest of all time. All right, my Dark Horse, I played with him just a few days ago out of Whiskbrook. Game looks nice, as long as he doesn't change any freaking clubs before he gets there. I loved everything he had in the bag. He's one of the straightest hitters out there, one of the best iron players on tour. I think this place sets up perfect for him, and I love 55 to 1.

Give me Kenny, Chez Revy. It does set up perfect, doesn't it? I mean, it's perfect golf course for Chez Reefie. Did he miss a fairway? Not with the soft fairways. No chance. No chance. He never misses.

It was a boring 68 from all the way back. Yeah, it's just, there's nothing that can go wrong, really, with it. Just don't switch any gear. It's a problem. It's got to get away from those manufacturers. All right, a dark horse. Not too far off from where I picked my favorite. I'm coming in at 55 to 1.

Good golf course for this guy. My guy, homeless hubs, okay? We love him here on the show. If he drives it straight this week, his putter is phenomenal. Maybe you break out a little stinky pinky there at the end on a victory celebration. But it's, like I said, with boat. It's not the most stacked field these guys are going to see all year. I think you're going to see a bunch of guys up there at the top.

maybe fighting for the first BJ tour win. I think Hubs is very much a candidate for this. Went to school right down the road. San Jose State. Obviously comfortable up in NorCal. Give me homeless hubs, 55 to 1. My only concern is he's a little sensitive. I think mentally he's down a little bit because he's a Broncos fan.

He is down. And his Twitter did not look good yesterday. No, and he's right to be down. We've been waiting a long time to ride and we're still not riding. And he likes to drink wine, so I think that for what it's worth. That's true. I was talking to Joel Damon. I was like the other day he came by the house before we,

we did the little Rider Cup celebration for Max. I was like, dude, Napa's perfect for you. Yeah, I tend to have a little too much fun though that week. I'm like, yeah, that's fair. You got to factor that in. There's some dudes up there like bring the family, bring the wifies, do all this stuff. And it's not quite the same vibe as maybe a typical week on the PJ tour. But Hubs, he knows how, trust me, he can play in any sort of condition.

All right, I'm going to throw a football pick at you since I have gone two and oh to start the season here on the show. I'm going to stick with college football. Stay on it. And this is a massive spread. But this team is the best team in college football. The Georgia Bulldogs. They're 27.5 point favorites over South Carolina. The Cox suck.

So I think Georgia runs them out of the building. Give me the dogs. Even though I hated on them about their schedule. Give me the dogs minus 27 and a half. You just did a little wordplay there. Did you even know you did that? Was that totally accidental? Wow, it was crazy.

All right, you're going just monster favorites. You go to USC like minus 30. Something like that. You're not a big a favorite? They've been hitting. By the way, Gamecocks aren't that bad. Rattler is decent. They won some big games at the end of last year.

They were close against Carolina, but also Georgia's Georgia. I will never doubt the University of Georgia in anything as far as I'm on this earth. Okay? All right. I'm going to get hot. I got a greasy push last week. Okay? This week, I actually feel really, really good about this one because I think this team is undervalued based on their week one performance.

Give me the LSC Tigers. minus single digits 9.5 against Mississippi State. I know they laid an egg, especially in the second half against Florida State. In Starkville. I still think that they are a monster team. They're going to be a force to be reckoned with still in the SEC. Opening game, a lot of things can change in that time.

Only single digits against Mississippi State. I know it's at Mississippi State, but, dude, Mississippi State just needed OT to beat Arizona, who ain't it. So, LSU, I mean, if they can't, I would be shocked if they don't win this by double digits, which means they'll probably win in a squeaker because I'm not warm right now, but we're just warming up.

All right, we'll see what happens. Can't wait for some more football. By the way, the Cowboys won 40 to nothing over producer Mark's giants. That's right. I forgot. Sorry, Mike. Also, make sure you go pick you up some polo gear. Go to radgolf.com.

Use that code subpar for 15% off your purchase sitewide. And also, golfpride.com, $10 off, $13 or more grips. Swing it like Rory and McRoy. Or win you. All right, that's going to do it for us. We'll talk to you on next week's subpar.