Subpar - Subpar LIVE from the Ryder Cup with special guest Jimmy Walker

Episode Date: September 26, 2025

Subpar's Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz are joined by 2-time Ryder Cupper Jimmy Walker LIVE from T-Squared Social in New York City for a special Ryder Cup preview. --A HUGE thanks to our official sponsor Zone Nicotine who is the Presenting sponsor of this LIVE Ryder Cup Edition of Subpar. Warning: This product contains nicotine.  Nicotine is an additive chemical.  Underage sale prohibited.  Introducing Zone Nicotine Pouches - the perfect balance of unparalleled comfort - longer-lasting flavor - and nicotine that satisfies.  Whether you’re zoning in for an important putt or zoning out after a tough day at work, Zone gets you there faster and keeps you there longer.  Available in seven flavors and in six and nine milligram strengths.  Want zone pouches at a discount and mailed right to your door? Head to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Nicokick.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and enter code “SubPar20” at checkout for an additional 20% off.--This weekend’s dream slate, from the Cup to Ravens–Chiefs, deserves Fanatics Sportsbook, where you earn up to 10% FanCash back win or lose, get Fair Play injury protection, instant refunds, and level up with Fanatics ONE—because winning hits different here.Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER, CT call [phone], MA call (800)-327-5050, NY call (877) 8-HOPENY, MD visit mdgamblinghelp.org Not available in all states. Terms apply. See Fanatics Sportsbook app. #FanaticsSportsbookPartner

All right, all right, ladies and gentlemen, we're going to go ahead and get started here tonight. Thank you all very much for joining us for a very special golf subpar here at T-squared, brought to you by our good friends at Zone Nicotine. Before we get started, round of applause for the folks over at Zone. They are the best. The best. We've been lucky enough to be with them for a couple of years now, and we could not have a better partner. One last thing to get to before we start the show.

Everyone that got a raffle ticket on your way in, we're going to be making. in a drawing. We're going to be announcing the winner at the end of the interview. Two tickets to Saturday and Sunday at the Ryder Cup, along with this Team USA bag from our friends at Swag Golf as well. So stick around. Winners announced at the end of the interview. Thank you.

All right. Here we go. It is a pleasure to welcome six-time PGA tour winner and a two-time rider cuper Jimmy Walker here at the subbar. Jimmy, thank you so much for coming. Thanks for having me. You got it, man. Obviously, Rider Cup brings back a lot of good memories

You played back in 2014 and 16. You played across the pond. You played at home. You won one. You lost one. Let's start with going across the pond because everybody says winning and away rider cup. It's the most difficult thing in sports. Team Europe is trying to do that this week.

But what was it like for you and your first Rider Cup going overseas and competing? You know, so I didn't know any different. It was my first, obviously. And it was quite the experience flying over. I mean, we had a huge British Airways jet. The whole team flew together. I mean, it was pretty wild. I'd never done anything like that.

It was on a grand scale that I have yet to do again. But it was incredible. We stayed at Glen Eagles, and I didn't really know what to expect. I signed a lot of autographs, a lot of flags, a lot of bags. But the whole experience was incredible. You've played over there. the crowds are different. The fans are different.

They just, they applaud golf shots differently than they do here. Ian Poulter says their fans are much more respectful than ours over here. That's a very Ian Poulter thing to say. But God, it was, it was great. Like, I felt like they were very respectful of us and, you know, would applaud shots. But, I mean, you definitely felt like you were in, you know, enemy territory the whole time. But, you know, what an experience. I mean, Fowler and I played all four matches together.

I mean, it was quite the battle. I remember at the end of Saturday, I mean, I was fried. Like, absolutely fried because every match up until that point went to 18, and they were all halves. You know, playing against Rory twice and Poulter and Kimer and Bjorn and Sergio. I mean, it was, it was unbelievable. And you played with Ricky Fowler all the team matches, I believe, in that, over at Glen Eagles. How was that partnership developed?

Was that a thing where you go to the captain say, hey, and I play really well together? Did they tell you, this is who you're going to play with, but you guys stuck together all four matches? Well, that year was interesting. I was real hot. I'd won a bunch of tournaments, and I ended up bumping into Watson, I think, at L.A. and we chatted for a sec and I don't know if he took a liking to me because I'd never really talked to him before

and I ended up playing nine holes with him at the Masters we had a foursome making the turn and he was standing up there on 10 at Augusta he's like can I join you guys? I was like can we play five? Is that kosher? Like I don't know. Sure.

He won three of them. Yeah, sure. So he plays. And we talk a lot through the day, and he just was like at the end of the round, he said, he's like, you're going to be one of my go-to guys. And I'm like, a rookie? You know, I don't. Yeah, that was going to be my question.

Like, you played all five matches. Did you have any clue until it was go time, like, that you were actually going to be playing five matches out there? He literally told me when we walked off 18 that he's like, be prepared to play five. So that's what he told me And I don't know what he was telling Ricky But we ended up talking And I said, you know, Ricky and I get along really well I think our games complement each other

And I guess he took it to heart And that's what ended up happening And I mean throughout your career You won six times on the PJ tour A major championship But the first tee shot that you hit over there I don't know who teed off on the first O If it was you or Ricky

Or if you have a story from that Because we've talked to so many guys that have played And the opening T shot stories That we've heard are some of the best You know, we had kind of figured out the holes that we liked and didn't like. And I think I might have biased myself towards the second hole. You didn't want that first one. It really suits my eye.

And I remember Ricky saying, like, is it driver, three would? And he's like, it's driver. I need the biggest face in the bag to hit this shot. And, I mean, I ended up feeling it later that day. I mean, it's something. You know, you walk from the putting green through this tunnel, and there's just the music's gone. The European crowd is going nuts.

They're singing all their songs and doing the practice wing yippies. I mean, it is a circus. Well, so obviously the Ryder Cup starts tomorrow here. What are the guys, what's going through their mind tonight, is they try to get some sleep before what's going to be most likely, like a 4 a.m. wake-up call. But were you able to sleep at all at night before your first? Rider Cup. I honestly think I did get some actually pretty good sleep. I mean, we had great dinners. We

had amazing food. And I mean, honestly, you're pretty mentally exhausted because you get there on Monday. And I mean, it's a long week leading up. And I honestly don't remember having a problem going to bed. I mean, it was like, yes, let's get to bed. Yeah, I said like the rain today, which allowed a lot of guys to just chill if they wanted to and have the opening ceremonies yesterday. and then get today just to do whatever they wanted. I thought that might be a benefit for the players. There's a lot of stuff that you have to do that you don't. I mean, you do get to see it on TV,

but there's a lot of stuff that goes on outside of the golf. So you are moving, running, gunning. You've got outfit changes. And, you know, there's a lot going on that, you know, the public doesn't see that you are a part of. And, I mean, they've got it on a time clock, and they are moving you along through the whole week. Yeah, and the home team dominates, which we've been talking about at nauseam for the last few weeks.

Being that you played at home and away, explain the difference if you can for people that will never experience. The difference you feel Tienoff over there versus what you feel when you come over here like you did at Hazel team. Yeah, I mean, I think being here, you definitely felt like, yeah, I'm home. Like, I can feel the crowd. I can feel everything that's going on. Everything is positive our way. I mean, you see that and, you know, why is home advantage so important? I mean, you see it in all the other sports.

You play all year for, you know, home field advantage. So, I mean, it is a big deal. We just got to figure out how to go do it over there. I want to talk about the setup a little bit because, obviously, the home captain has a lot of say in the setup. If you look at Hazeltine, there was not much rough. There was a lot of pins towards the center of the green, I would say. It was a birdie fest. And then we're here at Beth Page Black this week.

And I know you haven't been out there, but we all know Beth Page. You played major championships there. You've played FedEx Cup playoff events there. Like, Beth Page is a big, bad beast. Right? I mean, it's warning on that first team. Now this week, we got like Bob Hope Lainth Rough out there

and very soft greens. And they're already saying, Harris English said if there was a 72-hole stroke play event, 18 to 20 under par would win. Whoa, I did not hear that. I mean, that is a far-car. eye from anything that I've ever played there. I played the O2 open, the Tiger one, and it was the thickest. It wasn't so much how long it was. It was literally like the blades per square

inch of grass that were on the ground. I mean, it was incredibly thick. The thickest rough I've ever seen. And I can just remember how tough it was. And then we played a playoff event there and it wasn't as bad or as tough. I found it extremely difficult. I think I did too. Well, maybe not. I played all right, I think. But it's a, you know, it's kind of a,

I think it's kind of a bummer that it's not going to show its team. We're getting soft. The game's getting soft. I agree with you, though, and I think a lot of the fans, I mean, I know birdies are fun, but all these fans are like, I slept in my car and, of course, was set up harder than this. Yeah, I'm not privy to the inside intel of what's going on,

but, I mean, as a fan, as a golfer, you know Bethpage's being, you know, one of the tougher tests of golf. And, you know, to hear Harris say that, I hope it doesn't come back in Biden. They should take the warning sign down and put welcome. Yeah, I mean, Kegan gets to determine what we're going to do with the golf course, so clearly he wanted that. But the pairings came out earlier today for tomorrow's morning matches. I want to get your take on this because, like, if they go out,

there's a few that we expected, a few surprises, but if they go out and play great tomorrow, Kegan's going to look like a genius. and if they play bad, they're going to second guess everything he did. Do you think the captain gets too much credit and a win and too much blame and a loss, or do you think it's about right? It sure seems like it anymore today that the captain really gets hammered and or praise for what's going on.

In the end, it is about the guys going out and getting it done and playing well. But hard to say. I mean, it sure seems like there's a lot on those two guys, you know, riding, especially with as divided as it is and who's won where and who hasn't won, you know, we haven't won across. We haven't won over there since 93. Yeah. That's a long time, Jimmy.

A very long time ago. And you were involved over in 2014 with Tom Watson as the captain, as you mentioned. He was 62 years old, the second oldest captain, I believe. But Phil Nicholson had some very interesting words in the press conference afterwards. He wasn't too thrilled with how Tom ran the team. What were your thoughts on how he did run the team? and Phil's comments. I think, you know, Tom brought in

a bunch of vice captains that had an incredible amount of experience. But I think, you know, you could say that they were very far removed from the guys playing the game today and did that translate. I don't know. They were great all week.

But, you know, what Phil said, I think we all know that Phil likes to, he speaks his mind and puts it out there. He says some dumb stuff occasionally, Jimmy, you can say it, okay? This is a fun, friendly show. You can say what you want.

It was interesting. I know a lot of stuff got out. You know, things that happened in our team room. From what I read, I mean, I was there. It was all true. And, you know, he kind of tried to take over the captaincy the last night. And he was very positive about how he did it. And Phil was.

But, you know, it felt weird. it sat weird with I think a lot of guys you know I can't speak for everybody but it felt funny I remember watching that press conference afterwards I could feel the awkwardness like through the TV like it just doesn't feel like it felt like kind of a divided team but I think that's been part of the catalyst for the U.S. side getting younger you look at Keegan Bradley's out there you look at the vice captains with Gary Woodland Brands Nettaker I mean that's part of the reason I think we've made more of a push to the youth and captains that are actually you know familiar with friends with the guys are going to be happening.

Yeah, I mean, in the end, it is one of the biggest things in golf there is. It's an exhibition, and we're all out there to win for our country. And I think it's great that they're thinking outside the box now and getting different people to come in and look at it, and maybe putting a fresh face on it. You know, I wish Keegan the best. I mean, I'm sure it's a giant job. It's an enormous job. And like I said, I think they get too much credit, too much.

much blame with a few exceptions, but take the Tom Watson captaincy, then you come back over 2016. Hazeltine, you win with Davis Love the 3rd. Compare and contrast, maybe those two captainsies and how they were different. Well, so the 16 Rider Cup team was supposed to be the new look. You know, everybody has a say, everybody's talking. You had the Rider Cup Task Force. Yeah, we have a Task Force. Well, it was really interesting. You know, I don't feel like I was privy to any of the information about the task force that was going on. And I was a late addition to the team. I was playing decent and then win the PGA and get in.

But, you know, we were just talking about it. You know, when those first pairings came out, or no, I was talking to somebody else. First pairing came out. It was Zach Johnson and I playing alternate shot. And I'm going, I don't, I went over to Zach. I was like, are you serious? He goes, I don't know, man. So there's a total shock.

Yeah. You guys didn't play practice rounds together or anything? No. So it was a total, total shock. And I remember we were getting written off. Brandel's a buddy, and he wrote us off that night. I think a lot of people did. And, you know, we went out and won our first match.

Yeah. And we tried to do it again the next day. It took it to 18 and lost. But, I mean, I was showing my kids highlights the other night on YouTube. because I was watching the coverage, and they were like, you played it, and I was like, yeah, I played two. And I was like, let's watch some of it. And they were like, this is unbelievable.

Like, it's so big. Well, obviously the crowd is a huge part of this event, and we know how the great people of New York can be. You mentioned you played the U.S. Open in O2, a couple of FedEx Cup playoff events. What do you expect from the crowd out at Bethpage this week? I'd tell you, one of the things that I really remember about that O2 Open was Sergio, just getting absolutely roasted because he had the waggles going.

And, I mean, the crowd was relentless on him. And you can expect that again this week, no doubt. Do you think it's, like, do they go too far sometimes, in your opinion? Or is it just part of the event? Like, you're allowed to needle, obviously, but sometimes they get a little personal. I think they do get a little too rowdy. I mean, I think everybody needs to remember that it is golf.

and there is, you know, the honor and tradition of the game, but, you know, this is, they've let it blow up to this proportion. I mean, it's huge. I feel like all the talk, ever since this was even announced, is it's going to be the most chaotic Rider Cup. It's going to be the most raucous crowd. And now these fans think they have to live up to it. Like if they don't, it's going to be a major letdown.

Yeah, you're probably right. It would be interesting to see the difference on the, days Trump's not there. See if it's a little calmer. I think they're trying to price out of a lot of it with the cost of tickets and the alcohol out there too, which you can only do so much. I've told you this, though. I've told you that in New York, by the way.

I've told you. You can price these guys out, but you know what? Rich people like to get drunk, too. No question about it. No question. I still can't believe you didn't know you were playing with Zach Johnson until they announced it. Did you have any say?

No. Because you were an auto qualifier both times. Did you have any say in either of them in terms of the captain's picks? I think at Hazeltine, like it went all the way down to 20 and Ryan Moore. I do remember getting asked who I thought should play. But outside of that, I was in the dark, honestly. It's changed so much. It seems like it.

I don't know. Yeah. Well, most importantly, I want to know about the after parties at each one. Obviously, you lost over at Glen Eagles, but you're still going to party. And then winning the Ryder Cup, you all had to absolutely send it. We did pretty good. The first, I think we probably sent it more after the loss than the win. Drink those sorrows away.

Yeah. Yeah. I remember going over and seeing the other team room and I kind of snuck in the door and watched what they were doing and seeing how that went over it. I did it both, actually. And it was pretty cool. I mean, I was like, I wanted to experience everything. I didn't know if I was going to ever get to do it again, you know.

It's a, you know. I feel like everyone always migrates towards the European team room. They just know how to party a little better. They came over to our room pretty heavy in 14. I remember topless, one-arm push-up, competitions. Now we're talking.

Now we're talking. Yeah. I mean, I'll give you a couple of guesses who it was, but yeah, it got pretty wild. I mean, there was a lot of drinking and partying. It was fun. I don't know how much you talk about that stuff. Don't incriminate yourself.

Don't incriminate yourself. Well, these people out here are the only ones going to hear it. If you want anything, edit it out, we can. So just go ahead and just bury everyone. Who do you think? Who is the best partier on the European side, in a win or loss? This week? No, when you were there.

Best European partner? Partier. Who went to hardest in like that? Win or lost? They're just getting after it. I think it was Sergio. Really? Sergio let loose a little. He was always winning.

I think he sent it pretty good that night. I like that. I mean, a lot of people did. Well, as you should, I mean, to make the Ryder Cup mean so much, it's something, I mean, we all dream about winning tournaments, winning major championships, but to be on a Ryder Cup team is truly something special. When you can go out there with 11 of your friends and go battle it out against another country, You deserve to celebrate win or lose at the end. You got to let loose a little bit.

Yeah. It's a stressful week, man. I mean, at the end, it's like... If I ask you right now, when the Ryder Cup's brought up and you hear that first memory that comes to mind from your two experiences, what is it? Oh, it's funny.

I mean, the first thing that popped into my head is when Fowler and I are walking to the first tee and you walk through this tunnel and it's got all these pictures and the inside of the tunnel is lined and he busts his phone out and starts playing like a walk-up song for us. And it was radioactive Imagine Dragons. That's the first thing that popped into my head.

Ricky just pulls out his phone. He pulls his phone out and just, I mean, he's always got it on him. That'll get you hype. But I was like, all right, bro, let's go. I like him. Yeah, it was a cool moment. I mean, that was one of the, that was my answer. The first thing that popped into my head.

That's awesome, man. I mean, you got to play two. That's really cool. Major champion, six times. I'm winner. A hell of a career. All right. Well, the Ryder Cup is almost here. We're going to have bets all week long. And for my folks in the audience who bet this weekend's a dream slate, the Cup, six top 25 college matchups, Ravens Chiefs, Eagles, Bucks, Packers, Cowboys, and the best place to bet it all fanatic sportsbook. Here's why, when you bet, win or lose, you get up to 10%

back in fan cash. That fan cash, you can use it on jerseys, tickets, or even bet with it. Plus, they've got fair play injury protection. If you're playing, goes down in the first half of a pro football game, your bets covered. That's better than Fandul, and they refund instantly, something Draft Kings can't match. And here's the kicker. When you bet with Fanatics, you're also leveling up a Fanatics 1 account. That means status points and access to exclusive cultural events all year long. I'm telling you, winning hits different at Fanatic Sportsbook. Must be 21 years or older. Gambling problem, call 1-800-Gambler. Connecticut call 888-78-9-77-77. Massachusetts call 800-3-3-27-50.

New York, call 8778-8-8-Hop-N-Y. Maryland visit MDGamblinghelp.org. Not available in all states. Terms apply. See Fanatic Sportsbook Out. And let's look ahead to tomorrow. Okay, I'm just going to rattle off the matches for you. And we're all going to give a little pick on who he thinks is going to take care of business.

But leading it off, we got Bryson DeChambo and Justin Thomas going up against Terrell Hatton and John Rom. If you like to gamble a little bit, J.T. and Bryson are plus 120. Hatton and ROM are plus 110. A tie is plus 600 with our friends over at Fanatic Sportsbook. I saw that and I think I got to give us that point. All right. So Jimmy's going with JT and Bryson. Tough point.

I think if they don't go out and play good, it's going to set a tone. I don't know. We'll get to the second one, but the first two matches are very important because we're throwing our big guns out there. And if you go down 02, it's going to be stressed. But Slees, who you're going with in that first one?

I got, well, for the day, my best bet. That was not the question. Just standby on this. For the day, in foursomes, excuse me, foursomes only. Two-two ties plus 260. When I looked at these matches, when they first come out, I said they're going to win two and I think we're going to win two.

That was the one. I think that's a lean towards Europe for me. I actually have the same thing. And actually, you can see right there it says tie. That does say tie. All right. Match number two, we got Russell Henley. That's so weak.

You're going to call a tie? Well, it's been 4-0 last time. I mean, it sounds pretty good for us. Ty sounds like a win in that match. Hey, it's points on the board. Yeah. We're just trying to get something. We were down 7-1 after day-war.

I'm familiar with ties. All right. We got Russell Henley and the number one player in the world, Scotty Sheffler, at minus 140 against Matt Fitzpatrick and Ludwig Oberg, who are plus 180. Man, I've... I think that one's going to be, I think it's going to be tight. Russell's a rookie.

He's playing really well. But he's the third-ranked player in the world. I understand that. But this does stuff to people. And I'm not saying it's going to do it to him. He's got my old boy, Andy Sanders on the back. Yeah, he does. He's been there.

He knows what he's doing. He knows what to say, what not to say. So that's a tough one. You can go tie. Yeah, plus $600. There's an option. I just said tie was for losers. Yeah, you did.

I'm going to go tie. Well, you bet 100. You went 600 at Fanatics. It sounds like a win to me. I think this one is going to be the biggest lopside match of the day. I think Schaeffler is going to go out there and handle his business with Russell Henley. Matt Fitzpatrick's 1 in 7 in his Rider Cup career. Ludwig has not been the same since he won in San Diego earlier this year.

I think this is a pretty easy win for the Americans. Yeah, 18-0, especially alternate shot. I mean, anything can happen in that. virtually any match where Scotty Schaeffler's name is on our side. I'm going to put the lean towards us. I'm taking Scottie Scheper. He needs to play five. But it is very important for Scotty to play well this week.

I mean, obviously he's the number one player in the world. But I believe in the history of the Ryder Cup, when U.S. has had the number one player, T-Up, they're like one and seven. It's not good. It's not good. Obviously, Tiger was a big part of that. But, yeah, Scotty's got a lot on his shoulders this week. Let's go to match number three.

Harris English, Colin Morricawa, against Rory Macaroy and Tommy Fleetwood. Surprise, surprise. They're playing together. But English Morikawa plus 175, Rory and Fleetwood, the biggest favorites for the Europeans at minus 125. I saw that one and I chocked up a blue.

Yeah. I think we're probably all going to agree with that one. That's tough sledding there. You said you got the last... I was still playing a little bit. I hate talking that way. I mean, it's terrible. Yeah.

I saw it. I'm like, I think they're going to get beat. Yeah, Rory and Fleetwood have been a massive problem for a long time. Yeah. For Europe. And it's just, it is what it is. And I think there's a reason they're favorites in this one. And they're both in great form coming in when I saw that match. You said you thought the match prior to that would be the biggest, most lopsided run of the day.

I think if there was any way we could scrounge out a half in that thing, that would be an all-time, all-time half point. That is a tough duo. Harris English is a magician. He is. He's been known to pull something out of his hat. All right. The anchor match. We got Patrick Cantlay, Zander Schaughley going up against Victor Hovlin and Bobby McIntyre. Cantley Schofleet minus 105, Hovlin Bobby Mac, plus 140.

This is a tough one. I think this could be a really good match. That's a tough one. I honestly don't know where that goes. I don't, are Cantlay and Zander Bros? Oh, they're very tight. They played a lot together. They love each other.

They've been playing some good golf. Zander hasn't really played much. He made it through the second playoff event, did not make the tour championship, had the injury earlier in the year. Didn't play Napa because him and his wife just had a little baby boy named Victor. So that one's a little dice for me. Bob McIntyre was a big question mark over in Rome and he went 2-0-1. And he's been playing really good.

Yeah. So I'm almost chalking this on up blue. And then you got Victor Hovlin might be in one. of these hitting bays right now working on his swing for all I know yeah he doesn't know he doesn't know either one day he's got it one day he doesn't got it I think that's a toss-up match I don't know it's tough but um I think Xander Shafley when the lights come on he's one of those lights guys I love him and by the way Cantlay was the lone bright spot basically over in Europe he and max home up well I'm gonna take them the boys are back together in that match I think they get that win

and our bets for our preview show I had Patrick Cantley to be top American you had Xander Shaflays, so we probably need them to win this one. We need that one, actually. All right, well, this has been so much fun. Jimmy, we appreciate you coming out and joining us. It's been always fun catching up with you. And thanks to T-squared Zone, all of y'all out there. By the way, if you're going out tomorrow,

get there early, it's going to be a madhouse, getting those stands and Roodon Team USA. Jimmy, we thank you, brother. Appreciate you. Thank you all for coming out. Six-time winner, former writer-gumper Jimmy Walker. A huge thank you to everyone tuning in for the live show into our special friends at Zone. They are the best. And just like they got out at Bethpage, we got a warning here too. This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.

Underage sale is prohibited. Listen, when I need to dial things in on the course, I go with zone nicotine pouches. Why? One stronger nicotensity. The others aren't even close, and two, better flavors, and three, they last longer, and they're more comfortable than any other pouch out there. My go-to is the nine milligram spearm, but they make seven flavors in both six and nine. milligrams. These are a game changer. 20 pouches per can versus the 15 the other guys offer. It is a no-brainer. I do not play 18 without at least one can of zone in my bag. If you want zone pouches at a discount and mailed right to your door, head to nicocic.com. That's nico-k-c-com and intercode subpar 20 at checkout for an additional 20% off. Thanks to everyone for tuning in.

Make sure you stay tuned to our YouTube page for live shows Friday and Saturday, recapping each day. the Rider Cup.