The Herd with Colin Cowherd - GoLow Golf - U.S. Open Reaction, LIV/PGA War with Hunter Mahan

Episode Date: June 20, 2022

John is joined by 6-time PGA Tour winner Hunter Mahan to react to Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick winning a thrilling U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline, and why the U.S Open is so different from the rest of the majors. They also discuss the brewing war between the PGA Tour and the Saudi LIV Golf Tour. Follow John and The Volume on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for the latest content and updates and check out FanDuel for the best wagering and daily fantasy action! #herdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform?

We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential.

Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On the Look Back at it podcast. For 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me.

I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year. It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people.

Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard,

but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeard radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. The volume. The three-in-out podcast with me, John Middilcalf,

is presented by Fandul's sportsbook. There's no better place to make every moment more than with Fanduel. Great odds and markets for baseball, the NBA, NHL, PGA, Tours, and so much more. Awesome new. and existing user promotions. America's number one sportsbook, very easy to use, safe and secure,

you get your winnings fast. I cannot recommend it enough. Love gambling with Fanduel. If you are new, just download the Fandual Sportsbook app to get started, now sign up with promo code Colin so they know we sent you. What is going on, everybody?

John Middlecock. We are going with a Golo podcast because the U.S. Open just concluded tonight. recording this probably about 20 minutes after Matt Fitzpatrick. It just officially became the 2002 United States Open champion. Edging Will's Al Torres as well as Scottie Sheffler. What a tournament.

The drama. We got a big show. Give a couple thoughts on the action. Then we're going to bring in Hunter Mahan who just has six PGA tour victories. Multiple top 10 finishes in the U.S. Open. I think he had a T4. in 2013. So, you know, pretty good golfer.

Played a few majors in his heyday. So we'll get his thoughts on what just happened and how that all transpired. Schedule for this week. We'll have a football podcast coming out on Tuesday, a little three and out. We will have another golf podcast probably in the middle of the week. There are probably some live stuff coming. I think a bunch more guys are going to announce. And then more football stuff later in the week.

Obviously, the summer months, everyone's on summer break. So we got content to produce. we got bills to pay. We're going to keep on churning it out. This podcast at Golopod, at Golopod, fire in those direct messages. And I will answer them coming up on Wednesday show. We'll probably be when I get to the messages. That's the Instagram account.

DM's wide open. Obviously for the three and out podcast at John Middlkoff, fire in there. I need your guys DMs. So fire in those DMs. And that's how we communicate. That's how we interact with the people. And let's just start with, to me, the star of the weekend was the course. It was awesome.

I think all anyone wants is to see major championships in the low to mid underparse. You know, I want to see three, four, five, six under in that range win it. Matt Fitzpatrick, obviously, I mean, the shot potentially of his life on 18. He was awesome today. He really was. And I'm not trying to be a downer. I had money on Willie Z. I had, would have won about $2,600.

So I was heavily, and I mean heavily, rooting for Will Zalotaurus, which I now think it's fair to call him, the Buffalo Bills of golf. I mean, the guy finishes runner-up, it feels like every single major tournament. It's crazy. Fitzpatrick hits that shot on 18 from the bunker.

I tweeted this out. I do believe this. This is not taking anything away. He got a little lucky that he landed in the bunker, not behind the mound, and he was three or four yards to the left of it and had an angle. Now, he still had to execute the shot.

He hit a great shot. He two putted for the win. The reaction with his family. I mean, obviously, the storylines of him and Jack Nicholas are the only guys to win the U.S. amateur and the U.S. Open at the same course. And then he even gave the Golden Bear a little jab after in the ceremony, saying that Jack made fun of him when he won, the member member at Jack's course in Florida, saying that, you know, sooner or later you're going to, this is his first state win in the States.

Well, now he has a real win in the States, and it's called the U.S. Open. I mean, he's an awesome player. It's been well documented. He was a guy several years ago. To me, my favorite Matt Fitzpatrick story is he shows up from, he's not from America. He's from England. And, I mean, how many friends did that guy have waiting for him on the 18th Green? He had buddies left and right.

The guy's more popular than anyone I've ever seen. But he comes from England, and he comes to states to go to school. but that he showed up to Northwestern to play golf and then he realized he also had to go to school. He was like, he wasn't even won and done. He lasted a semester. He's like, yeah, I'm not doing school. I'm here to play golf, quit school, went pro.

But he was a shorter hitter. Obviously, he's an elite player. He has gained ball speed. He has gained swing speed. And I wouldn't call him like Kepka, DJ, or Bryson, but he hits the ball more than far enough. I mean, Zalotoros is a big time hitter. so he's not quite hitting it as far as him.

But distance is not his issue. He's a great ball striker. And, you know, and listen, he just, he got it done today. I mean, he hit that long putt. What hole was that, like 13 or 14? He was awesome. Both those guys, I thought were awesome. They kept answering the bell after they screwed up.

You know, the rough, if you missed it, there was, I think it was the 15th hole, because Alatorz Bordid hole 16, where Fitzpatrick benefited from pumping it way right, basically almost to the grandstands. Because if you've ever been to a PGA golf tournament, let alone a major, the foot traffic knocks all the grass down. And Zalotaurus barely misses the fairway, but he gets in the deep rough, and then he bogeys that hole. And ultimately, if he just parsed that hole, we're in a playoff.

We're in a two-hole playoff, which would have been a little weird in the U.S. Open. Though, like, listen, I love golf. Do I need to see them play 18 holes? You know, I work from home. I could have easily watched that on Monday. but Fitzpatrick, man, he just, he had a lot of hype coming into this because he won in 2013 and then all week they talked about he was living with the same guy that hosted him in 13. He was sleeping in the same bedroom and then he didn't just live up to the hype.

I mean, he played in the final group on Sunday and then basically two putted to win the U.S. Open. And now he's a major champion. To me, it's always cool when a guy becomes a major champion and he doesn't have a PGA tour win. And speaking of not having a PJ Tour win or not having a major win, Zalotoris, it's insanity what's going on. I mean, he lost in a playoff a month ago to JT. He's obviously, it feels like he finishes runner up in the Masters the last several years. He easily could have won the day.

I mean, easily could have won the day. But the thing is with golf, who knows? Like, how many chances are you going to get? It seems, and he should be moving forward in auto-bet majors. Will Zalotaurus major and the odds are anything higher, in like 15 to 1, boom, auto bet. I mean, I got him at 25 to 1. Some books, you could have got him at 30 to 1.

He is an elite hard golf course player. It's not even debatable. And his putting stroke, especially in the short ones, it looks a little weird. It's a little horky jerky, but it worked. I mean, you watch some putt today. Obviously, in the longer putts, you know, like 8 to 15 feet, you actually feel pretty confident.

I don't want to say I felt like Tiger Woods level he was going to make it on 18, but I was much more confident than the majority of players that he was going to make that put. And again, I'm biased. I had an agenda. I had money on the guy. But I also, when he missed it, just kind of felt like, God, I mean, this is, and I know he

made a ton of money. Him and his caddy are an ATM machine right now when they play in these majors, but it's got to be a kick in the dick. I mean, you get so close. Final group after final group after final group in these major championships, and you're just not able to get it done for whatever reason. Like today, he did not play bad. Made a mistake here or there, but I don't think it caused.

lost him the tournament. I mean, when you have a chance to make a putt on 18 to force a playoff, like you played pretty well in the United States Open. You know, like, Scotty Sheffler a little bit came out of nowhere, what he had, four birdies and like the first seven holes. And it was like, that's the reason he's the number one player in the world. And just what a talent. I mean, at one point in time, I'm like, if Scotty wins this,

is this one of the easiest players of the years of all time? He would have had three PJ tour victories. He would have been a master's champion. He would have been the U.S. Open champion. until he would have had five total victories and just like, what are we watching right now? He's the number one player in the world. How is this possible?

But even him. And it shows you like he's playing so well right now. It's just like number two. You know, finish his type T2 in a major. Another huge check. I mean, Scotty is, I'd say right now, I mean, him and Will's Alatoris, you've got to feel pretty good going into these majors.

I mean, you know I had a lot of money on Justin Thomas and he was nowhere to be found, did not play very well. I lost a lot of money on this tournament. I mean, basically my hopes were with Will Zaltaltors, who is just a very fun player to watch. He really is. He's an enjoyable player to consume.

Fitzpatrick is too. Might be just how quick a swing is, something about the SPF all over his face. He's got braces. He's got 17 buddies going up, jumping up and down every time he makes a putt. Listen, I mean, that was for, you know, we're golf nerds, we're going to watch the majors.

and having non like Tiger or some super famous, I mean, Rory kind of got in at the end, but he was never really in it today, especially like after the front nine when he kind of, I don't want to say, shot himself out of it, but was, you know, one under and the leaders were at five or six.

But without having huge, huge name recognition from a golf standpoint, that was as enjoyable as it gets. The drama, the back and forth, the back nine within a shot, one guy bogeys, the other guy birdies, one guy hits a long putt, the other guy misses a putt.

You're on your edge of your seat there for a couple hours. The course thrived, the players thrived. That was a very, very entertaining product. Now, the broadcast, NBC basically throws up a big FU to the consumer. It's pretty crazy, right? You would never come back from Sunday night football and hear Tariko or Al Michaels go, well, I know you guys were away at break watching a Lexus and a Mercedes

and an Allstate commercial, but Patrick Mahomes just through the best touchdown you're ever going to see. I mean, at one point tonight or today, Scotty Schaeffler hits a put, but we're watching like Zalotaurus and Fitzpatrick, and all of a sudden, Dan Hicks goes, well, Scotty Schaffler just took the lead,

let's go look at that, and then we watch him hit a long putt. Like, what are we doing, guys? You got to make a better consumer product. Make it easier to consume. Somehow, some way, that was terrible all weekend long. Pretty big joke. Let's be real. The biggest reason I'll say it over and over,

live has a chance. obviously they have an unlimited amount of cash but they show a ton more golf than these events so if they can keep stealing players and they don't need broadcast partners they do not need broadcast partners they just need YouTube YouTube I was just around a three year old

he never stops watching YouTube now obviously he's not their demo but if you ever been around a 15 17 23 year old they ain't watching these main networks you do not need them so if Liv keeps hammering home show a ton more golf they're going to keep separating themselves

into the vernacular of the golf fan. Because what we had to go through the last couple days, especially on Father's Day, happy Father's Day to all you fathers, that's unacceptable. That we have to, I mean, they're spoiling holes. I mean, it's a joke. And I know it's difficult.

In basketball, football, baseball, we never miss a play. Yet in golf, it always feels like they're way off. They're showing us highlight packages while golf's going on. It's like all I have to say is like Logan Roy said in, or I guess Kendall Roy said this in the last season of succession, be better. Try harder. Try harder. Just figure it out. Like, just figure it out, NBC. You got this product because Fox sold it off to you for basically a 70% discount. And you throw more ads than I feel like I've ever seen in the history of a golf tournament, especially one that was that good. And I know

the last hour we got commercial free. Well, of course they could have because they gave us 17 million ads Saturday and Sunday leading up to that final hour. But congratulations to Matt Fitzpatrick. Academia was just not his style, and clearly golf is. And congratulations again to an incredible performance from Will's Allotaurus, who you just hope and pray eventually is going to win a tournament. I don't feel confident about it, but I'm going to keep betting on him. I'm rooting for him. Who isn't? Because right now he's kind of the Buffalo Bills of Golf. Luckily, he's like, you know, he ain't 40. He's 25, 26 years old. He's got a lot of time. He's got a great skinny waist, and he bombs the ball. And Scottie Schaeffler, who's just having an all-time season.

Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth.

Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits,

the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes,

creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast, it's a space for honest conversations,

stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes,

Follow at Clifford and a TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam Jett. And I'm Alex English.

Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 was big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack all day, but just so you all know. I mean, at this point, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line.

We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you for finishing that sentence. Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we, are in possession of the thing, and we're still chasing it, and we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth, or are you a good person because you're afraid?

Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free,

our heart radio app, search Learn the Hardway, and listen now. Okay, coming at you live, Sunday night, with six-time PGA Tour winner, the guy who's finished in the top 10 in this tournament multiple times,

top six, a top four. He knows what tough golf is all about. Hunter Mayhan, my friend, how are you doing, man? I'm doing excellent. You know, I feel supercharged from what we just saw. It was just, you know, USA gets banged on a lot for sometimes other setups.

They need to be applauded for this tournament. And what they did, they gave us an incredible product. We were entertained. I was entertained from Thursday all the way to Sunday. I thought it was just an incredible, incredible tournament. Well, I was diving into your wiki. You've played in this tournament a lot. Obviously, the venues matter.

But I would say consistently over time, the toughness of the U.S. Open, right? The lengths of the rough, the tightness of the fairways. and you know the greens, explain what it's like to be a player on the weekend at a U.S. Open and the pressure. I mean, you've been in the mix to win these things. Yeah, kind of a little bit of what you saw out there was guys, I mean, 10, 12 feet, and you can tell that they're so meek, they're just kind of lagging them up there, and that's what you get.

Being in below the hole and above the hole and some of the positions that you're in matter a great deal. You might be 30 feet, but if you're putting up, And most of those uphill putts, the way the ball is going to trickle down, you probably have a pretty straight put putt. You saw how many times did you see these guys pin high or pass pit high? And they were just, you know, you can tell they were looking way high. They're looking how my ball is going to come into the hole from the even sideways. I saw Zander make a butt that came into the back door.

I mean, it's just a constant grind on every single shot from the first hole to the last hole. There was just no letups on this golf course. You're going to have to grind it out. And if you don't, if you make a mistake, like we saw a lot of times on 11, guys flying over. over the green, boom, it's a double. And all of a sudden, you make a double on the US Open. It feels like a tournament's over. Well, let's start on 15.

They're tied. And Zalotaurus, or maybe he's one down, pumps it just a little off the fairway, and he's in the tough rough. Fitzpatrick pumps it way into the gallery and is in, gets a great lie and has a much longer shot, but he hits it on the green. What do you think there?

And is that just part of, Are you better off in the U.S. Open pumping it way into the gallery if there aren't trees, then you are just barely missing the fairway? That was probably the biggest moment of the tournament, right? Like that hole, those guys were battling all day. And you saw his lie. You can just see his whole ball over there, Fitzpatrick, and it hit it. You can seem like you can see the whole year's obviously going to have to shape it.

He hit a phenomenal shot. But it just shows you the difference in situation in just that moment, right? Right. He was probably thinking we're tied. We've got four holes left. There's a lot of golfs to be played. But I have a great opportunity here. And it's right. I mean, it was just a phenomenal, phenomenal shot. I still thought Zalotoris, even though he was in the rough, he's been impeccable out of the rough this week. These guys have really been able to hit it. Even in the rough, still hit it on the green. I know I think it was nine when he was kind of out of the rough from about 200 yards. He hit up there. I think it's like 15 made birdie. So I thought he was going to hit a pretty good shot. I was actually surprised. But that just happens, right? I mean, you're in the rough. You just don't know what you're going to get sometimes. Obviously, that was the swing hole for the whole tournament when Matt made that pup. I guess they were tied because they were both five under. He burdies.

He goes to six under. Zalacharis, bogies goes to 400. And then 16, the pins tucked back right. Zalotaurus just shows the metal and the stones. Berties the hole. I mean, going into that, obviously that. The guys were struggling to even get it close. He knocks and what?

Like within 10 feet. What a shot from the Dallas native? of I thought, you could tell like, I think a billion fits were kind of in between clubs there between a six and a five. They knew that, you know, long, that whole just, the green's been so firm all the waste. They know if we just fly it anywhere on the green, it's going to get pretty far in the middle to back there. I mean, ripped a six, obviously flushed it. I mean, Matt really was hitting it really nice on the back time with his iron. It seemed like he was in complete control. And as soon as Willie hit it, I thought, I thought it was

leaking. I thought, boy, it's probably going to catch that bonkers. died it too right and everyone's probably like oh it's just a little too and it just got a great bounce but it was an absolute like you said just a big stone shot like you're one back with three to go you don't really have time to just hope something happens at that point you got to be aggressive and he was and you know and that's you know you rely on your strengths and his strengths are his irons and so he had great reason to be aggressive on that shot because he can still put it up in the air and it was just a phenomenal shot phenomenal putt all of a sudden you know the game's back on Is it fair to say when you were playing your best golf, you're known as a great iron player?

Yes. Yes. So when you're in that situation and in this type tournament and the greens are rock hard, you really, you're trying to fly it between like 180, 185 or whatever the distance is and then let a roll. I mean, how hard, even for the best players in the world, guys like yourself, guys, when you're locked in, I mean, is there just zero margin? Because if you hit it 178, you're in the bunker, right? And if you hit it, if you catch it too well, 190.

you're going over, it just has to be the perfect shot. I mean, is that basically what you got to do? Yeah, I mean, it's some of the third and ten in a football game, right? In the Super Bowl, you're just going to have to make the throw. When you make the throw, you're going to have to make the swing when you have that opportunity. You're one down, you got to go. I mean, you just, you can't, at 17s are birdie hole for both everybody. 18 was, I feel like 18 was still not, not easy, but it's not a hole you want to rely on

to think that your length. I'm going to pick it up, right? I mean, that was a great opportunity for him, and he took advantage, and it was just a big-time shot. And like you said, you really, that, I remember Thursday, Friday, I think Victor hit like a seven iron. He hit it on the front of the green, and it had no chances. Like, it was flying over the green. So I think the weather helped, of course, a little bit. They probably, that was one hole.

It seemed like that usually kind of lost it, you know, early on that week. But they kind of made up for the weekend. And it was a tough shot, but you can see the ball was reacting a lot better than it was early in the week. Because you would hate for a moment like that for the golf course to sort of take over. And it allowed, you know, Willie had a great shot in there and McBurdy. I mean, it was just, it was absolutely phenomenal. Yes. In all of his shots, he's hitting the majors.

I mean, that has to be right up there, given he's two shots back, three shots to go, three holes to go, just an incredible. Then 17, they both par, Will had a great look. I mean, Vince Patrick had a pretty good look, too. So you go into 18, you know, I know you never won a major, but you've won PJ tournament. You have a lead going into 18. Do you got to change your mindset of what you've been hitting? When you're watching him pull out of three wood, would you just hit like a five iron to the

middle of the fairway or you just got to play your game? I mean, you got a one shot lead in a major on Sunday. We just saw a Mito, right? I mean, a month ago, screw it up. So then the only place you could miss is left. And it feels like every once in a while he can get the hooks. which you did there. I mean,

what should he have done? I know the outcome ended up working out, but he got, he was right on the fence there of getting screwed. Yes, yes. I mean, it's,

I, you played your strengths. Like, I'm always going to lead to my driver and my arms. Like, when I needed a big shot, like I'm always pulling the driver. There's no doubt about it.

I feel like I trust that club the most. Matt has kind of a, it's a quick tempo swing, right? It kind of brings it inside kind of like, it's, It's his swing, right? You don't, no one's really going to teach that.

You kind of have to work with it. And I think it works with irons fine. But, you know, when you get the longer clubs, when that thing's got, you got to give it a little bit more time. I mean, it was going pretty fast, right? Kind of like, you know, it's like the body's going. The club's got a long way to go still. So I thought the left on that hole, I felt like you hit it right. You're just getting further away from the hole.

So I did think if you didn't miss it left, it felt like it was actually an easier shot there. but that's just a big boy, fairway bunker shot. I mean, he hoisted it out of there. You know, I thought it was really interesting. Justin Leonard talked about he's been working really hard on developing club speed and Matthew Fitzpatrick. So I think Justin Leonard said he saw him after a tournament,

even after he won. He went right back home to Florida. I started getting speed. So I think speed, hitting it further has been a big part of his game and elevating to being a major champion now. But you got to go complete with. comfort there. And, you know, he's got a great caddy, Billy Foxger. Billy Foxger's been, as one countless tournaments. So I'm sure they thought, like, this is our best opportunity

here to hit the fairway. We don't want to driver. I clearly might have not confidence with hitting the fairway that probably tournaments, they probably feel like it's, you know, we have a great chance to win. But, you know, I don't know if they got lucky, but hitting a fairway bunker set of that magnitude at that moment, it's just unbelievable. For sure. So he hits it on the greens. Alatoris hit a great drive, you know, it doesn't have, What do you do there? I mean, do you flirt going dead red? You get a wedge.

It spins back too much. You got to go long. Yeah. He had a good look, but I bet, you know, 10 times, he has that shot 10 times. He'd like to be a little closer, right, at your guy's level in that moment. You just, you don't want to get ultra aggressive and end up like screwing yourself, right? So you almost have to be aggressively conservative in a weird way. You want to give yourself, I mean, after, I think, well, after Matt hit it up there.

I mean, he's got to putting. It's all red, right? He's, we got to be aggressive. And he had a good shot. But I just remember Schephardt, and then Fitzpatrick's butt, you're thinking it just doesn't go as much as it looks. And of course, and I mean, just he did exactly what I think everyone was watching is he hit it too high. It's just a punt that looks like it's going to break more right than the actual is there. And as the fan, you're watching it over and over and over again watching it happen.

He just hit it too high. It was a great put. It was a great hole. I mean, he did, he said the pot in 17 is the one that's going to probably bother him because that's up the gut. I mean, you just don't get a better look at a major than that on to tie it up. So that's the one that's going to bother you. But that was a great 18th hole he played. He did everything.

He did everything. He played great. He just was one shot short this week. I mean, you've been at the highest level now around the game and around these guys for a long time. I mean, how many times can you cut this close? I mean, the guy just finished in a playoff. Feels like he's finished. He's been in the last group of the Masters several times.

He easily could have won the day. Like, it's just, you know, you say it's going to happen, but you know how hard it is. It's just one of those things. Like, how do you sleep at night if you're him? Yeah, I think it's, you know, he's still a young guy. I think he needs to get a win, right? Like, I love him for next week, Triler's Championship.

I think he's going to win. I really do. I think it's, I think it's all. I was thinking about this beginning of the wig. I think he's going to win travelers. I think it's a perfect golf course for him. It's going to set up really well. He can hit his fade kind of on almost every season.

single hole or something kind of in his way. You know, like a lot of there are some holes there where he needed to draw and he can tell he's not as comfortable doing that. I think he just looks at it. He's like, I'm 25 years old. I've been in contention twice. I've got so much golf ahead of me. I mean, he is putting.

I don't feel like his, he left putt short today, but his putting wasn't a problem. He just hit a few scurly drives, probably gave him more fits than anything else. But, I mean, he's playing unbelievable golf right now. he's a guy that can in the next calendar year win three or four times but those majors are i mean you only get four opportunities a year so they feel so special and they feel so um unique and like you for as much as you think he knows he's like i just got to keep putting myself there it feels like it's not totally true it took fill a long time surgery a lot of great players a long time to win majors because you just have so many even so few opportunities um

But as I said, you know, yesterday was no laying up guys. Ball striking travels. The way he hits it, I mean, that lasts a lifetime. For sure, it's why he plays so well at the Masters. I mean, that's your L.A. country club. I mean, he's going to be right in the mix there. You can hit it for a split second today, more than a split second, a couple holes. It felt like, is Scotty Schaffler really going to rattle off like five or six wins this year

and be the U.S. Open and Masters champion? I mean, do you know him at all? What's your take on Scotty's game? and is he just an all-time heater? Or is this something that's going to stay for a while? I met Scotty and his dad when Scottie was, you know, eight, nine years old. And I was taking lessons from Randy Smith,

who's Scotty's teacher now. And Randy Smith is an all-time coach. He doesn't get any praise. He doesn't really want me. But he taught me for a really long time, Justin Leonard for a long time, and Scott Schuffler since he was a kid. And so he deserves mad respect for everything

that he's done for a lot of golfers. he's he's excellent. So I knew Scottie when he was little. Obviously I went to college and I turned pro sort of lost touch. But I kept hearing every time I come home, like Scottie said he said it like another course record. Oh yeah, I broke another course record. And he broke his own course record.

Like he goes low a lot. He is not afraid of any sort of moments. He's just, I think he's a guy who's not, like I said, he's not afraid of the moment. I think he's here to stay. There's no nothing part of his game that, you know, concerns you. his putting stroke is phenomenal like he made like you saw the start today I mean just rolling everything in

he has a great his emotions are completely in check so none of these moments you can tell that he's not at all intimidated by anything that's coming his way so I think he's going to be around a really really a long time you know I didn't want to touch on this but I mean it's one of the bigger stories in golf

and you and I were texting and talking about it earlier in the week the live thing and I first I saw Abe answer it's going to basically announce without announcing he's going and people think like get ready more names are going you know you know all these people and all these agents i mean it's the talk of golf uh just initial takes on live the the product and just kind of where it's clearly heading with more and more i mean a answer is the top 20 player in the world bryson i know he's injured but i mean bryson was a huge get for them a couple weeks ago

or whatever does it feel like it's going to slow down your thoughts it's a great question i've talk to a lot of people about it, trying to gain some sort of perspective of understanding of what's happening. I mean, they have so much freedom in what they're going to do going forward. I mean, they had a 54-hole event, their first one, shotgun start. I don't think that's going to continue. I think they have to eventually go to 72 holes. They're going to stop the shotgun starts on, you know, the weekend. They're getting more legitimate players. They're very international right now, right? It doesn't feel like they're very of like American.

And it's kind of a weird way to say it. But Abraham Answer and they got all that, I mean, Sergio on Lee and all these top names from here for they've been there a long, long time. I'm hearing, you know, some South Americans might be coming over, but we'll see. We just kind of just don't know. But the fields are getting better. They are going to get world ranking points. They're become a more legitimate of a tour.

We'll see what the European tour does kind of going forward. I hear guys are going to be allowed to go to Germany, but they're not going to be allowed to play in the Scottish. I'm not sure how that works. It's really interesting. I think if they get through this whole year of eight tournaments, I think they're going to be pretty excited, and they're going to see kind of where they end up going forward for next year.

But I don't see them going away anytime soon. I think they're going to be here for the next few years. We'll see if they get a television contract, which I hear I think they're going to get. I mean, this feels like it's just the beginning, you know, for for all the talk and all the players. I think I was happy that the U.S. Open was the U.S. Open and we got to see an incredible product and nothing was sort of stained by that. But this isn't going away. We've just really begun this, you know, this turmoil and this interaction between the PJ Tour and the LiveGolf.

It's really, we've just begun. Do you think that the kind of the breaking down the dam would be for them to get one? one of the top American guys, you know, whether it be one of the guys that have been openly anti them or even just all of a sudden get a Sam Burns, a Scotty Chef, or something like that. I'm not saying it doesn't feel like they're close to doing that. No. The money, it's just, it's going to get harder and harder if they become more and more legitimate, right? Well, I think it seems like strength is in numbers.

It's interesting saying one guy go, but what about four or five guys get together and say and bring their whole group to the live tour? then that's going to be pretty powerful when they just say this is our number and then we'll divide it up as we see fit that would be more powerful than a guy like a sanburn's going over if somehow you know spith and shephler and just got together and said well let's just throw out a ridiculous number and then see what happens that would be powerful i think these little guys one guy here one guy there that's that's okay that the tour can kind of get through that but if someone if a big group comes together and says, hey, this is our number. It's astronomical. We'll see what we can get. And they get it. Then that would be kind of an interesting,

uh, interesting story and interesting, you know, kind of plot twist to what we're seeing. But I mean, the more termics they have, the more going forward. It's just, it's going to keep building for them. Well, I know they have one coming up and they might have a couple before St. Andrews. Yeah. I know we take a lot of pride. Like, oh, the U.S.

open, the media was, it feels like over there. I mean, they were just getting peppered in England. It's going to be a really big deal that week in St. Andrews with all the European media, right? Don't you think that that's going to these guys, especially that crew of guys, the Euros are some of their main group. It's only going to even come more to light, especially as more and get more guys go that given week, which, you know, St. Andrews, I know you've played it. It's got to be one of the more special places you can play golf, you know, in a major tournament, right? It's unbelievable. It's the city, the town's right there behind you on this backdrop, this historic golf course,

with all these moments you can see in your brain and see in your mind revisit. It's just, it's an incredible, incredible place. That's when you do get to play a British, St. Anders is definitely a special, a special place. Because you really, you get there early. You're there for, it feels like about 10 days or so, kind of getting acclimated. It's just, it's an amazing scene. And that will be interesting how the media is going to approach those players.

Are they going to be super aggressive or are they going to be, super respectful of the event and how are the players going to keep talking going forward? Because it feels like if I was the PJ tour or the PJ tour players, I'm done talking about it. There are no more statements. There's no more. You know, Rory, you know, Rory kind of keeps chirping at it. I think he, he just needs to stop and say, I'm a PJ tour member. I'm very proud. I'm trying to win majors in tournaments. I'm not talking about this anymore. But he kind of keeps nibbling at it for some reason. I'm not sure.

But that's what I would do if I was a pediatric tour player. I'm like, I'm done talking about this. So we'll see what the media does. They're extremely respectful of the RNA in the British Open. But, I mean, they could be really aggressive and they could be really mean toward, you know, Dustin and ARAB and Serge and Lee. I mean, they could go out of them pretty hard if they want. So we'll see what happens. I'm not, I could see both.

And I could see, and I could see, you know, some players just saying, well, I'm not doing media this week. go ahead and find me. So I don't know. We'll see, we'll see how it goes going forward. It's going to be pretty interesting. Are you guys obligated financially by the tour or by the tournament if they ask you to do the podium to do it? Kind of like in the NFL, they're mandated to talk once a week or can you avoid it? I think you could turn it down. I mean, they always ask certain players to do it and stuff. I mean, I think, I mean, most guys do it when they're asked, right? Yes. Yeah. I mean, most everyone does it. But, I mean, I think guys, I mean,

would fill the decline. Yeah, I think he might. I think he's probably done talking about it. I think there's no, I think guys will talk and I don't think they'll say anything. I think they'll just be like, I'm here going to play in the British Open and I don't really need to discuss anything further. There is going to be one guy who took this week off who has been very, very supportive of the tour. He wears red on Sunday, who's going to, we all think's going to be there, right? And that tournament is sacred to him, who might have some takes. It might have some things to say that that week about, this whole, because again, there'll be several events for him to have, I'm sure he's clicked on the YouTube and checked it out, right? Yeah, I mean, it's, he's the best at it, right? He gets up there

and he answers every question, but doesn't say anything. Were you surprised he turned down $700, $800 million? Not really, because I'm sure he talked to them, but you never know what was being asked. And, you know, Tiger is not going to, he's only going to do what he wants to do. He's going to respect the tour and the meaning of things, but those guys are working for that live money. I mean, they are doing events, proams, parties, dinners, like, there's a lot to do. This is not just, it might, it's, it's guaranteed money, but it's not free money.

I mean, they're going to work for it every single week they play and do things that we don't even really know about. but they're going to work it that week for sure. And Tiger's done with that. Like if I'm Tiger, I'm like, listen, you know, if you're advising and we're like, listen, you're a billionaire now. What do you just, I think simplicity for his life and what he's doing, he's just trying to get healthy enough to play tournaments, obviously.

I mean, he skipped the U.S. Open because he's just not there. So I don't think Tiger's. He's not glad-handed at the chain-smoker tournament. Right. I don't think. I just don't think what's he going to do with that? I think he's just kind of like, it's honestly, just not worth it for it. him. I think he just wants to get healthy enough to play tournaments. It's where his mind is right now.

The guys you've talked to and you're friends with on the tour, are they interested? Do a lot of guys turned off by the whole thing? Or is just kind of a mixed bag on the individual? I think it's a mixed bag of the individual. It seems like, it seems like most 30 and under are just trying to win tournaments. They really don't have much interest in what's sort of being offered. They just kind of, I think most golfers that I've talked to or have heard are just trying to play golf. They want simplicity in their life. They don't want a lawsuit. They don't want the noise. They just want to know where they're going to play next week and play and not have,

not have to answer these questions and go out and just earn their money the best way they can. Most guys just aren't deadiestry. And if you look at the older, you look at the guys taking the money. They're mostly older guys who've won their tournaments. They have a major, have been extremely close. like they have their sort of their own legacies and they just, you know, it's just a good, too good opportunity to sort of pass up. I mean, so it just seems like the younger guys just want to play golf and they don't want

to have any of that. They don't want this distraction. Well, Hunter, that was a fun U.S. Open and get ready for more live tournaments because I'm excited to watch this story unfold, man. Happy Father's Day. I know you got a big family and hopefully you guys enjoyed the day. And talk to you soon, man. Thank you.

Appreciate it, man. Of all you. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform?

We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel. and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential.

Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th.

You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifers Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to the Clifford show on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. On the Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me.

84's big to me. I'm Sam Jay. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year. It was a wild year.

I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.