The Shotgun Start

On this very special episode (now with enhanced audio!), Andy and Brendan kick off U.S. Open week alongside Maxfli ambassador and three-time PGA Tour winner Ben Griffin. The three sat down at the Maxfli pop-up store in East Hampton, New York, to discuss Ben's preparation for this week's test at Shinnecock Hills, his continued success on the PGA Tour, and much more.

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On this very special episode, Andy and Brendan kick off U.S. Open week alongside Maxfli ambassador and three-time PGA Tour winner Ben Griffin. The three sat down at the Maxfli pop-up store in East Hampton, New York, to discuss Ben's preparation for this week's test at Shinnecock Hills, his continued success on the PGA Tour, and much more.

Visit Dick’s or Golf Galaxy in-store or online to purchase Maxfli Tour Series.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is an all-time Victory Monday at the Shotgun Start, where a member of the podcast can truly celebrate a world championship. PJ Clark sat down for this episode after being awake for 36 straight hours, roaming the celebratory streets of New York like a nomad. PJ details his evening around Manhattan and the emotions of watching his Knicks win the championship. Then Brendan and Joseph turn to the golf in Canada, where Bud Cauley got his first PGA Tour win after turning pro some 16 years and many, many health issues prior. The Cauley round and story are given its due on a Tour that is increasingly difficult to win on in 2026. There’s also some great delight in Tosti getting in the mix with what may be the highlight clip of the year so far. They discuss Brooks Koepka’s injury with some concern and melancholy. On early U.S. Open chatter, the three discuss some juicy early weather reports and how the USGA could get into any trouble again at Shinnecock and if the past will have fans approaching the week with some level of bloodlust. Zach Johnson’s “dreams” being realized with a Champions Tour win are also discussed, as well as a medical exemption dilemma, the Curtis Cup, Juli Inskter bursting through the Cochran zone, and much more.

Visit Dick’s or Golf Galaxy in-store or online to purchase Maxfli Tour Series.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are four wide on this busy Friday with a lot of news to discuss as the week closes before the U.S. Open. Brendan is joined by KVV, Joseph, and PJ. They begin with the Golf Digest report on allegations against Phil Mickelson of nonconsensual and inappropriate physical contact with a female employee at his home club that led to his removal from said club. They discuss the late stage spiral of Phil, and the seriousness of this now most recent allegation, the mess he’s made of his career, what could have been, and what will never be now. Then they get into a spate of LIV news from reports on the future of its remaining four events in the Financial Times, to a report on confusion about the contracts for players like Jon Rahm, to one more about the Australian Open perhaps becoming the “death knell” of LIV’s reimagined plans. Joseph brings some provocative comments about the TPC Toronto test for the Canadian Open and the PGA Tour putting bumpers up for the highest level of pro golf. KVV has a Flashback segment on a former rules kerfuffle at a U.S. Open that had players tweeting angrily all through the evening. Then they close with a wide-ranging PJ minute on the Knicks, an all time win, and an all time rant about Carmelo’s place in franchise lore.

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PJ is off playing the 100 Hole Hike (Donate Here!), leaving Andy and Brendan to fend for themselves on this Wednesday edition of SGS. So it begins with a rambling first 10 minutes on the World Cup, Knicks, Kramer Hikock, the Bears moving to Indiana, and much more. Eventually, they get to “Golf’s Longest Day” and the multitude of stories that emerged from final qualifying for the U.S. Open, including Charlie Woods “carrying” the young phenom Miles Russell to Shinnecock. Event of the Week honors had a crowded field to chose from between a national open in Canada, the Curtis Cup, and a Champs tour stop at Wakonda Club in Iowa. LIV heading to CNBC for a pitch, with minimal leverage, and an unclear future, is assessed as a strategy play. Lastly, news covers the PGA Tour officially partnering with the Australian Open and what that means for a global tour. The death of the Rocket Classic in Detroit is also discussed, leading to a few ideas for how the new Track 1 and Track 2 schedule might operate and survive.
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