On July 14th, 2025, we break down rookie Chris Gotterup's stunning victory over Rory McIlroy at the Scottish Open and Talor Gooch's clutch win against Jon Rahm at Liv Golf Andalucía.

• 25-year-old rookie Chris Gotterup stared down fan-favorite Rory McIlroy, embracing the 'villain' role to capture his first PGA Tour title with a clutch final-round 66, securing his future on tour and a spot at The Open.
• "I definitely was the villain out there today." - Chris Gotterup on the crowd dynamic.
• The drama peaked when Gotterup was put on the clock on the 15th hole, leading to a bogey that briefly tightened the race before his decisive birdie on 16.

• At Valderrama, Talor Gooch outdueled hometown hero Jon Rahm, whose flawless, bogey-free 65 was undone by one errant tee shot on the final hole, handing Gooch the one-shot victory in a dramatic Spanish showdown.
• Gooch revealed he received a text from 'Yasir' before the round that simply said, "Don't disappoint me today."
• Despite the heartbreaking individual loss, Rahm still found the winner's circle as his squad, Legion Thirteen, captured the team competition.

Scottie Scheffler's 10th straight top-8 finish • Jake Knapp's nightmare 74 costs him an Open spot • Setting the stage for The Open at Royal Portrush.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Saturday, July 12th, Rory McIlroy surged into a co-lead at the Genesis Scottish Open, while Dustin Johnson fired a historic 64 to jump into solo second at LIV Golf Andalucía.

• Rory McIlroy fired a brilliant 66 to grab a share of the lead with Chris Gotterup at The Renaissance Club. While Rory found his ball-striking form, Gotterup battled through tough conditions to post a gritty 70.
• Supporting Quote: McIlroy on his recent form: "It's been a bit of a lull since the Masters... it's nice to see some better golf."
• Human Angle: Rory joked his new, shorter haircut is making him "look more gray," while chaser Jake Knapp is playing for what he calls a "dream" spot in The Open.

• While Talor Gooch built a commanding four-shot lead at Valderrama, the day belonged to Dustin Johnson. DJ's flawless, bogey-free 64 vaulted him an incredible 39 spots up the leaderboard into solo second place.
• Supporting Quote: DJ on his recent play: "The game's been feeling good... I just haven't really seen the results."
• Human Angle: A visibly emotional Jon Rahm opened up about the immense pressure of playing at home, while Patrick Reed pulled off a "David Copperfield" recovery shot on 17.

Wyndham Clark's putting fix • Justin Thomas nearly aces the 17th • 4Aces GC take the team lead

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On July 12th, 2025, Chris Gotterup fired a course-record-tying 61 to take a two-shot lead at the Genesis Scottish Open, as incredible cutline drama unfolded and LIV Golf formally reapplied for world ranking points.

Chris Gotterup blitzed The Renaissance Club with a bogey-free, nine-under 61, tying the course record to grab a two-shot lead. While the day-one leaders fell back, a chasing pack featuring Matt Fitzpatrick, Ludvig Åberg, and Rory McIlroy emerged.

• Supporting Quote: Rory McIlroy, just four shots back, on his chances: "I'm feeling pretty good."
• Human Angle: Xander Schauffele quietly extended his historic made-cut streak to 68 consecutive events, the sixth-longest in PGA Tour history.

The one-under cutline produced incredible drama. Local hero Robert MacIntyre survived with a near ace on 17, while Jordan Smith holed out for a "miracle" eagle on 16 to make the weekend on the number.

• Supporting Quote: Announcer on Smith's eagle: "How on earth has that stayed in the cup?"
• Human Angle: The heartbreak of Calum Hill, who followed an opening 65 with a 77 to miss the cut, contrasted with the grit of veterans Justin Thomas and Pádraig Harrington who battled to play the weekend.

In a major off-course development, LIV Golf has officially reapplied for Official World Golf Ranking points, a move that could reshape the landscape of professional golf and player eligibility for majors.

• Supporting Quote: OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman confirmed the board is "committed to a thorough evaluation process."
• Human Angle: The potential impact is huge for players like Brooks Koepka, who has fallen to 276th in the world despite his major championship pedigree.

Harry Hall sits solo second • Collin Morikawa misses the cut • Amateur Luke Clanton makes the weekend

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On July 11th, 2025, Round 1 of the Genesis Scottish Open concluded with a four-way tie for the lead, while local heroes Calum Hill and Robert MacIntyre positioned themselves firmly in the hunt.

• A quartet of leaders sits atop the leaderboard at six-under, highlighted by Victor Perez's blistering finish where he birdied four of his last five holes and Jake Knapp's links practice at North Berwick paying immediate dividends.
• Stat: Perez closed with birdies on four of his final five holes to grab a share of the lead.
• Fun Fact: American Jake Knapp credited his sharp play to getting extra links reps in at nearby North Berwick before the tournament began.

• The home crowd has plenty to cheer for as Calum Hill fired a bogey-free 65 to sit one shot back, while defending champion Robert MacIntyre posted a solid two-under, embracing the immense pressure and support.
• Quote: Calum Hill on his wife's advice: "She just said 'this is just another event'... just go and enjoy it more."
• Human Angle: The support for MacIntyre was so strong that World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler admitted he was the clear "crowd favourite" in their group.

• The game's biggest names are in striking distance. Rory McIlroy salvaged his round with three straight birdies to finish, while Scottie Scheffler sits at three-under and Viktor Hovland is just two shots back after a brilliant 66.
• Quote: Scottie Scheffler on playing with MacIntyre: "I feel like I learned some stuff from him out there today."
• Human Angle: Viktor Hovland's round was defined by a massive 50-foot birdie putt that left even him shaking his head in disbelief.

Marcel Siem's new diet • Harris English's caddie visa trouble • Rikuya Hoshino's mid-round WD

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On July 10th, 2025, Jon Rahm publicly campaigned for a Ryder Cup spot, Rory McIlroy returned with a renewed hunger, and Scottie Scheffler detailed his links golf strategy ahead of the majors.

• From a LIV press conference, Jon Rahm made a direct and passionate plea for a spot on the 2025 European Ryder Cup team, outlining his potential paths via automatic qualification or a captain's pick from Luke Donald.
• "I'd like to think that I've played good enough to, if possible, be a pick."
• Rahm called the possibility of playing "Both" a dream and a reality, showcasing his deep desire to represent Europe despite his move to LIV.

• Back in the UK for the Scottish Open, Rory McIlroy debuted a new haircut and a fresh perspective, admitting he needed to "hide in a way" from the PGA Tour grind after his emotional Masters victory.
• "I don't want that to be my last great moment in the game."
• His candid comments and new look signal a mental and physical reset as he prepares for the final major of the season.

• World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler provided a fascinating breakdown of links golf, contrasting its creative demands and multiple shot options with the "singular challenge" presented by the short game at a U.S. Open.
• He noted the variety of links golf, where around the green he might use anything from a wedge down to an eight iron.
• Scheffler's analytical approach reveals the deep thought process of the world's best player as he adapts his game for The Open Championship.

Robert MacIntyre on "through the roof" expectations • Maverick McNealy praises the move to 100 Tour cards • Junior golfer Kai Trump tees it up

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On July 9th, 2025, we dive into the off-course drama heading into the Scottish Open, from Xander Schauffele's injury woes and Harris English's caddie crisis to Robert MacIntyre's incredible redemption story.

• After winning two majors in 2024, Xander Schauffele is battling an intercostal strain and cartilage tear, leading him to call this the "worst year of my career" as he feels he's in "full chase mode, like a kid."
• He joked that his tournament photo being placed by the restrooms "summed up how I feel about what's going on right now."
• Despite his immense success, Schauffele's brutal honesty reveals the mental and physical toll of playing through injury at the highest level.

• Harris English faces a major problem as his caddie of eight years, Eric Larson, was denied a UK visa for a 30-year-old conviction. His backup plan then fell through, leaving him scrambling for a looper for the Opens.
• English questioned the fairness of the situation, asking of his caddie's past, "How long does this stay with him?"
• The scramble highlights the logistical nightmares on tour, with English now needing a "new Plan B" for two of the season's biggest events.

• Robert MacIntyre completes an emotional redemption arc, winning the Scottish Open one year after a heartbreaking loss to Rory McIlroy. He becomes the first Scot to win the home event in 25 years.
• His stunned reaction to Rory's winning putt in 2023 was a simple, disbelieving, "He holed it?"
• The victory is a storybook ending for the local hero, turning the site of his most painful professional memory into the scene of his greatest triumph.

Padraig Harrington's quest for a four-peat at the Dick's Sporting Goods Open is over due to a schedule change.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On July 8th, 2025, we remember the life of Ed "The Tiger Killer" Fiori, break down Collin Morikawa's major caddie change for The Open, and discuss the financial struggles for non-elite Tour pros.

• We pay tribute to four-time PGA Tour winner Ed Fiori, who passed away at 72. We look back at his most famous moment: becoming "The Tiger Killer" by beating a 20-year-old Tiger Woods at the 1996 Quad City Classic.
• Fiori on his legacy: "Even today, people call me the Tiger killer... I'll never forget that weekend at the John Deere."
• Fiori, a journeyman pro, cemented his place in golf history with one incredible weekend, forever linking his name with the game's greatest player right at the start of his professional career.

• Collin Morikawa has hired legendary caddie Billy Foster for a two-week stint at the Scottish Open and The Open. This is a strategic play to tap into Foster's immense links golf knowledge ahead of Royal Portrush.
• This move pairs a two-time major champion with a caddie who has been on the bag for legends like Seve Ballesteros, Lee Westwood, and Matt Fitzpatrick, including for Fitzpatrick's U.S. Open win.
• Is this a short-term "consulting" gig or the start of a new long-term partnership? The pressure is on for this high-profile pairing to deliver immediate results.

• We dive into the harsh financial realities of professional golf. It's not all private jets and massive paychecks; for many, it's a struggle to simply break even on the PGA Tour.
• Bryson DeChambeau: "Players outside the top one hundred sixty five on the money list, is losing money every year." We back this up with an economist's analysis of tour expenses.
• Using Kevin Chappell's 2024 season as an example, we illustrate how even earning six figures on Tour can result in a net financial loss after all expenses are paid.

The Open field is set • Spieth on baby watch & may be a late arrival • Ex-LIV golfer Eugenio Chacarra takes a shot at his former tour.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On July 6th, 2025, Brian Campbell won the John Deere Classic in a dramatic playoff over Emiliano Grillo, completing a powerful narrative at the site of his first PGA Tour start.

• Illinois native Brian Campbell captured his second playoff victory of the season, overcoming a late double bogey with a clutch birdie on 17 to defeat Emiliano Grillo at the very event where his Tour journey began as an amateur.
• "It all started here as an amateur." - Brian Campbell on his full-circle victory.
• The win continued a bizarre trend for Campbell this season, who has either won or finished outside the top 30 in every start.

• While Max Homa found the "butterflies" again, finishing T-5 for his first top-10 in 15 months after a self-described "terrible year," it was a day of heartbreak for others, including Emiliano Grillo, who lost the playoff after a bad break.
• 54-hole leader Davis Thompson collapsed with a final-round 72, while David Lipsky went from eagle on 17 to a bogey on 18 to miss the playoff by one.
• "Kid's strong, man. Whatever he does in life, he's gonna kill it." - Zach Johnson on 15-year-old amputee Carter Henning.

Bananas scoring on soft greens • Career-best T-3 for Kevin Roy • Amateur Jackson Koivun impresses with a T-11 finish

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.