The Shotgun Start Podcast

Andy and Brendan went live in front of a studio audience at Local Remedy Brewing in Oakmont to recap the second round of the 2025 U.S. Open. They discuss an... interesting... leaderboard heading into the weekend, headlined by Sam Burns after a Friday 65. The two share some worry about the current situations unfolding and debate what the best-case and worst-case scenarios are come Sunday night. They two then run through the big names who won't see the weekend, including Bryson DeChambeau, Shane Lowry, and Ludvig berg. There's some scuttlebutt from the grounds, some live audience interaction, and much more whimsy on this Friday the 13th recording.

After a day on the ground at Oakmont, Andy and Brendan went live to share their thoughts from the first round of the 2025 U.S. Open. J.J. Spaun is in the lead at -4, so the two first debate who the "real" leader of the tournament is. Andy settles on a resurgent Brooks Koepka, sitting at -2, and is eyeing Jon Rahm at -1 a bit further down the board. Brendan shares some takeaways from following Spaun's second nine before transitioning to some course talk. The two discuss Thursday's pin placements, the setup "begging" for a fluke winner, and have some rough thoughts percolating already. Scottie, Rory, and Bryson are covered, with each finishing the first round over par. Games Within the Game are updated after some early commanding leads as well. Big Shot Bob MacIntyre had some critical quotes following his even-par round and Brendan loved what he was hearing. To close things out, the two look ahead to Friday and where the cutline might end up.

Andy and Brendan are bouncing after a full two days at Oakmont and ready to debrief in this burly episode previewing the 2025 U.S. Open. They begin with some initial thoughts on Pittsburgh and their first couple days at Oakmont. Theres a wide ranging discussion on the golf course and some of the immediate impressions on just how difficult it will be, where it will pop the best, how to avoid disasters, and if it can get away with tricks just based on its reputation. They run through some of the favorites like Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy, and Jon Rahm and some of the amusing, alarming, and affirming quotes and trends from top players. As is tradition, they run through their favorite tee times, and offer the worst tee time for the first two rounds. They empty out the notebook with other delights and scuttlebutt from the ground before bringing in The Boys to chat about their interview with Cam Young, a day caddying alongside Bryson, and a debate over some games within the game. Theres also a big announcement about a new SGS endeavor coming next week with CBS Sports.

This quick Sunday episode was recorded right after the "pillow fight" of a playoff between Ryan Fox and Sam Burns at the 2025 RBC Canadian Open. Andy is ecstatic about Foxy's victory Monday and subsequent move into the top 35 in the OWGR, hoping that this could get him a spot on the International Team for next year's Presidents Cup. Brendan and Andy recap an SGS-filled top of the leaderboard at TPC Toronto that ended in one of the worst playoffs in PGA Tour history. PJ is called on to explain Cameron Young's Sunday round and blowup on the 72nd hole but he claims this was positive momentum heading into the U.S. Open. A premature game of Oakmont Contender or Pretender is played following Rory's adventurous week with his driver and Phil's near-win at LIV Virginia. Brendan received some on-the-ground intel from RTJ, where Joaquin Niemann won yet again. The show wraps with some Oakmont chatter about rough content, a weekend of rain, and excitement for what's to come in the week ahead at the 125th United States Open.

We are wishing a happy June 6th to you and yours, wherever you may be! Brendan barely has a voice but is still ready to celebrate the second anniversary of the Framework Agreement with Andy on this fine Friday episode. The two open with a lengthy discussion about the future of LIV Golf and the current status of this 731 day-old agreement between the PIF and PGA Tour. They debate whether the two sides ever actually come together and if not, what the best path forward is for everyone involved. From there, this is a bit of an Oakmont preview episode ahead of the 125th U.S. Open next week. Andy has Brendan and PJ attempt to place the top of the field into tiers, with some commentary on players such as Ludvig Åberg, Joaquin Niemann, and Justin Rose. Andy also goes down the list a bit to find a deep sleeper who has the short game to win a U.S. Open at a course like Oakmont. Brendan turns back the clock for a Flashback Friday on the 2016 U.S. Open and the rules controversy that loomed over Dustin Johnson's final round. He shares some tweets from Rory, Spieth, and even Rickie who were watching live and were not pleased with the USGA's handling of the situation. To close things out, Joseph LaMagna stops by bring Ernie Els's 1994 U.S. Open win into question after discovering some sketchy drops during the final round.