1 00:00:03,320 --> 00:00:07,040 Speaker 1: If you dig into the numbers, I just don't see 2 00:00:08,160 --> 00:00:12,680 Speaker 1: how twenty and twenty five million dollars purses and five 3 00:00:12,720 --> 00:00:14,880 Speaker 1: million dollars paid days. I just don't see how that 4 00:00:15,080 --> 00:00:17,880 Speaker 1: is sustainable when the tournament is just not the compelling. 5 00:00:18,200 --> 00:00:23,360 Speaker 1: Who's going to be watching? I got thoughts in my head. 6 00:00:24,040 --> 00:00:30,960 Speaker 1: Can't get John not think what I'm thinking about my head, 7 00:00:31,640 --> 00:00:44,600 Speaker 1: can't get them out, Jo think what I'm thinking about. Hello, 8 00:00:44,720 --> 00:00:48,400 Speaker 1: this is Alan Chip Knock back for another fire Drill podcast. 9 00:00:48,840 --> 00:00:52,040 Speaker 1: We have Michael Bamberger coming in hot from pontavidra beats 10 00:00:52,159 --> 00:00:55,760 Speaker 1: the final round of the players. I just read your story, Michael, 11 00:00:55,760 --> 00:00:58,640 Speaker 1: which is going to populate on Firepit Collective dot com 12 00:00:58,680 --> 00:01:02,800 Speaker 1: any second now. I love the way you talked about Scottie. 13 00:01:02,800 --> 00:01:05,280 Speaker 1: Scheffler is a throwback, the way he moves, the way 14 00:01:05,280 --> 00:01:09,240 Speaker 1: he plays, the way he carries himself. You know, we've 15 00:01:09,280 --> 00:01:11,399 Speaker 1: been it's been almost a year now since his Master's win, 16 00:01:11,480 --> 00:01:14,479 Speaker 1: and we're still getting to know Scheffler. But what what 17 00:01:14,600 --> 00:01:16,560 Speaker 1: is You seem to have some affection for the guy. 18 00:01:16,600 --> 00:01:18,399 Speaker 1: What do you think about his performance today and his 19 00:01:18,480 --> 00:01:21,679 Speaker 1: place in the game right now? I like your use 20 00:01:21,720 --> 00:01:25,160 Speaker 1: of the phrase we seem to be getting to know Scheffler, 21 00:01:26,040 --> 00:01:28,800 Speaker 1: as if there is a Scheffler that one can get 22 00:01:28,840 --> 00:01:34,199 Speaker 1: to know. In other words, I don't have the sense 23 00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:36,880 Speaker 1: that he's very complicated person. I do have this sense 24 00:01:36,880 --> 00:01:39,520 Speaker 1: that he's a very intelligent person, but not someone who 25 00:01:39,560 --> 00:01:42,320 Speaker 1: makes things more complicated than they are. But like early 26 00:01:42,360 --> 00:01:44,920 Speaker 1: on before we even like heard him press conferences, who thought, 27 00:01:44,920 --> 00:01:47,160 Speaker 1: oh this guy's a dullart. He's not a dullart at all. 28 00:01:47,440 --> 00:01:50,560 Speaker 1: He's a thoughtful He just seems like a thoughtful, kind 29 00:01:50,640 --> 00:01:53,880 Speaker 1: considerate person who's outstanding at golf and doesn't care that 30 00:01:53,960 --> 00:02:00,400 Speaker 1: a swing is you know, not textbook forever reason he 31 00:02:00,480 --> 00:02:05,480 Speaker 1: doesn't inspire you with awe like a Rory or Dustin 32 00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:10,720 Speaker 1: Johnson or John ram Like definitely a level below that 33 00:02:11,080 --> 00:02:14,480 Speaker 1: just in terms of how he goes about his business 34 00:02:14,520 --> 00:02:17,120 Speaker 1: and the shots that he plays. But how can you 35 00:02:17,320 --> 00:02:20,519 Speaker 1: argue with the masters contending all the time now a 36 00:02:20,639 --> 00:02:26,840 Speaker 1: players and six wins in thirteen months. Yeah, incredible end, 37 00:02:26,960 --> 00:02:29,600 Speaker 1: if you know. To me, it was really the Ryder 38 00:02:29,680 --> 00:02:32,480 Speaker 1: Cup was when that was the breakthrough watching him. You know, 39 00:02:32,600 --> 00:02:35,840 Speaker 1: John rom was was playing some of the best golf 40 00:02:35,880 --> 00:02:37,760 Speaker 1: in the in the history of mankind that week and 41 00:02:37,840 --> 00:02:41,760 Speaker 1: Scheffler took him down and singles, and that was to 42 00:02:41,760 --> 00:02:43,680 Speaker 1: me the beginning of the ascent. So yeah, I mean 43 00:02:43,680 --> 00:02:44,959 Speaker 1: he's been doing it now for a year and a 44 00:02:45,000 --> 00:02:49,000 Speaker 1: half straight. And five birdies with the with the players, 45 00:02:49,080 --> 00:02:51,440 Speaker 1: five birdies in a row with the players championship hanging 46 00:02:51,480 --> 00:02:54,639 Speaker 1: in the balance, I mean, that's pretty spectacular. And um, 47 00:02:54,880 --> 00:02:56,840 Speaker 1: what was what was the feeling like there at at 48 00:02:56,960 --> 00:03:01,520 Speaker 1: the stadium courts? For just my personal feeling is if 49 00:03:01,520 --> 00:03:04,320 Speaker 1: you see him over a six footer and we're playing maker, miss, 50 00:03:05,320 --> 00:03:09,480 Speaker 1: I find myself saying miss, more than make, they go 51 00:03:09,520 --> 00:03:10,919 Speaker 1: in one hundred percent when he wins, they go in 52 00:03:10,880 --> 00:03:12,760 Speaker 1: one hundred percent of the time they don't go in. 53 00:03:13,320 --> 00:03:16,080 Speaker 1: You know, as you have observed alan of Tiger, like 54 00:03:16,160 --> 00:03:17,840 Speaker 1: Tiger would be annoyed if they didn't go in the 55 00:03:17,919 --> 00:03:20,000 Speaker 1: right part of the hole. This guy seems to be 56 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:21,399 Speaker 1: happy if it goes in any part of the whole. 57 00:03:22,200 --> 00:03:26,840 Speaker 1: It's not it's not it's just not beautiful, but it's uh, 58 00:03:27,360 --> 00:03:30,799 Speaker 1: it's great. And I am definitely I'm just trying to 59 00:03:30,840 --> 00:03:34,000 Speaker 1: speak honestly about him, but I'm definitely in the fan camp. 60 00:03:34,040 --> 00:03:39,240 Speaker 1: I root for this guy. I love the fact that he, uh, 61 00:03:39,360 --> 00:03:42,280 Speaker 1: he doesn't talk about money. He doesn't. You know, Rory's 62 00:03:42,320 --> 00:03:46,720 Speaker 1: got a role in this game right now, and the 63 00:03:46,760 --> 00:03:51,360 Speaker 1: subtext of that role is hard for a lot of 64 00:03:51,400 --> 00:03:53,080 Speaker 1: people to swallow when you get right down to it, 65 00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:58,200 Speaker 1: which is the elite golfers have to get paid more money. Now. 66 00:03:58,440 --> 00:04:01,480 Speaker 1: I don't know how Scottish Scheffer is player, couldn't think that, 67 00:04:02,040 --> 00:04:07,840 Speaker 1: but he's not. He's the beneficiary of Rory's conversation and 68 00:04:08,080 --> 00:04:12,320 Speaker 1: fills outbursts and sawty billions and all the rest. But 69 00:04:13,200 --> 00:04:16,360 Speaker 1: he's sort of either risen above it or is floating 70 00:04:16,360 --> 00:04:19,800 Speaker 1: aside it. I'm not sure how you would describe it, 71 00:04:20,600 --> 00:04:23,040 Speaker 1: but it's just not a central part of his character, 72 00:04:23,160 --> 00:04:27,880 Speaker 1: and it's it's very winning. What do you think on yeah, 73 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:31,039 Speaker 1: or he just won four point six million dollars and 74 00:04:31,480 --> 00:04:33,280 Speaker 1: any normal human being would be like, this is a 75 00:04:33,360 --> 00:04:35,840 Speaker 1: new crum about of money. I am so stoked, Like 76 00:04:36,120 --> 00:04:38,240 Speaker 1: I don't need to ask for more, I don't need 77 00:04:38,279 --> 00:04:40,680 Speaker 1: to throw a fit, like I'm so happy. I think, 78 00:04:41,240 --> 00:04:42,800 Speaker 1: I think to your point, and he's kind of a 79 00:04:42,839 --> 00:04:46,280 Speaker 1: normal guy. It's like he must be in disbelief the 80 00:04:46,320 --> 00:04:49,480 Speaker 1: amount of money he's won in thirteen months, tens of 81 00:04:49,520 --> 00:04:52,240 Speaker 1: millions of dollars. I think what you just said, Alan 82 00:04:52,279 --> 00:04:58,080 Speaker 1: just speaks to a relatively not relatively a normal value system. 83 00:04:58,160 --> 00:05:01,360 Speaker 1: You know, how much does any person need? And uh, 84 00:05:02,279 --> 00:05:05,160 Speaker 1: you know, of course part of his thing for us. 85 00:05:06,320 --> 00:05:10,599 Speaker 1: You know, he's twenty six and he has him been 86 00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:12,800 Speaker 1: around very long, so it's not like, well, we've been 87 00:05:12,800 --> 00:05:15,039 Speaker 1: seeing this scar for years, like Rory's young, but he 88 00:05:15,080 --> 00:05:17,480 Speaker 1: has been around for a long time. But he really 89 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:23,120 Speaker 1: truly seems like he's well into his mid mid thirties. Hum, 90 00:05:23,960 --> 00:05:27,240 Speaker 1: did did you uh? Did happen to notice the comparison 91 00:05:27,320 --> 00:05:31,760 Speaker 1: to Steve Jones? I loved that. Yeah. In Michael's story 92 00:05:31,800 --> 00:05:34,800 Speaker 1: he talked about how how Shuffler moves and looks like 93 00:05:34,839 --> 00:05:37,599 Speaker 1: Steve Jones and has the same no nonsense, Because the 94 00:05:37,760 --> 00:05:41,159 Speaker 1: ninety six US Open Oakland Hills was my second ever 95 00:05:41,320 --> 00:05:46,560 Speaker 1: US Open And oh wow was that ninety six? Yeah? Yeah, 96 00:05:46,640 --> 00:05:49,599 Speaker 1: it's burned into my brain. And I had honestly never 97 00:05:49,680 --> 00:05:51,719 Speaker 1: even heard of Steve Jones going into that week. You know, 98 00:05:51,720 --> 00:05:54,480 Speaker 1: he'd had that finger injury and he'd kind of fallen off. 99 00:05:54,480 --> 00:05:57,440 Speaker 1: And I was so impressed by the guy. He just seemed, 100 00:05:57,960 --> 00:05:59,960 Speaker 1: as you're saying, he just seemed like a regular dude 101 00:06:00,480 --> 00:06:03,400 Speaker 1: who was really really good at golf. And that was 102 00:06:03,440 --> 00:06:06,240 Speaker 1: the the US Opener. Everyone came apart. You know, Davis 103 00:06:06,240 --> 00:06:08,360 Speaker 1: loved three putt of the same second hole and Tom 104 00:06:08,440 --> 00:06:11,320 Speaker 1: Layman messed up the last hole and Jones just was 105 00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:13,440 Speaker 1: just played golf and got it done. And I think 106 00:06:13,480 --> 00:06:17,200 Speaker 1: it's a fabulous comparison. They there is a similarity there. 107 00:06:17,920 --> 00:06:22,240 Speaker 1: I mean Steve Jones broad shoulder, lankiness and uh yeah, 108 00:06:22,320 --> 00:06:25,240 Speaker 1: you know Steve. What was Steve's thing? Later? Did he 109 00:06:25,279 --> 00:06:28,320 Speaker 1: fall off of a motorbiker or something? And everyone was 110 00:06:28,360 --> 00:06:30,279 Speaker 1: really quite the same after that, but that he was 111 00:06:30,640 --> 00:06:35,360 Speaker 1: he was the super talent. Well, no, that predated, that predated, 112 00:06:35,520 --> 00:06:38,240 Speaker 1: and he had to learn to play golf again. Yeah, 113 00:06:38,279 --> 00:06:40,760 Speaker 1: and but that was for a guy like Steve Jones, 114 00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:43,320 Speaker 1: winning the US Open was the pinnacle. And I think 115 00:06:43,320 --> 00:06:45,480 Speaker 1: at that point he was content. But I think Scottie 116 00:06:45,480 --> 00:06:48,840 Speaker 1: Scheffler it you can't get the number one in the 117 00:06:48,839 --> 00:06:51,800 Speaker 1: world that having like a deep reservoir of ambition. But 118 00:06:52,720 --> 00:06:55,360 Speaker 1: you know, John John Ram obsesses about being number one, 119 00:06:55,520 --> 00:06:58,760 Speaker 1: and it meant a lot to Dustin. You know, he 120 00:06:58,800 --> 00:07:02,280 Speaker 1: was very prideful about it, and you know, Tiger and 121 00:07:02,320 --> 00:07:05,200 Speaker 1: those guys Like I don't think Scottischeff like cares about 122 00:07:05,240 --> 00:07:07,000 Speaker 1: that stuff so much. He just wants to hit golf 123 00:07:07,000 --> 00:07:08,800 Speaker 1: shots and get the ball in the hole as fast 124 00:07:08,839 --> 00:07:10,960 Speaker 1: as possible. And if you do that at the level 125 00:07:11,040 --> 00:07:13,560 Speaker 1: he's doing it, everything comes your way, the money, the 126 00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:16,560 Speaker 1: world ranking points, the fame, the glory. But if you 127 00:07:16,640 --> 00:07:18,560 Speaker 1: focus on those things, it's easy to lose your way. 128 00:07:18,640 --> 00:07:21,080 Speaker 1: So he seems to have just the absolute perfect disposition, 129 00:07:21,160 --> 00:07:23,400 Speaker 1: like I'm just going to play golf and whatever comes 130 00:07:23,440 --> 00:07:27,320 Speaker 1: my way, I'm going to enjoy. So it's impressive. Yeah, 131 00:07:27,440 --> 00:07:32,200 Speaker 1: that that obsessive interests with becoming number one. It's insane 132 00:07:33,560 --> 00:07:35,760 Speaker 1: because see, it means that you're putting so much faith 133 00:07:36,200 --> 00:07:39,360 Speaker 1: in the architects of the system in the first place, 134 00:07:39,720 --> 00:07:42,920 Speaker 1: putting more faith in them than you are what you've achieved. 135 00:07:44,040 --> 00:07:46,000 Speaker 1: I mean to me, what's fun right now is you 136 00:07:46,040 --> 00:07:48,720 Speaker 1: can argue John Ram, you can arguist Scottish Shopper if 137 00:07:48,720 --> 00:07:52,080 Speaker 1: you cared do you can argue Roarriors or somebody else. 138 00:07:52,680 --> 00:07:55,000 Speaker 1: But that's part of the fun of being a sports fan. 139 00:07:55,480 --> 00:08:02,720 Speaker 1: I don't need a computer driven log log rhythmic explanation 140 00:08:02,800 --> 00:08:08,160 Speaker 1: of who number one is decided. Yeah, it's it's it's 141 00:08:08,160 --> 00:08:10,760 Speaker 1: all about math, and they change it every couple of years, 142 00:08:10,760 --> 00:08:12,640 Speaker 1: so it is. It is funny when people obsessed about 143 00:08:12,640 --> 00:08:14,840 Speaker 1: like you're literally these guys couldn't even pass algebra in 144 00:08:14,920 --> 00:08:16,440 Speaker 1: high school and now all they care about is a 145 00:08:16,440 --> 00:08:18,640 Speaker 1: math equasy and it makes no sense at all. But 146 00:08:18,960 --> 00:08:22,440 Speaker 1: have you ever have you ever heard a real number 147 00:08:22,480 --> 00:08:25,400 Speaker 1: about what a guy gets contractually, what it might mean 148 00:08:25,440 --> 00:08:28,440 Speaker 1: to him to become the number one player for a week, 149 00:08:28,480 --> 00:08:31,360 Speaker 1: and then you know, I'm sure beyond that. The more 150 00:08:31,360 --> 00:08:33,559 Speaker 1: weeks you have that, the more money you're gonna make. 151 00:08:34,160 --> 00:08:36,440 Speaker 1: It's a real bonus and a lot of contracts, and 152 00:08:36,440 --> 00:08:38,400 Speaker 1: it can be half a million, it can be a million. 153 00:08:38,440 --> 00:08:42,120 Speaker 1: I mean, it's not inconsequential. But again, if you're getting 154 00:08:42,120 --> 00:08:44,120 Speaker 1: to world number one, you're winning so many tournaments and 155 00:08:44,200 --> 00:08:45,760 Speaker 1: making so much money, I don't think that bonus is 156 00:08:45,800 --> 00:08:49,280 Speaker 1: going to change your life. But to the point about 157 00:08:49,360 --> 00:08:52,400 Speaker 1: number one, it's quite an interesting debate because you know, 158 00:08:52,520 --> 00:08:55,440 Speaker 1: Rory has been playing at an incredibly high level, John 159 00:08:55,520 --> 00:08:58,960 Speaker 1: Ram has been on a tear. But if you're going 160 00:08:59,040 --> 00:09:01,439 Speaker 1: to really debate who's number one to me, it comes 161 00:09:01,440 --> 00:09:06,600 Speaker 1: down to cam Smith and Scottie Seffler, because they've each 162 00:09:06,640 --> 00:09:09,079 Speaker 1: have won the crown jewel of the sport in the 163 00:09:09,160 --> 00:09:11,840 Speaker 1: last twelve months, a green jacket and an old course 164 00:09:11,880 --> 00:09:14,360 Speaker 1: at the Open. They've also each is one of players, 165 00:09:14,880 --> 00:09:17,360 Speaker 1: and obviously we haven't seen a lot of Smith, but 166 00:09:17,400 --> 00:09:19,720 Speaker 1: he went down to Australia in December. He won down there, 167 00:09:20,240 --> 00:09:23,480 Speaker 1: like so it's funny that there's been so much focus 168 00:09:23,480 --> 00:09:25,600 Speaker 1: on Rom and Rory, but I think they're looking at 169 00:09:25,600 --> 00:09:28,520 Speaker 1: the wrong guys. I mean, if if I had to 170 00:09:28,559 --> 00:09:31,280 Speaker 1: pick one dude to go out and win a tournament 171 00:09:31,360 --> 00:09:33,040 Speaker 1: right now to save my life, it's gonna be It's 172 00:09:33,080 --> 00:09:35,160 Speaker 1: probably gonna be Scottie Seffler, and number two is probably 173 00:09:35,200 --> 00:09:37,760 Speaker 1: cam Smith depending on the setup. Even though I love 174 00:09:37,880 --> 00:09:40,880 Speaker 1: Rory and I love Rom's game, but they're get The 175 00:09:40,920 --> 00:09:42,840 Speaker 1: other two guys are just getting it done when it matters, 176 00:09:42,840 --> 00:09:46,440 Speaker 1: most more recently so. But it's quite a conversation because 177 00:09:46,440 --> 00:09:50,280 Speaker 1: you have you have four Strawn candidates. Snape, I'm right 178 00:09:50,320 --> 00:09:52,439 Speaker 1: there with you, and I would probably as you say, 179 00:09:52,440 --> 00:09:55,640 Speaker 1: it would really depend on the course, but I would 180 00:09:55,640 --> 00:09:59,280 Speaker 1: say this, the tricker and shorter the course, the more 181 00:09:59,400 --> 00:10:02,760 Speaker 1: I'm going down the cam Smith road and for really 182 00:10:02,960 --> 00:10:06,160 Speaker 1: for real lung for for a master's pick. If you 183 00:10:06,160 --> 00:10:09,440 Speaker 1: could only choose between those two, this is whacking for 184 00:10:09,520 --> 00:10:12,360 Speaker 1: me to say, Uh, I would go with cam Smith. 185 00:10:12,440 --> 00:10:14,199 Speaker 1: I mean when you can ship and pitch and put 186 00:10:14,200 --> 00:10:21,520 Speaker 1: like he can, hits it plenty far enough, it would 187 00:10:21,520 --> 00:10:24,320 Speaker 1: be amazing for those who are for anybody who's writing 188 00:10:24,320 --> 00:10:26,200 Speaker 1: a book about live golf. If Cam Smith shall win 189 00:10:26,240 --> 00:10:29,680 Speaker 1: the Masters. I can't say I'm rooting for it because 190 00:10:29,800 --> 00:10:32,439 Speaker 1: you know, as you know Alan, that we've discussed many times. 191 00:10:32,800 --> 00:10:35,679 Speaker 1: Really a traditionalist at our heart, But I don't know 192 00:10:35,720 --> 00:10:38,680 Speaker 1: that Cam Smith and full you know. And I saw 193 00:10:38,720 --> 00:10:42,080 Speaker 1: it up close at the Old Course, uh in last 194 00:10:42,120 --> 00:10:44,360 Speaker 1: year at the Players. It's one of the It's one 195 00:10:44,360 --> 00:10:46,600 Speaker 1: of the best you'll ever see. It's a little wild 196 00:10:46,920 --> 00:10:49,959 Speaker 1: driving at times, but for getting in the hole, it's 197 00:10:50,040 --> 00:10:53,679 Speaker 1: it's at the aloptable Sevy level. Yeah, so a fe 198 00:10:53,679 --> 00:10:55,560 Speaker 1: people have meet the Tom Watson comparison, which I like 199 00:10:55,640 --> 00:10:58,040 Speaker 1: as well. Yeah, but how about for you, Alan, if 200 00:10:58,080 --> 00:11:01,600 Speaker 1: you could, leaving aside your book interests, if you could, 201 00:11:01,600 --> 00:11:03,960 Speaker 1: if you as a as a gambler, if you could 202 00:11:03,960 --> 00:11:07,679 Speaker 1: only if your only choice was Scheffler or Smith Um, 203 00:11:08,360 --> 00:11:11,480 Speaker 1: which are those two golfers would you pick to win 204 00:11:11,480 --> 00:11:17,800 Speaker 1: the Masters, Well, if if the course is really firm 205 00:11:17,800 --> 00:11:21,760 Speaker 1: and fast, it's Smith every time. Um, if they get 206 00:11:21,760 --> 00:11:23,920 Speaker 1: the you know the early week showers, which seems to 207 00:11:23,920 --> 00:11:26,600 Speaker 1: factor in a lot of Masters, and it just takes 208 00:11:26,640 --> 00:11:29,920 Speaker 1: a little fire out, I would go Scheffler. But Scheffler 209 00:11:30,040 --> 00:11:33,440 Speaker 1: still has a genius for scoring. I mean, he just 210 00:11:34,080 --> 00:11:36,360 Speaker 1: he just has a knack for pulling off the shot 211 00:11:36,520 --> 00:11:38,920 Speaker 1: when you need to. And I mean you could see 212 00:11:38,920 --> 00:11:43,440 Speaker 1: it today during the final round. It's I mean there's there, 213 00:11:43,600 --> 00:11:46,920 Speaker 1: there's sluggers and you watch them hit the ball and 214 00:11:47,000 --> 00:11:50,079 Speaker 1: it's all inspiring and they shoot seventy one. And then 215 00:11:50,080 --> 00:11:52,800 Speaker 1: there's a guy like Scottie Scheffler who's whose foot works 216 00:11:52,800 --> 00:11:56,079 Speaker 1: all over the plays who the club's flying and weird. 217 00:11:56,160 --> 00:11:58,000 Speaker 1: But he just he plays shots and he gets the 218 00:11:58,000 --> 00:12:00,680 Speaker 1: ball in the hole really fast. And I don't think 219 00:12:00,920 --> 00:12:02,640 Speaker 1: you know, if you if you put Scotti Sheffler on 220 00:12:02,640 --> 00:12:05,160 Speaker 1: the range at a corn Ferry event, people would think 221 00:12:05,200 --> 00:12:06,920 Speaker 1: he's probably a hundredth on the money list. You know, 222 00:12:07,160 --> 00:12:09,360 Speaker 1: is not as you said, it's not beautiful, but he 223 00:12:09,559 --> 00:12:11,800 Speaker 1: just he just knows how to score and he knows 224 00:12:11,880 --> 00:12:13,920 Speaker 1: how to do it. When it matters, and it's camp 225 00:12:13,920 --> 00:12:15,520 Speaker 1: Smith's the same way. I mean that that's a certain 226 00:12:15,600 --> 00:12:18,240 Speaker 1: level of genius and I'm not sure even Rory has that. 227 00:12:18,440 --> 00:12:21,480 Speaker 1: You know, he can overpower a golf course. But you 228 00:12:21,480 --> 00:12:24,480 Speaker 1: know I walked every every hole with him at the 229 00:12:24,480 --> 00:12:28,920 Speaker 1: Old Course on Sunday, and that was all about scoring. 230 00:12:29,200 --> 00:12:31,600 Speaker 1: You know, you're gonna drive it near the green on 231 00:12:31,679 --> 00:12:34,640 Speaker 1: half the par fours at least, and he couldn't get 232 00:12:34,640 --> 00:12:36,600 Speaker 1: it up and down and camp Smith could and that 233 00:12:36,640 --> 00:12:39,400 Speaker 1: was really the difference. I mean, there's just you know, 234 00:12:39,480 --> 00:12:41,680 Speaker 1: Jordan Spieth when he's playing well, he's got that. There's 235 00:12:42,120 --> 00:12:44,959 Speaker 1: there's a magic to the scoring that it's hard to 236 00:12:45,040 --> 00:12:47,840 Speaker 1: quantify even with shot link and Scottie Sheffler has it. 237 00:12:47,840 --> 00:12:50,800 Speaker 1: It's just really fun to watch. Alan might post your 238 00:12:50,920 --> 00:12:57,800 Speaker 1: question too apropos of the evening. Yes, why are there 239 00:12:57,960 --> 00:13:01,559 Speaker 1: so few good golf moves? And one might say there 240 00:13:01,559 --> 00:13:07,200 Speaker 1: are none? Yeah, it is Academy Awards night. You may 241 00:13:07,240 --> 00:13:10,040 Speaker 1: hear some shouting in the background. That's my daughter's watching 242 00:13:10,080 --> 00:13:12,280 Speaker 1: and they're very invested in who wins and loses some 243 00:13:12,320 --> 00:13:17,760 Speaker 1: of these categories, which is cute. Um, It's just part 244 00:13:17,760 --> 00:13:20,440 Speaker 1: of it is because it's such a highly specific skill 245 00:13:20,720 --> 00:13:27,480 Speaker 1: and no actor can can master it right, Like, I 246 00:13:27,520 --> 00:13:31,480 Speaker 1: don't know, it just it lacks that that versimilitude, right, 247 00:13:31,720 --> 00:13:38,520 Speaker 1: And what's compelling about golf is the inner game, which 248 00:13:38,559 --> 00:13:41,720 Speaker 1: is hard to capture, and it's that that sense of 249 00:13:41,760 --> 00:13:44,080 Speaker 1: when a big moment and it's dead quiet and the 250 00:13:44,080 --> 00:13:46,840 Speaker 1: whole world's watching, and it's just it's so the battle 251 00:13:46,920 --> 00:13:51,120 Speaker 1: is so internal. And you know, the sports movies that work, 252 00:13:51,800 --> 00:13:55,680 Speaker 1: they're funny, like Bull Durham or there there's a lot 253 00:13:55,679 --> 00:13:59,880 Speaker 1: of they're heavy, like Raging Bull or I don't know. 254 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:03,280 Speaker 1: I don't think golf has those notes that well. I 255 00:14:03,280 --> 00:14:05,959 Speaker 1: mean Tin Cup kind of Tin Cup worked as almost 256 00:14:05,960 --> 00:14:08,000 Speaker 1: as like you know, it's sort of like comedy that 257 00:14:08,240 --> 00:14:10,959 Speaker 1: the golf was a vehicle for it. I guess it's 258 00:14:10,960 --> 00:14:14,080 Speaker 1: a golf movie, but I don't take the golf seriously. 259 00:14:14,200 --> 00:14:16,439 Speaker 1: I mean, because no one's gonna do that in the 260 00:14:16,520 --> 00:14:18,040 Speaker 1: last hole of the US Open. You're gonna lay it 261 00:14:18,080 --> 00:14:21,280 Speaker 1: up and you're gonna try and win the tournament. But anyway, 262 00:14:21,480 --> 00:14:23,520 Speaker 1: I don't know the answer. What's what's your what's your 263 00:14:23,600 --> 00:14:26,760 Speaker 1: thinking on that? Michael? I mean, I like, even though 264 00:14:26,800 --> 00:14:29,760 Speaker 1: I cite Caddysheck all the time. And I know the movie, well, 265 00:14:30,160 --> 00:14:33,640 Speaker 1: I really think it's a it's of course it's so 266 00:14:33,720 --> 00:14:36,520 Speaker 1: bad it's good. It's in that category. As our friend 267 00:14:36,560 --> 00:14:39,080 Speaker 1: and colleague Gary Vinciglers would say, it's so bad it's good. 268 00:14:39,120 --> 00:14:41,880 Speaker 1: It really is so bad that it's good, but so 269 00:14:42,040 --> 00:14:45,320 Speaker 1: but short of Caddyshack. And there are some clever moments 270 00:14:45,320 --> 00:14:48,720 Speaker 1: in Caddysheck, you know, it's just it is the thing 271 00:14:48,760 --> 00:14:51,560 Speaker 1: onto itself. A sorry from caddy check. There's really not 272 00:14:51,720 --> 00:14:56,400 Speaker 1: one golf movie that I would that I've even bothered 273 00:14:56,440 --> 00:14:59,000 Speaker 1: to watch more than more than a second time. You know, 274 00:14:59,160 --> 00:15:03,080 Speaker 1: Tommy's Honor tried so hard but was so earnest Uh 275 00:15:03,560 --> 00:15:06,400 Speaker 1: tin cup with or all over the lot. Let's not 276 00:15:06,520 --> 00:15:08,680 Speaker 1: even talk about that. If we may say the name 277 00:15:08,760 --> 00:15:12,080 Speaker 1: that Will Smith dripping molasses thing, what was that called 278 00:15:12,080 --> 00:15:15,680 Speaker 1: the legend of back of Vance, You know, I don't 279 00:15:15,720 --> 00:15:19,720 Speaker 1: say the name from the fiftiesus heinous with john Ford 280 00:15:20,000 --> 00:15:24,320 Speaker 1: takes his name. Uh. Did you ever see Alan? Uh? 281 00:15:25,400 --> 00:15:27,440 Speaker 1: And I know this hits close to home for us. 282 00:15:28,480 --> 00:15:31,360 Speaker 1: I've never saw it. There is a there is a 283 00:15:31,400 --> 00:15:33,640 Speaker 1: movie version of Golf in the Kingdom. Are you from 284 00:15:33,680 --> 00:15:36,400 Speaker 1: the everything. Have you seen it? Oh yeah, yeah, it 285 00:15:36,440 --> 00:15:38,360 Speaker 1: was filmed. It was filmed at Bandon Dunes, and the 286 00:15:38,400 --> 00:15:42,480 Speaker 1: early Bandon had just was like just raw basically, And 287 00:15:43,760 --> 00:15:45,880 Speaker 1: I have watched it. It's kind of a mess in 288 00:15:46,280 --> 00:15:48,080 Speaker 1: not in a terrible way, because the book is like 289 00:15:48,120 --> 00:15:49,560 Speaker 1: that as well. I mean the second half of the 290 00:15:49,560 --> 00:15:56,240 Speaker 1: book especially, Um it's it's it's worth watching and you 291 00:15:56,240 --> 00:15:58,720 Speaker 1: should probably microdose mushroom as while you do it. It's 292 00:15:58,760 --> 00:16:04,360 Speaker 1: just it's metaphysical and kind of trippy, but it's worthwhile. 293 00:16:05,040 --> 00:16:08,640 Speaker 1: I don't know. I think the actual drama of golf 294 00:16:08,720 --> 00:16:11,160 Speaker 1: is so compelling, Like if you watched our five episodes 295 00:16:11,200 --> 00:16:12,840 Speaker 1: of the Grind, which you can find on the Firepit 296 00:16:12,920 --> 00:16:16,720 Speaker 1: YouTube or on our homepage, Like that human drama is 297 00:16:17,000 --> 00:16:20,960 Speaker 1: so compelling if you if you follow you know some 298 00:16:21,000 --> 00:16:23,440 Speaker 1: of these stories of these guys are they're playing for 299 00:16:23,480 --> 00:16:28,600 Speaker 1: their livelihood. Um it's it's such raw human emotion and 300 00:16:29,720 --> 00:16:32,960 Speaker 1: so it just it doesn't quite translate to the screen. 301 00:16:33,040 --> 00:16:36,120 Speaker 1: I don't because that those those stakes are stripped away. 302 00:16:36,160 --> 00:16:38,680 Speaker 1: I don't know, because it is a mystery in that 303 00:16:38,800 --> 00:16:42,680 Speaker 1: movies can reproduce all walks of life, I mean, and 304 00:16:42,720 --> 00:16:46,240 Speaker 1: they can they can make you care about professions that 305 00:16:46,280 --> 00:16:48,880 Speaker 1: you've you're never going to experience or interact with, and 306 00:16:48,960 --> 00:16:50,960 Speaker 1: so they should be able to do it with golf. 307 00:16:51,000 --> 00:16:52,360 Speaker 1: Maybe I don't know, maybe we're too close to it. 308 00:16:52,400 --> 00:16:56,040 Speaker 1: Maybe the average viewer enjoy in the movies that drive 309 00:16:56,160 --> 00:17:00,480 Speaker 1: us crazy. Well, I love a good movie, just dis quesion, 310 00:17:00,560 --> 00:17:03,920 Speaker 1: But let's let's just talk about the early week drama. 311 00:17:04,960 --> 00:17:09,000 Speaker 1: The Academy Award for Best Actor in a Press Conference 312 00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:12,720 Speaker 1: goes to Jay Monahan, who did his annual State of 313 00:17:12,760 --> 00:17:16,480 Speaker 1: the Union press conference on Wednesday and said, everything's hunky dorry, 314 00:17:16,520 --> 00:17:19,960 Speaker 1: We're doing great. Nothing nothing to see here. It's been 315 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:24,720 Speaker 1: funny to chart his um. You know two last year 316 00:17:24,960 --> 00:17:27,159 Speaker 1: at the at the at the Players, it was like, 317 00:17:27,520 --> 00:17:30,800 Speaker 1: we're about legacy, not leverage. We're moving on. Well that 318 00:17:30,840 --> 00:17:34,640 Speaker 1: didn't quite work out, and now there's been a whole 319 00:17:34,720 --> 00:17:36,760 Speaker 1: year of live golf for half a year anyway, and 320 00:17:37,240 --> 00:17:39,280 Speaker 1: Monahan came in and talked about the state of things. 321 00:17:39,280 --> 00:17:42,680 Speaker 1: You were there, Michael, what was your take on Monahan's performance? 322 00:17:43,359 --> 00:17:47,240 Speaker 1: And and then the related news about you know, how 323 00:17:47,280 --> 00:17:50,439 Speaker 1: the tours were shaping stuff. We talked already about, um, 324 00:17:51,320 --> 00:17:53,679 Speaker 1: you know, the cuts or the no cuts, but in 325 00:17:53,680 --> 00:17:56,240 Speaker 1: a previous podcast, but just the feeling on the ground 326 00:17:56,240 --> 00:17:59,280 Speaker 1: at Sawgrass as as this is. You know, players championships 327 00:17:59,280 --> 00:18:02,760 Speaker 1: become an important for charting the course of the PGA tour. 328 00:18:02,880 --> 00:18:07,080 Speaker 1: What are your thoughts on that? You know, as we 329 00:18:07,119 --> 00:18:09,600 Speaker 1: have seen at the at the Masters and in the 330 00:18:09,680 --> 00:18:14,600 Speaker 1: US Open especialized to somebody read the British Open. Uh. 331 00:18:14,640 --> 00:18:19,320 Speaker 1: These pre tournament press car conferences, uh, from the from 332 00:18:19,359 --> 00:18:23,359 Speaker 1: the men and one woman who are have such important 333 00:18:23,400 --> 00:18:26,439 Speaker 1: positions in the game are really important for setting the 334 00:18:26,480 --> 00:18:28,200 Speaker 1: tone for the game. I don't know if they should 335 00:18:28,240 --> 00:18:30,919 Speaker 1: be or not, but they're they're very much directed to 336 00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:34,240 Speaker 1: people like us. Uh, you know, and can you win 337 00:18:34,320 --> 00:18:39,439 Speaker 1: over the constituency. Uh. And if you think about where 338 00:18:39,760 --> 00:18:43,000 Speaker 1: where Jay was in twenty twenty versus twenty two and 339 00:18:43,080 --> 00:18:46,520 Speaker 1: twenty three, you know, twenties dealing with the uh, the 340 00:18:46,640 --> 00:18:51,440 Speaker 1: uncertainty of the pandemic Washington Shore and twenty two it 341 00:18:51,480 --> 00:18:55,480 Speaker 1: was you know, fisticuffs and will show you and uh 342 00:18:55,640 --> 00:18:59,879 Speaker 1: in twenty three he was really very confident, very informed, 343 00:19:00,640 --> 00:19:04,600 Speaker 1: and uh he gave you the feeling that this PGA 344 00:19:04,680 --> 00:19:08,280 Speaker 1: tour is going to is going to carry on. UM, 345 00:19:08,520 --> 00:19:11,000 Speaker 1: So you know, to use the word you used, Alan, 346 00:19:11,040 --> 00:19:13,119 Speaker 1: I think it's an appropriate one. As a performance. It 347 00:19:13,200 --> 00:19:17,360 Speaker 1: was very effective if you dig into the numbers. I 348 00:19:17,440 --> 00:19:21,960 Speaker 1: just don't see how twenty and twenty five million dollars 349 00:19:22,000 --> 00:19:25,640 Speaker 1: purses and five million dollars pay days. I just don't 350 00:19:25,680 --> 00:19:30,760 Speaker 1: see how that is sustainable when you have weeks like 351 00:19:30,840 --> 00:19:34,200 Speaker 1: this week's, when when the tournament is just not the compelling, 352 00:19:34,800 --> 00:19:42,080 Speaker 1: Who's who's going to be watching? Uh? I don't know, 353 00:19:42,160 --> 00:19:45,760 Speaker 1: I don't know where? You know? There there there he 354 00:19:45,920 --> 00:19:49,960 Speaker 1: bought a year very cleverly, he took up he really did, 355 00:19:50,240 --> 00:19:53,879 Speaker 1: uh take part of Phil Michelson's playbook and made it 356 00:19:54,000 --> 00:19:59,080 Speaker 1: the tours when it's all said and done. Uh, But 357 00:19:59,440 --> 00:20:03,600 Speaker 1: there's so focused on these elite players at the expense 358 00:20:03,640 --> 00:20:05,919 Speaker 1: of the journeyman, and I think at the expense of 359 00:20:05,920 --> 00:20:09,400 Speaker 1: the fan. I really I'm not I'm not at all 360 00:20:09,440 --> 00:20:12,520 Speaker 1: a financial analyst type person. I'm not good at that 361 00:20:12,600 --> 00:20:15,639 Speaker 1: at all. But I just don't see how this is sustainable. 362 00:20:16,680 --> 00:20:18,880 Speaker 1: How about you, Alan, You've you've delved much deeper into 363 00:20:18,960 --> 00:20:23,160 Speaker 1: the to the numbers where golf is right now? What's 364 00:20:23,200 --> 00:20:28,040 Speaker 1: your sense of just as a numbers game is what 365 00:20:28,240 --> 00:20:34,160 Speaker 1: Jay Monahan is preaching is it sustainable. Well, and I'll 366 00:20:34,200 --> 00:20:38,040 Speaker 1: add to that. Today um A Ramco released its earnings 367 00:20:38,040 --> 00:20:40,399 Speaker 1: and it had made a record amount of money. I 368 00:20:40,400 --> 00:20:42,199 Speaker 1: think it's one hundred and forty one billion in the 369 00:20:42,280 --> 00:20:44,680 Speaker 1: last the last quarter. I can't remember the number. It 370 00:20:44,760 --> 00:20:47,679 Speaker 1: was an astronomical number. And of course that's what feeds 371 00:20:47,680 --> 00:20:50,440 Speaker 1: into the Saudi Public Investment Fund, and that's what's that's 372 00:20:50,480 --> 00:20:55,040 Speaker 1: what's floating live golf. So when people talk about, you know, 373 00:20:55,119 --> 00:20:59,080 Speaker 1: live having unlimited resources, it's basically true. In the PGA tour, 374 00:20:59,160 --> 00:21:01,720 Speaker 1: it's much more fine. And you know, I did a 375 00:21:01,760 --> 00:21:04,160 Speaker 1: story a few days ago. I got a tournament director 376 00:21:04,200 --> 00:21:07,040 Speaker 1: on the phone of a non elevated event and he 377 00:21:07,119 --> 00:21:10,000 Speaker 1: opened a vein and was speaking for a lot of 378 00:21:10,000 --> 00:21:14,320 Speaker 1: his colleagues. It's a real challenge to get corporations to 379 00:21:14,400 --> 00:21:17,440 Speaker 1: sign up for these these non elevated events because they're 380 00:21:17,480 --> 00:21:20,159 Speaker 1: not getting the eyeballs, they're not getting the players. The 381 00:21:20,200 --> 00:21:25,120 Speaker 1: price is only going up. And you know, as as 382 00:21:25,119 --> 00:21:28,400 Speaker 1: another as a Silicon Valley bank collapses, and that throws 383 00:21:28,400 --> 00:21:31,120 Speaker 1: a whole tech world into question, Like they just lost 384 00:21:31,160 --> 00:21:35,000 Speaker 1: Dell computers, how are you going to keep finding a company? 385 00:21:35,119 --> 00:21:37,879 Speaker 1: Put in fifteen eighteen and then million dollars for a 386 00:21:37,880 --> 00:21:40,000 Speaker 1: regular event and twenty five to twenty eight for an 387 00:21:40,040 --> 00:21:44,200 Speaker 1: elevated it's a tough sell. I think there's going to 388 00:21:44,280 --> 00:21:48,560 Speaker 1: have to be some contraction of the schedule, and then 389 00:21:48,640 --> 00:21:52,359 Speaker 1: that reduces playing opportunities for the journeyman. There's gonna be 390 00:21:52,400 --> 00:21:55,919 Speaker 1: some tough decisions ahead for for the PGA Tours organization. 391 00:21:57,000 --> 00:21:59,400 Speaker 1: You know, whether that means the Senior Tour, that means 392 00:21:59,480 --> 00:22:05,440 Speaker 1: Latino America or China or Canada. But if they're gonna 393 00:22:05,520 --> 00:22:08,960 Speaker 1: if the entire institutional focus is on the top players 394 00:22:08,960 --> 00:22:11,240 Speaker 1: and everyone else is going to feel some pain. And 395 00:22:13,480 --> 00:22:17,160 Speaker 1: so I think, you know, it's been a fun first 396 00:22:17,200 --> 00:22:19,119 Speaker 1: three months of the season. I mean, elevated events have 397 00:22:19,200 --> 00:22:21,320 Speaker 1: definitely added some energy to the whole thing, and it's 398 00:22:21,359 --> 00:22:23,080 Speaker 1: not only been a talking point, but it's been some 399 00:22:23,119 --> 00:22:26,160 Speaker 1: great golf and we are all enjoying seeing the top 400 00:22:26,200 --> 00:22:30,120 Speaker 1: players together. But the long term is very much in question. 401 00:22:30,320 --> 00:22:34,000 Speaker 1: And you know, the center has held for twenty three. 402 00:22:35,040 --> 00:22:37,240 Speaker 1: We're going to find out more about who reups or 403 00:22:37,240 --> 00:22:39,440 Speaker 1: doesn't in twenty four and twenty five, and that that's 404 00:22:39,480 --> 00:22:40,960 Speaker 1: going to have a huge effect on the future of 405 00:22:40,960 --> 00:22:43,359 Speaker 1: the PGA Tour and if there is a lot of 406 00:22:43,400 --> 00:22:49,200 Speaker 1: attrition among the sponsors, then finding a middle ground would live. 407 00:22:49,880 --> 00:22:52,760 Speaker 1: It becomes a lot more attractive because if you could 408 00:22:52,960 --> 00:22:56,080 Speaker 1: keep this energy with all these players and you have 409 00:22:56,119 --> 00:22:58,160 Speaker 1: someone else paid for it, that would be the dream. Right. 410 00:22:58,240 --> 00:23:02,400 Speaker 1: So you know, I like this idea of bringing letting 411 00:23:02,400 --> 00:23:04,040 Speaker 1: the live players back on the PGA Tour, but they 412 00:23:04,040 --> 00:23:05,960 Speaker 1: have to play the non elevated events, Like that'd be 413 00:23:05,960 --> 00:23:08,080 Speaker 1: great for everybody. You get all the stars if they 414 00:23:08,080 --> 00:23:09,840 Speaker 1: wanted to play a half dozen times and try and 415 00:23:09,840 --> 00:23:13,439 Speaker 1: play their way into some bigger events. Um, I don't know. 416 00:23:13,480 --> 00:23:17,919 Speaker 1: There's various people, whether it's Rory or Ram or whoever, 417 00:23:18,160 --> 00:23:21,360 Speaker 1: have have talked about the need to find a compromise. 418 00:23:21,560 --> 00:23:25,880 Speaker 1: And as the financials play out and as sponsors leave 419 00:23:25,920 --> 00:23:27,919 Speaker 1: the PGA Tour, that's going to add more pressure to 420 00:23:27,920 --> 00:23:31,000 Speaker 1: the whole thing. So the last chapter has not been 421 00:23:31,040 --> 00:23:35,320 Speaker 1: written in my book or this this long saga. It's uh. 422 00:23:35,359 --> 00:23:37,040 Speaker 1: I don't think we're gonna know for a while how 423 00:23:37,240 --> 00:23:41,520 Speaker 1: what it all means that So, um, you know, I 424 00:23:41,720 --> 00:23:44,520 Speaker 1: I think Jaymonhan definitely did what he had to do 425 00:23:44,600 --> 00:23:47,680 Speaker 1: and he had that that that that sound of confidence 426 00:23:47,720 --> 00:23:49,720 Speaker 1: in his voice. But I'm not sure how much of 427 00:23:49,720 --> 00:23:53,000 Speaker 1: that was acting and how much that was was legit. Well, 428 00:23:53,240 --> 00:23:58,160 Speaker 1: I'm before we click off here. Uh, you're off to Tucson, 429 00:23:58,320 --> 00:24:03,679 Speaker 1: Arizona for the first in the United States. Uh, this year. 430 00:24:03,960 --> 00:24:08,520 Speaker 1: What are your expectations for it? Are we sort of 431 00:24:08,520 --> 00:24:10,640 Speaker 1: at a moment of business as usual? Ors there never 432 00:24:10,720 --> 00:24:16,520 Speaker 1: anything usual with with with live golf, No, I think so, 433 00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:21,240 Speaker 1: you know last year was was this this chaotic um 434 00:24:21,280 --> 00:24:24,560 Speaker 1: just trying to trying to build the organization wall conducting tournaments. 435 00:24:24,600 --> 00:24:26,840 Speaker 1: Now the whole models baked out, the teams are set, 436 00:24:26,960 --> 00:24:30,200 Speaker 1: the players are set. No one, there's gonna be no 437 00:24:30,200 --> 00:24:32,800 Speaker 1: no new players are gonna be added, and no, there's 438 00:24:32,800 --> 00:24:35,000 Speaker 1: gonna be no attrition, I mean barring injury. And even 439 00:24:35,000 --> 00:24:37,320 Speaker 1: then they have they have a few guys on stand 440 00:24:37,320 --> 00:24:39,639 Speaker 1: by to fill in, like an Andeogal Tree or a 441 00:24:39,720 --> 00:24:44,480 Speaker 1: Lori Cantor. So. I think it's gonna be it's gonna 442 00:24:44,520 --> 00:24:48,280 Speaker 1: be almost boring in that it's gonna look and feel 443 00:24:48,400 --> 00:24:51,800 Speaker 1: very much like the Mayakoba event did team uniforms. That 444 00:24:51,880 --> 00:24:54,080 Speaker 1: was fun and fresh the first time. Now it's gonna 445 00:24:54,119 --> 00:24:58,440 Speaker 1: be okay. Um, you know, I think again to quote 446 00:24:58,480 --> 00:25:02,040 Speaker 1: Jay Monahan's product against product, So this will you know, 447 00:25:02,040 --> 00:25:05,600 Speaker 1: we're going to see how what the level of play 448 00:25:05,680 --> 00:25:07,920 Speaker 1: is on a course that has a long history of 449 00:25:07,960 --> 00:25:09,720 Speaker 1: the PGA Tour. Of course, the match play was out 450 00:25:09,720 --> 00:25:13,000 Speaker 1: there at that at that venue in Tucson, and um, 451 00:25:14,000 --> 00:25:16,359 Speaker 1: it's it's the biggest question around live golf. Can it 452 00:25:16,440 --> 00:25:20,439 Speaker 1: actually generate interests? Just in the Gulf, it's been living 453 00:25:20,640 --> 00:25:24,760 Speaker 1: on buzz and hype and intrigue and drama, um this 454 00:25:24,760 --> 00:25:27,480 Speaker 1: whole time. At some point the golf has to take 455 00:25:27,520 --> 00:25:30,840 Speaker 1: center stage. And you know, if you get if you 456 00:25:30,880 --> 00:25:34,160 Speaker 1: get Phil wins, if you get a Brooks Dustin shootout, 457 00:25:34,600 --> 00:25:37,080 Speaker 1: you know, if camp Smith goes thirty under, then I 458 00:25:37,119 --> 00:25:40,520 Speaker 1: think people will pay attention. If if Charles Howe, you know, 459 00:25:40,600 --> 00:25:44,040 Speaker 1: kind of cruises to victory, it's going to be hard 460 00:25:44,040 --> 00:25:49,600 Speaker 1: to draw the eyeballs. So um, you know, there there 461 00:25:49,680 --> 00:25:51,840 Speaker 1: was there's It's funny how everyone cooks the books. What 462 00:25:51,880 --> 00:25:55,239 Speaker 1: the ratings were, how many people actually tuned in um 463 00:25:55,600 --> 00:25:57,800 Speaker 1: on the CW and on the app and all that. 464 00:25:58,320 --> 00:26:01,159 Speaker 1: The numbers that Live put out were pretty bust. What 465 00:26:01,320 --> 00:26:04,800 Speaker 1: some other folks cited. We're significantly smaller, so we need 466 00:26:04,840 --> 00:26:07,199 Speaker 1: more of a sample size. And I think you know 467 00:26:07,240 --> 00:26:11,240 Speaker 1: if they can, if they can draw a good crowd electronically, 468 00:26:11,280 --> 00:26:13,040 Speaker 1: that that would be a huge step forward and try 469 00:26:13,040 --> 00:26:15,480 Speaker 1: and create some viewing habits. By now everyone knows about 470 00:26:16,000 --> 00:26:18,240 Speaker 1: where they can watch live, not only on the CW, 471 00:26:18,240 --> 00:26:22,040 Speaker 1: but they've launched their own platform for streaming, and so 472 00:26:22,560 --> 00:26:24,119 Speaker 1: I think it's going to feel like a golf tournament. 473 00:26:24,119 --> 00:26:25,840 Speaker 1: I don't think it's going to feel like a side show. 474 00:26:26,480 --> 00:26:29,360 Speaker 1: That that's good or bad, depending on your perspective, because 475 00:26:29,400 --> 00:26:31,199 Speaker 1: the live has kind of needed the side show. But 476 00:26:32,240 --> 00:26:36,879 Speaker 1: I'm looking forward to seeing it and continuing just to 477 00:26:36,920 --> 00:26:38,960 Speaker 1: report on what's going on out there. But I guess 478 00:26:39,000 --> 00:26:42,520 Speaker 1: my expectations are low from an intrigue standpoint and from 479 00:26:42,520 --> 00:26:46,760 Speaker 1: a competitive standpoint, we'll see. Okay, well, it's very late 480 00:26:46,800 --> 00:26:49,480 Speaker 1: in pont Abure Beach, where Michael Bamberger has already typed 481 00:26:49,520 --> 00:26:53,240 Speaker 1: a story and done a podcast. The guy is tireless. 482 00:26:54,000 --> 00:26:57,080 Speaker 1: We're gonna let Michael gets some rest. But always the 483 00:26:57,160 --> 00:27:00,720 Speaker 1: fun conversations Sunday night fire drills will keep them coming. 484 00:27:01,760 --> 00:27:04,159 Speaker 1: AUGUSTA National is only three or four weeks away, so 485 00:27:04,200 --> 00:27:07,240 Speaker 1: it's time to get excited about that. I was already excited, 486 00:27:07,280 --> 00:27:10,040 Speaker 1: but you know, the players really is a benchmark, so 487 00:27:10,040 --> 00:27:11,680 Speaker 1: I think we have we have an idea of who 488 00:27:11,720 --> 00:27:14,600 Speaker 1: the favorites are head into Augusta, even though we already 489 00:27:14,600 --> 00:27:18,000 Speaker 1: had a hunch. But as always, thanks for listening. We 490 00:27:18,000 --> 00:27:22,160 Speaker 1: appreciate your fidelity. That was Michael Bamberger. This is ound 491 00:27:22,200 --> 00:27:24,480 Speaker 1: ship Nut signing off from this fire drill, and we'll 492 00:27:24,480 --> 00:27:29,680 Speaker 1: do it again next week. Thanks. I've been big and 493 00:27:29,880 --> 00:27:34,199 Speaker 1: I played the win, made a fortune within my ship 494 00:27:34,240 --> 00:27:38,680 Speaker 1: game in I ran the table, never thought I could fall. 495 00:27:39,080 --> 00:27:42,119 Speaker 1: Then the winter time hit me like a cannon the 496 00:27:42,200 --> 00:27:48,240 Speaker 1: ball and now I can't shake this losing the stream. 497 00:27:49,080 --> 00:27:54,240 Speaker 1: Every road I take is a dead end stream. I 498 00:27:54,440 --> 00:27:59,600 Speaker 1: got thoughts in my head, can't get joy, not the 499 00:27:59,600 --> 00:28:03,720 Speaker 1: thing what I'm thinking about. I got fronts in my head, 500 00:28:04,400 --> 00:28:08,160 Speaker 1: can't get them out. Trying not to think what I'm 501 00:28:08,200 --> 00:28:09,160 Speaker 1: thinking about.