Rory's Post-Masters Mindset & Spieth's Slam Quest at Quail Hollow; Plus Bryson, Rahm & Injury News

Episode Brief This episode (Date of Recording) dives deep into the upcoming PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, analyzing top contenders like McIlroy and Spieth, their Grand Slam narratives, key player strategies, and crucial fitness updates.

• Lead bullet – Rory McIlroy approaches the PGA at Quail Hollow feeling 'lighter' post-Masters Grand Slam, despite Padraig Harrington's 'new burden' theory, leveraging his stellar course record and reduced tour politics involvement.
• Secondary bullet – Jordan Spieth, inspired by Rory, targets his ninth career Grand Slam attempt at the PGA, reporting positive wrist recovery and growing confidence.
• Tertiary bullet – Bryson DeChambeau discusses his respectful rivalry with McIlroy and past health battles, while Jon Rahm shares a Nicklaus-inspired mental strategy for major championships.

• Lead bullet – Scottie Scheffler looks forward to his marquee pairing (McIlroy, Schauffele), Xander Schauffele aims to defend and challenge a 'freer' Rory, while Justin Thomas feels renewed Grand Slam ambition.
• Secondary bullet – Daniel Berger makes a welcome return from a long back injury, but Sahith Theegala's participation is uncertain due to a neck issue.
• Tertiary bullet – Several veterans like John Daly, Vijay Singh, Y.E. Yang, and Davis Love III will miss the PGA for the Regions Tradition; Billy Horschel is out post-hip surgery.

Rory's 2-year Aussie Open deal • Rahm values multiple majors over *just* the Slam • Spieth's wrist feeling good

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This May 13th episode dives deep into the PGA Championship build-up, analyzing Rory McIlroy's Grand Slam quest, Scottie Scheffler's dominance, and other key storylines emerging from recent Tour action.

• Lead bullet – Focus shifts to Quail Hollow for the PGA Championship, with Rory McIlroy (+500) seeking the career Grand Slam despite recent driving woes (hitting just 8 of 28 fairways over the weekend at Truist), facing off against dominant World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler (+450).
• Secondary bullet – Scheffler enters fresh off a record-tying -31 victory at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, though questions linger about his limited Quail Hollow experience (0-3-1 at the 2022 Presidents Cup).
• Tertiary bullet – Defending champion Xander Schauffele hosted the Champions Dinner, treating past winners to smoked goat cheese dates and Wagyu New York strip steak ahead of his title defense on a course where he holds a strong record.

• Lead bullet – Jordan Spieth makes his ninth attempt at the career Grand Slam, quipping about Quail Hollow being "Rory McIlroy Country Club" after a closing 62 at the CJ Cup, while Jon Rahm's major form remains a question despite Liv success.
• Secondary bullet – Keep an eye on recent Liv Golf Korea winner Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas, who finished T2 at the Truist Championship and won the 2017 PGA at this very course (Quail Hollow).
• Tertiary bullet – Analyst Jeff Sherman still believes in Rahm, who provided a lighter moment failing to recognize teammate Tyrrell Hatton's childhood photo in a humorous video clip.

• Lead bullet – Jeeno Thitikul captured her fifth LPGA title with a flawless bogey-free final 27 holes at the Mizuho Americas Open to reach World No. 2, while Ryan Fox secured his maiden PGA Tour win at the Myrtle Beach Classic.
• Secondary bullet – Fox sealed the Myrtle Beach Classic victory with a dramatic playoff chip-in, dedicating the Mother's Day trophy to his wife.
• Tertiary bullet – Veteran Richard Bland notably prioritized sleep and preparation over a dinner invitation with former President Donald Trump ahead of a tournament.

A • Sahith Theegala's PGA status uncertain due to neck injury withdrawal from Truist • Kai Trump commits to University of Miami golf (Fall '26) • New 165,000 sq ft PGA TOUR Studios facility opens in Ponte Vedra Beach, featuring Tiger Woods.

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This Mother's Day weekend, Sepp Straka emotionally clinched his second PGA Tour victory of 2025 at the Truist Championship, while Ryan Fox dramatically chipped in for his maiden Tour title at the Myrtle Beach Classic.

• Lead bullet – Sepp Straka captured a poignant Mother's Day Truist Championship victory at The Philadelphia Cricket Club, his second of 2025, marked by emotional family reflections and overcoming immense pressure.
• Secondary bullet – Straka (-16), who shared the 54-hole lead, credited a "takeaway tweak" and stellar mid-range putting for his win, admitting he was "nauseous" from pressure despite not his best ball-striking.
• Tertiary bullet – The Austrian proudly represented his country, celebrating with family (wife Paige, child Leo) in Flourtown, where his parents met, and reflecting on overcoming past chipping yips.

• Lead bullet – Ryan Fox secured his maiden PGA Tour title at the inaugural Myrtle Beach Classic, sinking a stunning chip-in birdie on the first playoff hole against Mackenzie Hughes and Harry Higgs.
• Secondary bullet – Fox (-15, R4 66) drew on DP World Tour experience for composure, with the win (witnessed by wife & daughters) significantly boosting his season and PGA Championship qualification.
• Tertiary bullet – Players praised the debuting Dunes course; Harry Higgs showed class (writing "be a savage"), while Mackenzie Hughes benefited from a "gift from the golf gods" bounce in the playoff.

A • JT & Lowry T2 at Truist (-14) • Rory: Wissahickon "too short," preps for Quail • Finau's Mother's Day charity raises $25k

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Recapping a wild Round 3 of the Truist Championship where gusting winds and treacherous greens saw Ryder Cup partners Sepp Straka and Shane Lowry emerge as co-leaders at -14, setting up a thrilling Sunday.

• Lead bullet – Ryder Cup partners Sepp Straka (66) and Shane Lowry (67) battled brutal winds and lightning-fast greens at Wissahickon to share the 54-hole lead at -14, setting up a dramatic final round showdown.
• Secondary bullet – Players universally described the course as "baring its teeth," with Straka noting the wind made it feel like "three different golf courses" in one week.
• Tertiary bullet – Straka's crucial driver fix after a mid-round text to his coach and Lowry's quest for his first individual PGA Tour win since 2019 add compelling personal narratives.

• Lead bullet – Hideki Matsuyama electrified with a round-of-the-day 63, including a chip-in birdie on 18, to soar to -10, while 36-hole leader Keith Mitchell (71) dropped to -11.
• Secondary bullet – Mitchell cited "significantly faster" greens for his struggles, as a steady Justin Thomas (66) also moved to -11, keeping the pressure on the leaders.
• Tertiary bullet – The contrasting fortunes highlight the day's volatility, with Matsuyama's surge injecting fresh excitement into the hunt for the Truist title.

• Lead bullet – Rory McIlroy carded a 69 to sit six shots adrift at -8, his title hopes dented by finding only 3 of 14 fairways, despite a highlight 53-foot birdie putt.
• Secondary bullet – His struggles off the tee came after his Round 2 comments about focusing more on his game and less on PGA Tour politics.
• Tertiary bullet – McIlroy also shared his thoughts on the golf ball rollback, adding another dimension to his week as he faces an uphill battle on Sunday.

Justin Rose WD (illness) • Near aces on 14th by Tom Hoge & Matthieu Pavon • Struggles for R1 leaders (McCarthy, Fowler, Morikawa, Bhatia) • Enthusiastic Philadelphia fan support sets stage for final round

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Friday at the Truist Championship saw Keith Mitchell maintain his lead through challenging weather, while Rory McIlroy's outspoken comments on tour politics and equipment dominated discussions.

• Lead bullet – Keith Mitchell battled cooler, wetter conditions at Wissahickon, carding a 67 to hold a one-shot lead at -12. Players faced tougher scoring with preferred lies in effect, adjusting to heavier air and less roll.
• Secondary bullet – Shane Lowry fired a stellar 65 to sit just one shot back at -11, noting his game feels "really good."
• Tertiary bullet – Lowry also shared his enjoyment playing alongside local hero Jason Kelce in the pro-am and reiterated his popular suggestion for a player cool-down period post-round.

• Lead bullet – Rory McIlroy's "scrappy" 67 was overshadowed by his candid admission of consciously stepping back from PGA Tour policy debates since September to refocus on his golf, a significant shift in his public stance.
• Secondary bullet – He also argued classic courses are becoming "obsolete" due to modern ball distances, suggesting a shorter, "tournament ball" would reintroduce strategic play.
• Tertiary bullet – Justin Thomas echoed the sentiment on course difficulty, noting the need for longer clubs, while a star-studded chase pack including Thomas, McIlroy, and Morikawa sits at -7.

Woodland & Im climb leaderboard • McCarthy & Zalatoris fall back • Adam Scott continues swing work

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Recapping Round 1 of the Truist Championship, where Keith Mitchell's stunning 61 set the pace on a scorable Wissahickon, leading a star-studded leaderboard before a challenging weather shift.

ROUND 1 RECAP: MITCHELL LEADS THE CHARGE

- Lead bullet – Keith Mitchell fired a blistering nine-under 61 to seize the Round 1 lead at the Truist Championship, masterfully navigating Wissahickon's receptive conditions that yielded a day of exceptionally low scoring.

- Secondary bullet – Denny McCarthy sits just one shot back at eight-under, with a formidable group including a resurgent Rickie Fowler, Collin Morikawa, Sepp Straka, and Akshay Bhatia all carding seven-under.

- Tertiary bullet – Mitchell credited his driver on the "old school" A.W. Tillinghast design, while Fowler's form benefits from a recent iron adjustment, and Morikawa wields a familiar blade putter with new caddie Joe Greiner.

NOTABLE NAMES & COURSE STRATEGY

- Lead bullet – Defending champ Rory McIlroy (-4) used the day for vital prep, acknowledging rust on a different venue, while Justin Thomas (-4) praised the classic course. Xander Schauffele and Alex Noren both returned strong at three-under.

- Secondary bullet – Philadelphia Cricket Club's Director of Golf, Jim Smith Junior, shed light on the strategic demands of holes like the par-five fifteenth and Wissahickon's challenging closing stretch.

- Tertiary bullet – Jordan Spieth finished at even par, while the Pro-Am featuring Kyle Lowry and the outcome of the Creator Classic added some pre-tournament buzz.

LOOKING AHEAD TO ROUND 2

- Lead bullet – A significant weather shift is forecast for Round 2, with rain, colder temperatures, and earlier tee times poised to dramatically alter playing conditions and scoring at Wissahickon.

- Secondary bullet – Expect the historic A.W. Tillinghast design to play significantly longer, with its "juicy" rough becoming a far more penalizing factor for any errant shots.

- Tertiary bullet – Players like Akshay Bhatia, focused on precise approaches, will face an even sterner test on the heavily sloped greens under tougher conditions.

Quick Hits

A • Mitchell's 61! • Fowler Resurgent • McIlroy Preps • Wissahickon's Test • Weather Shift Incoming

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Story-driven, leaderboard-lite—today’s pod zooms in on course prep, candid player takes, and feel-good moments:

• Rory recharged – Post-Grand-Slam exhale, family time, and a driver-heavy attack plan for the “smaller Oak Hill.”
• Strategic split – Justin Thomas pegs Wissahickon a wind-sensitive second-shot test; Xander Schauffele predicts red numbers and shares Champions Dinner menu.
• Spieth’s turn – Grand-Slam pressure shifts to Jordan, who calls Scheffler “clearly better right now” yet loves how the course sets up for him.

• Jason Day out – Neck disc herniation scratches him from Truist and jeopardizes his PGA start; Patrick Rodgers slides in.
• Billy Horschel surgery – Right hip procedure next week, out until late summer; Rico Hoey joins the PGA field.

• Bryson bullish after Korea win.
• DJ invite clarified – PGA of America extends berths to last five Masters winners.

• Byrd & son – Jonathan Byrd fulfills a “bucket-list” dream teeing it up alongside 18-year-old Jackson in his Tour debut.

Adam Scott’s John Daly-inspired takeaway • Pro-Am hero keeps drink intact after being struck • Creator Classic buzz: Paige Spiranac vs. Tyler Toney • Turkish Airlines Open tees off.

All the storylines setting the stage for Quail Hollow—press play and get primed for major week.

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Today’s pod circles the globe in rapid-fire fashion:

• Scottish Championship reborn – Aug 7-10 at Trump International Golf Links Scotland, $2.75 M purse, and fresh chatter about Turnberry’s Open future as new R&A chief Mark Darbon orders “feasibility” checks.

• Field shuffle – Dustin Johnson granted a special invite; John Daly opts for Regions Tradition; Billy Horschel (hip) and Shaun Norris out, Patrick Fishburn and Rico Hoey in. Sixteen LIV players now expected.

• Rory vs. EVR – McIlroy calls for a “cutthroat” PGA Tour; Erik van Rooyen pushes back and questions megadeals.
• Looming merger? – PGA Tour cites a “constructive” White House sit-down with Trump and Yasir Al-Rumayyan, yet sources warn of tangled details.

• Bryson bullish on Quail Hollow strength.
• Michelle Wie West invests in Togethxr and preps for the richer-purse Mizuho Americas Open.
• Haeran Ryu climbs to world #5 after Black Desert triumph.

Signature-event Truist Championship with Rory defending, plus the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic spotlighting 17-year-old prodigy Blades Brown.

Politics, payouts, and major prep—all in one tight episode. Hit play and stay ahead of the news cycle.

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