The PGA Tour’s need to change its card process, Lexi’s farewell complaint, and Black Friday hacks

The Shotgun Start

Andy and Brendan are together again for a Monday episode wrapping up the end of both the PGA Tour and LPGA seasons. Before getting to that, Andy has some thoughts on Golf Channel's coverage of the Australian PGA Championship late Saturday night, as the broadcast cut to commercial after the approach shots on the 72nd hole. Although we didn't entirely see how, Elvis Smylie made his par and secured his first DP World Tour win, holding off Cam Smith in the final group. From there, the two discuss the RSM Classic, the final event of the FedEx Fall and the end of the 2024 PGA Tour season. Maverick McNealy won his first PGA Tour event with a birdie on the final hole, leaving Luke Clanton, Daniel Berger, and Nico Echavarria (and his minute) in a tie for second. Brendan and Andy give props to McNealy on his first win after an up-and-down career so far before questioning how Luke Clanton, an amateur, has not secured a PGA Tour card yet despite his four top ten finishes this season. Brendan also shares a quote from Daniel Berger about how just 10% of his peak play is at a "different level" than most of the guys he's competing with. Lastly, Andy and Brendan take a look at the top 125 bubble at the conclusion of the FedEx Fall, where Joel Dahmen kept his card using the 13 FedEx Cup points he got for free in the no-cut Zozo. Next, they talk through the CME Tour Championship on the LPGA Tour, won by Jeeno Thitikul, making her the big financial winner of this season and NOT Nelly Korda. Lexi Thompson, playing in her final event as a full-time player, expressed some displeasure at split tees on Sunday due to the TV broadcast window, which did not allow her to finish her career on the 18th hole. With golf talk wrapped up, Brendan details the biggest event of the day - the Maplewood 11U football team against Major Tuddy and his band of misfit mascots at Northwest Field. The kids shut out the mascots, winning 13-0 with two forced turnovers in the short game. Major Tuddy did get some hits in though, with footage of a personal foul after an interception making the rounds on Twitter. Andy is fired up about the "best case scenario" of another Bears loss with Caleb Williams looking great, as the 'Flus must be cut loose after this season. PJ shares that Bob Papa is not pleased with the New York Giants and the three make another pitch for a godfather offer to bring him to the Champions Tour full time. To finish this episode, everyone goes back and forth about the inaugural Year in Review livestream, coming to YouTube at some point this week.