The Shotgun Start

Fried Egg Golf
  • 4.7 (1.7K)
  • Golf
  • Updated Semiweekly

The Shotgun Start with Andy Johnson and Brendan Porath of Fried Egg Golf is a podcast waiting for you early in the morning that quickly blasts through a variety of topics (usually) related to golf and (ideally) relevant to the day. It covers news from the pro tours around the world, amusing and important topics from the amateur game the rest of us play, and some irreverent stuff in between. There will be short interviews, previews, reviews, and dives into the archives. It provides what you need to know on golf through a rapid and fun catch-up discussion.

  1. 9h ago

    The Preferred Lies Super Bowl, Solheim Cup ratings tank, & FBF on the Best PCup Ever

    This Friday whiparound episode covers the hottest topics in golf: AI announcers "coming to fruition," PGA Tour Comms tweets, and the latest in RATINGS! after last weekend's Solheim Cup. Andy and Brendan first clean up some more 2028 exemption chatter from Wednesday's show, with Andy learning that the players - perhaps including Lucas Glover, who stands to benefit from the Career Milestone exemption - pushed for these categories to exist on the new-look PGA Tour. Brendan then dubs this week's event in Asheville as "the Super Bowl of Preferred Lies" after the Tour decided that all four days would be played ball-in-hand on Thursday morning. The two also discuss the totality of Duff Foreman's broadcast debut and some quotes from his creator (or father?) that ran in a Golf.com article this week. The two then bring in Kevin Van Valkenburg for a discussion about declining Solheim Cup ratings. Andy calls the disappointing numbers a "fire alarm," and the three debate whether the ratings are even in a place to improve moving forward. KVV then rounds out a year of B. Draddy Presidents Cup Flashbacks with the granddaddy of them all: a look back at the 2003 tie, captained by Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player! We will be back on Monday morning ahead of our live show at SPACE in Evanston as we head to the Windy City for the 2026 Presidents Cup.   New to the Pro Shop, our Chicago Collection has arrived. We’ve given our SGS logo a Chicago twist, referencing the light blue and red colors on the Chicago flag. We’ve got that available on hats, koozies and tees. Check it all out at proshop.thefriedegg.com OR if you’re coming to our live show in Chicago on Sept. 21st, we’ll have a pop up shop there with the whole collection available!   The official Presidents Cup uniforms are available to shop now at B. Draddy, alongside their Presidents Cup t-shirt collection! If you'd like to carry a piece of the week home with you, visit bdraddy.com and use promo code SGS30 for 30% off your order. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  2. 2d ago

    A new Tour order, but a meritocracy? PGA Tour points overhaul, and Ryder Cup Europe scouting

    Where were you when Duff Foreman made his historic debut in the golf commentary booth at the New Mexico Open? Andy and Brendan dissect the performance of Mr. Foreman, who is still learning the ropes in his new profession. The conversation then shifts to more substantial matters: a press release from the PGA Tour outlining membership criteria and eligibility for the new-look PGA Tour starting in 2028. They, along with Joseph LaMagna, go through the fine print of the changes and what it means for the future of the PGA Tour. Andy is particularly upset with one facet of the details - any guesses as to which one? They close by going through the Schedule of the Week, prompting a question about how strategic the Strategic Alliance actually is given this weekend's cluttered lineup.   Beginner or scratch golfer, weekend warrior or tour hopeful—however you play, there's a Garmin device built for your game. Visit garmin.com to learn more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  3. 4d ago

    Another U.S. team failure in match play, Shane Lowry’s home win and viral mic moment, and NFL minute(s)

    Welcome back to another fall of Victory Mondays! Andy is on cloud nine after his Bears put up 59 points in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season while Brendan took in another pitiful Browns loss during a trip to the great town of Cleveland, Ohio. After some NFL Minute(s) kick off this episode, the two bring in Kevin Van Valkenburg to recap Team Europe's win at the Solheim Cup. Andy, Brendan, and KVV discuss some social media motivation that might've pushed the Euros across the line today, takeaways from the broadcast coverage, and why all of American golf can't seem to figure out foursomes in team competitions. They then move on to Shane Lowry's runaway win at the Irish Open and Andy recalls his proclamation that Lowry "may never win again" after blowing it at PGA National earlier this year. Lowry beat a strong field including Patrick Reed, Joaquin Niemann, and The Gentleman in Training on the way to receive the trophy from President Donald Trump. PJ pops in to share some heartbreaking news about Michael Block's Champions Tour Top 10 streak and applauds Zatch Johnson for securing his fifth win of his rookie season. More NFL Minute(s) close out the show, with Andy peppering PJ about the state of the Packers, who happen to visit the 1-0 New York Jets for a massive Week 2 matchup at JetLife Stadium next Sunday. We will return on Wednesday with more chatter about golf and other things. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  4. Sep 10

    Blockie buys a car, Solheim Cup preview, & a Presidents Cup FBF with KVV

    We can promise this is the most in-depth discussion of the Michael Block memorabilia market that you'll find anywhere on the internet. With Brendan out for this Friday episode, Andy bats the ball around with The Boys as they cover the latest in international travel, a "sick" Irish Open Thursday, and Blockie's latest (public) purchase. They also dive into a bit more of the LIV Golf bankruptcy filings, wondering how Adrian Meronk is one of the league's top creditors and all share their surprise at the lack of revenue coming in from the FOX television deal. Andy then brings in Matthew Galloway to discuss this weekend's Solheim Cup, previewing the course at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands. Matthew shares some scuttle he's heard from folks on the ground and some memories from his experience caddying in past Solheim Cups. The Boys return alongside Kevin Van Valkenburg as KVV comes through with another B. Draddy Flashback Friday focusing on the 2024 Presidents Cup in Montreal. KVV highlights some feisty comments from then-captain Jim Furyk and questions whether we'll see the same level of intensity from Mr. 58 during next year's Ryder Cup. Andy, Kevin, and The Boys then go a bit off the rails for the rest of the episode, hitting on topics such as Kim Kardashian's new reality TV show, upcoming guests for Lunch with The Boys, spending Valentine's Day at the WM Phoenix Open, and much, much more. We will return on Monday after a weekend of coffee golf!   Use promo code SGS30 for 30% off Presidents Cup gear at B. Draddy! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  5. Sep 8

    LIV Golf files for bankruptcy, Irish Open enthusiasm, & Jon Rahm speaks again

    As Andy says in the middle of this Wednesday episode, "golf gets really good in the fall." After a weekend focused almost solely on the Walker Cup, the Schedule for the Week is packed to the brim with the Solheim Cup, a strong field at the Irish Open, and Blockie's continued Champs Tour heater. Before they can get to any of that, Andy and Brendan begin with a Football Minute, the first of this 2026 season. Andy's enthusiasm about the Bears is borderline scary as he attempts to show Brendan and PJ that there is light at the end of the no-quarterback tunnel. The two get to golf and preview this week's Irish Open where (former?) LIV golfer Jon Rahm spoke about his future once again. Rahm was quick to point out that he was contracted with LIV 1.0, a business that filed for bankruptcy in the middle of this recording. Andy and Brendan then try to piece together the bankruptcy news as it unfolds, with the highlight being Scott O'Neil's "Letter to Fans" citing other successful sports franchises that have been through the process and lived to see another day. The Solheim Cup is briefly mentioned with a comprehensive preview to come on Thursday evening ahead of play on Friday. A Whiparound Wednesday segment catches up on a bunch of recent news such as Brooks Koepka signing with Motor City GC and the end of an era at the GloHo for the PGA TOUR. Brendan is especially appalled at the existence of the first-ever AI Golf Commentator, set to join Notah in the booth for the New Mexico Open next week! Lastly, PJ pops in to provide the official Shotgun Start Over/Unders for the 2026 NFL season, somehow making Andy and Brendan choose between Deshaun Watson and Christiaan Bezuidenhout, among other props. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  6. Sep 6

    Incredible Walker Cup finish delivers watch of the year: Reactions, praise, and blame on Lahinch matches

    Andy and Brendan react to an all-time Walker Cup as Great Britain & Ireland took down Team USA with a birdie from Josh Hill on the final hole of his match against Tyler Watts. The two discuss a the weekend of matches at Lahinch Golf Club and call it the Event of the Year (so far). They hand out praise and blame on both sides of the competition and dive into the Golf Channel broadcast that got chaotic down the stretch on Sunday. Andy and Brendan debate what should change, if anything, about the Walker Cup before briefly mentioning Thriston Lawrence's back-to-back win at the Omega European Masters, tying Seve Ballesteros as a three-time winner of the event.   From Thursday Sept. 3rd through Tuesday Sept. 8th, you can take 15% off sitewide with code LABOR15 at proshop.thefriedegg.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  7. Sep 3

    A reinstated amateur farce, Walker Cup preview, and flashback on Phil shenanigans

    Andy and Brendan are excited for Labor Day weekend and bring the energy for this Whiparound Friday episode ahead of the holiday. They begin with Mike Sposa's win at the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at Baltimore Country Club. Andy is inspired by this story of resilience in the amateur game and wonders how Sposa had the time to get so good at golf while he was busy making 90 cuts on the PGA Tour! The two break down yet another example of the farce that is "reinstated amateurism" and wonder how the USGA let this guy bank in the ranks after such a long pro career. Brendan continues the heartwarming start to the show with a Sergio Garcia tale from the Omega European Masters that you won't want to miss. From there, they discuss this weekend's Walker Cup at Lahinch Golf Club. Team USA has to face not only the best Great Britain & Ireland team in recent memory, but they're also battling a stomach bug that has taken over the teamroom. From there, Andy shares some research into the Christiaan Bezuidenhout Presidents Cup pick and decides that C-Bez should play all five sessions for the Internationals. Kevin Van Valkenburg returns with yet another B. Draddy P-Cup Flashback about the 2015 matches and some Phil Mickelson hijinks in South Korea. Andy and Brendan wrap with news regarding Good Good and the RBC Heritage before sending this episode on its way into a holiday weekend.   Use promo code SGS30 for 30% off Presidents Cup gear at B. Draddy! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  8. Sep 2

    Jackson Koivun makes Presidents Cup USA team and other selection shockers, Reinstated Am debate reignites, and re-dawn of Don?

    Unlike the made-for-TV special announcing the final twelve players at this year's Presidents Cup, this Wednesday episode is not a full hour long... but Andy and Brendan do spend most of it reacting to the final rosters and the programming that brought them to us. The two discuss the ridiculousness of a 60-minute show at 5 p.m. on a Tuesday to announce the teams, every player immediately being called "great for the teamroom," and U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker's whispers to Todd Lewis about his selections. Eventually they do get into the picks, most notably Snedeker's selection of Jackson Koivun as the final man on Team USA. Andy and Brendan wonder how Snedeker might've arrived at the decision to take the young star, with some conspiracies being thrown out almost immediately. They debate the merits picking of Koivun (and Jacob Bridgeman) instead of some who did not make the team, including Ryan Gerard, J.J. Spaun, and Ben Griffin. On the International side, Geoff Ogilvy's selections were fairly chalk until a surprise final selection of Christiaan Bezuidenhout, whose wifi (or lack thereof) was a lowlight of the Golf Channel show. PJ can't believe the C-Bez pick and points out that he's ranked lower than assistant captain Taylor Pendrith on basically any list you can find. Andy supposes that the selection was a last-minute rebuttal to the Bridge Man's putter landing a spot on the American side. After plenty of P-Cup talk and a plug for the upcoming SGS Live Show at SPACE, Andy and Brendan discuss a very small Schedule for the Week before getting into some recent news. Colt Knost has found his way back to the forefront of the reinstated amateur debate, but he might've been playing it up on social for those precious, precious impressions. Lastly, Brendan breaks Andy and PJ's brains with a revelation about former PGA of America President Don Rea and his latest whereabouts in a final segment you won't want to miss.   Use promo code SGS30 for 30% off Presidents Cup gear at B. Draddy! We’re returning to SPACE for a Presidents Cup week Live Show Presented by B.Draddy! Join us in Chicago on September 21 - doors will open at 5 pm and show begins at 7 pm. Tickets are on sale now! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Hosts & Guests

4.7
out of 5
1,746 Ratings

About

The Shotgun Start with Andy Johnson and Brendan Porath of Fried Egg Golf is a podcast waiting for you early in the morning that quickly blasts through a variety of topics (usually) related to golf and (ideally) relevant to the day. It covers news from the pro tours around the world, amusing and important topics from the amateur game the rest of us play, and some irreverent stuff in between. There will be short interviews, previews, reviews, and dives into the archives. It provides what you need to know on golf through a rapid and fun catch-up discussion.

Information

  • Creator
    Fried Egg Golf
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    1.2K
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    2026 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia
  • Show Website
    The Shotgun Start

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