It's 10 million times better than I thought it would feel and for everything that I feel like I've put in the hard work over the years, it's, you know, to see it pay off like that is special.
Mike Fitzpatrick made your champion. How does that sound? pretty damn good. If you asked me what a performance by the young Englishman to win the US Open Championship last night at Brookline, or the country club to be more accurate. And Brookline and Massachusetts, Matt Fitzpatrick as a major winner, and credible stuff. Welcome to the latest episode of the bunker podcast in association with Callaway, we have a packed episode for you this week genuinely loads and loads to get through US Open. But apart of that, what honestly, I'm buzzing about this episode race. I don't know about you. Good. Excellent. Yes, race is almost there. Good morning. I
didn't realize you're gonna bring me in right there. I was checking my tracers. We're certainly, but I'm here. That's the most important thing. And I agree on button as well. How are you? I am good.
But we're both a little bit bleedy. Eight, typical US based major championship finish early hours of the morning. The next day,
yeah, but a lot was good. It's a lot easier to stay awake when it's not dull.
To PGA
that was a struggle. But not last night. Last night was great, wasn't it?
It certainly was. It was a fantastic, fantastic championship, I thought from start to finish. And lots of reasons for that, which we'll come to. But first of all, but I need to tell you something. Tell me something Michael blanc to see the Buzz Lightyear movie at the weekend. It's amazing. January, it's amazing. I
don't think I'm gonna go and see it. Why? Because I'd rather see top gun again.
I'm gonna go and see that too. But four year old daughter, she has Toy Story mad. She saw the trailer. Her older cousin sent her the clip. That's the thing that my nephew is like 12 and he's now sending me DMS and Instagrams. And have you seen this show this to your dog? Anyway, he was very keen for us to go and see it. We did go and see it. I loved it. We got to know so much. A little bit scary to you. Oh,
how much did it cost you?
The tickets for the three of us me my wife in the week at all? 30 pounds for the food. Another 30 pounds really like
that? I saw what they were going to see last week Jurassic Park. I spent 52 pounds in cinema last week for two people to do two people 52 pounds admittedly when I got the cinema avail of it.
Yeah, yeah. Listeners you should be aware of Bryce likes his cinema scan
a big get its nachos with Charlie's extra jellies, cheese. Which calls things popcorn. He gets sweet, but 52 quid.
That's an absolute joke. Frankly. I know. It's been a tough couple of years of trying to be cool some of the money come on, come on. Anyway, place is not the guy you want to sit next to that cinema. That's why I'll never go to the cinema. Because of the noise of the crunch. And
I don't see what's wrong with that. It's demanded itself it for a reason. And all but I'm not load naturals to suck it up.
But if you're listening and you've got kids tend to see Buzz Lightyear just prepared for them to be absolutely terrified. It's not that scary. But there are some moments. But that was a nice little break from watching the golf or had to do some family time in amongst it. And it was Father's Day yesterday. Oh, yeah. Did you get anything?
I had to ask on my cards for the second year or one o'clock in the afternoon. Can I get my Father's Day card? No. And the wife is like, Oh, yeah. How does she not remember, to be honest, is because we we don't really care in our house. We don't Mother's Day is a waste of time in our houses where we just don't bother, but just get a carbon Eagle. We don't do any lunch. You see people go out. for Mother's Day lunch and Father's Day lunch. There's something wrong with him. Made you hopefully I'll be honest, I'm going out for lunch yesterday and dinner. So the other ones in that are Father's Day and Mother's Day is not we don't really bother with that. I sent my dad a text. And every year I say my daddy takes in Happy Father's Day. This is your card says thanks. That's it.
It's sincere. It's heartfelt. It's heartfelt. Anyway, Father's day it was a good one for Russell Fitzpatrick has eldest Matt winning the US Open. Nine years ago. Matt won the US amateur. That's the same venue.
No party. See nobody mentioned that. I did not know that. Nobody said yeah, no, it was great.
Your general thoughts on that? I mean, we'll come to that in a bit more detail in a second but as as a championship race. What did you think of us on
the golf course was fantastic. I had the fear because it was a hybrid set up laying down a hole that never been used before. Think they were technically using something like three loops of a nine or something. I don't know there was some weird setup they were using for the golf course was sensational. I could see a few people saying it wasn't a typical US Open set up. I thought they wanted faster gains. I didn't think the greens but as fast as people were making out, certainly not in previous years. I thought they got the rough. Perfect. It just had some cool some cool options that you could see guys hitting driver and other guys hadn't hybrid fairways for rotary the first couple of days we'll get to ready in a minute for his game plan in the first round was just unreal. The golf course made that tournament Yeah. 100% in the players turned up and delivered.
That's the thing. So I thought the golf course it was interesting watching different players and different strategies. Yeah. Wasn't like everyone was playing exactly sustain have a good core. And that's exactly, exactly. I'd love to go and play it. I think it was a lot of fun. I don't as he said in the pod last week, I don't really remember it that well from the 99 Ryder Cup for example, different car, so yeah, all those like old rock formations and all that sort of stuff is it was
I don't remember that. But maybe that was that probably wasn't even used and think to name that's the thing I don't. It's the cop. If you read any articles about this course, how it was very complicated to work out what Hall was what from what course and what direction so I thought just as a spectacle, it looked great. It did really, really impressive.
And if nothing else came from the week, I now know how to pronounce the 1913. US Open winner's name.
Yes. We all kind of got that wrong. Yes,
Francis. We may know in fact is Francis we met. We met. That's right. So there's that. Did you know that he won in 1931? What the US were laughing there was an awful lot of padding done. We get the long broadcasts but my word. Did
you see they only did it once last night. I was heartbroken. Did you see the NBC promo for the Open Championship? Yes. With the Scottish country music that looked like you know there was you know when you go through sky and you go through all the movie channels and then you get to the crap ones at the end like TNT and it's like there's always like these awful Christmas movie films. I've got a bunch of and they have they have a wedding in the Scottish castle and that's the music. That was the music for the NBC open promo. And I thought that is amazing. Play that again. And they never did it. So thanks Susie played it they obviously thought my god that was awful.
It was terrible but so bad.
The RNA must have been
on the phone again, for you did
what is this You commercial partner you
anyway, the graphic. I want to just get this out of the way straight away but the field goal graphics.
Amazing. Did you like that? Yeah, there was so many things that were hilarious. And it was for the wrong day. Yeah, it was few minute the red the red numbers as well. When you're in the red numbers you didn't the good numbers. That's why we say yeah, the red numbers. Putting guys or seven over parner eight number is confusing. Yeah, that's a prison sentence. Yeah.
It should be black should not black or blue. Right? They can't or even stick flames behind something. You can't have
a red number with a plus before to put a poo emoji next. If something I don't know, that's a bit far but the terrible
wasn't response. I didn't like the fuel gold afterthought was cut out. There's only one person evidently apart from you who's looking at that thinking. That's a great idea. And that is Greg Norman. And that is enough about love for this week. If we can avoid it, which I'm not sure we'll be able to. No, of course we're no Matt Fitzpatrick. Let's go straight there. No. I was watching Matt last night. And we'll talk about the way you played. Because it was very impressive and deserves a lot of attention. I remember way back right so we were laughing at the top about his us amateur when and I remember after he won that in 2013 a lot of talk of well he's gonna turn professionalism of course, yes. Strike while the iron is hot and all that stuff. And I was smiling watching it. But I thought about the aforementioned Russell Fitzpatrick's comments, Max dad said at the time, or shortly after Matt won the USM. He said he had gotten a university education. And here's why. If he turns pro after one year and it doesn't work out, and he doesn't have a degree, if he's just a flash in the pan, then what Matt did go to university went to Northwestern I think it was in the state spent maybe a semester they then decided now I'm turning professional dad. It's worked out. Okay, Russell, it's fine. You don't need to worry. And what a performance last night, just a thoroughly professional, dominant performance.
And you can't underestimate the nerves, he must have been feeling because he's never won in America. It's never done that he's never tasted that as a big deal last night to stand up. And his ball striking was just phenomenal. Absolutely. Absolute world class. And I did have the feeling that how long is he going to keep this going? And he managed to do that while others didn't. I said before I said last week in the preview, you need to play board and golf to win the US Open. He did. He wanted his game plan was just to hit greens. That's the most boring golf in the world. As for Huntington said, no one ever goes into yes open thinking they're going to shoot the lake. So Huntington said to win a US Open, you just need to turn up and play the most boring golf. middle of the fairway on the green hope for the best. And we shot two under last night in the grand scheme of things. It's not a big deal. But it was when it's US Open, you have to just withstand all the pain and still standing at the end of the 72 halls. And I thought he was absolutely magnificent.
I thought the tape of golf he played was weird. And wells Allah told us who will come on to in a sec. But when you're playing alongside somebody who just isn't really making any mistakes yet 17 getting his heart. Yeah, that's really hard to do. Exactly. Not just
that. He's the world's number one and the Masters champion, hunting them down as well as an even bigger deal,
explaining what that leaderboard was like, tonight. I know hold on to that final round. That's an impressive leaderboard. I guess in the past, we might have thought that, Matt, I don't know if it's because of his diminutive stature, or things like a poor Ryder Cup record and so on. You might have thought in the past bill, if anyone's going to Well, it's probably he'll be one of them. Not last night just looked in complete control of his ball and the tournament more or less from the off.
It looked very, very comfortable. I think there was a moment on the was it the 15th or 16th Green, it came around close with a pot. And he sort of turned to Billy foster it was it was a chance at bardini got his par. And he turned to belly for Stone had a slight a slight slight giggle and Foster had a slight giggle and they were just quite relaxed. It looks you know, we sometimes look at people who think they're like whether or not he genuinely looked seriously chilled out. And I think that's the same as someone that knows exactly what they're doing. And that's the benefit of belly Foster. I think he's been there. I'm stunned. I mean, I'm well aware that he's only that's his first major. But it is quite incredible to think that that is his only job. Because you've just had proper teamwork. And I think you said this morning, first thing we sat down that pedicure was at first Patrick's dad to just start talking about billing history rather than his own son. And that's the that was my first thing last night when their celebrations were happening. I just thought they were great scenes. They were like wholesome. That is me brother running over ignoring his brother is just one of us ought to go straight to his our tallest to offer his condolences. And that's just you said the word good people that I think that's brilliant. Yeah, that for everything that's happened in golf in the last five, six weeks. Golf Can I needed that.
That's the two minutes that we needed. But absolutely, yeah. And you're right. It was spontaneous. You know, you could tell this, you know, Fitzpatrick's reaction. He looked completely speechless. Just like, Oh, my God, this has happened.
And I think it's that because the difference between the masters and the PGA is that they're almost closed events. Whereas the open and the US Open. Anyone? That's, it's just something I know that sounds really cheesy, but it's the romance of that. That is pretty awesome. See the amount of people that enter the US Open? It's absolutely frightening. So for him to come out on top, I think the way that he did it, the guys got in the bag, the family in the background, a beat the world number one. EB who arguably, is probably one of the hottest players in golf right now is our tortoise. He doesn't it does not look like he's going to be a one major wonder it looks like he's going to compete. Because he's been there before. It's not like he's come out out the pack for the first time and won. That's not the case. He's a quality player Fitzpatrick. He just hasn't managed to do on the PGA Tour yet. But that's a big That's seriously difficult.
Of course, as certainly I got a message last night from a listener Sean nailless. You want to point out that Matt Fitzpatrick in the age of 2720, has done something that guys like Ian Poulter, and Lee Westwood have not been able to do and when you think about the careers that those two guys have had Add, despite everything that's going on and all the noise, it actually makes you realize, oh my god, that is a genuinely unbelievable achievement English golfers haven't got the greatest record in majors over the last, you know, what, four years or so. And, you know, Justin Rhodes obviously since failed or you've had Justin Rose, Danny Willett. And that's Patrick, that show a lot in the men's major. It's
unbelievable, isn't it? When you think of the players I know. Well, that's the whole thing. There's that English generation and this is gonna sound terrific, but those who English generation didn't quite deliver on the backstage a bell at the football team.
Oh, boy, oh my God,
but you think of the talent on that scene. Guys that Paul Casey. Look Donald, Ian Poulter. Lee Westwood. There's a few more that just didn't quite deliver on the backstage westward. You remember back to 2008. US Open Lee Westwood was close. You know that he's had so many chances. But
listen, runnings, hard
asset, you get no divine right to win a major No, the so many guys. It's so many genuinely world class players that have not won a major and to be honest, I've never really been that close. If you look at filter, how many times in his entire career has built up genuinely had a chance to win a
match? I can only think of one really impressive finish that he had and that would have been back deal in 2008. Yeah, that was you didn't really contend that was like the search through the party was
unbelievable. And that last night that back then but that said, it's it's extremely difficult to win a major you have to turn up and play your best golf for four days, which is exactly what Rory is struggling with at the moment. He
certainly has come on tour in two seconds. Firstly, Sheffield. What's going on there? Danny Willett from Sheffield. I know that fits Pat as Sheffield the new home of golf bliss. No. No has more major champions than Japan than South can hear the New Zealand or
it's just amazing. Great. Just blowing.
Very impressive. Rory. How do we sum up has week to be spent the positive? Is it another step in the right direction? I mean, top 10s and ultra the major so far this year, or is that a big chance balloon?
I don't think they both. It's about both. There's no doubt Rory is Rory is playing good golf. He wasn't the only one to not win yesterday put it that way. And he would rather be where he is then mess and cuts and we're a Fiat few other star names were my issue with Rory as that grinding is hard to do. I'm very surprised at I wasn't actually annoyed that he sat it around. It wasn't surprised me because it was only three off the lead to things like he played well and certainly didn't pull up just didn't hold anything. But I thought he's thirsty and Friday rounds. I thought there was a new Rory, I genuinely thought this is he just looks. It looks different. It looked confident. Even when he wasn't holding up. He was bouncing off the green. It looked aggressive. I don't know. I honestly thought he turned a corner. And then yesterday happens. It's hard, you know. I think he made big mistakes. When Schaeffler and Fitzpatrick needed to hit that par five fairway on the back nine. They did really didn't. I just there's little moments that he didn't turn up that hard grinding as a bit of an issue with Rory. But he's not. He's not out of it. Rah rah, he's, he's a much better player than he was a year ago. And he's getting back. I just think there's something going to be going to happen. We're already in the next couple of years because he looks like that too. He just looks like he's had different attitudes. They tonight stayed back last night to congratulate Fitzpatrick absolute class. He's not downtrodden believe me as a very different Rory from repine. Sharp and oh yeah, stomping off not talking to anyone. That's a that's a different roadie last night is attitude is different. And I think that will pay dividends for him
is embracing the more senior role. I think that he's gotten the game just now. Yeah, it's not. It's not a crutch or what you call a monkey on his back or anything like that. He seems to really revel in it a bit like he did with the Ryder Cup. When you think back to UFC in a row. It suddenly became the big star and was the one that everyone looked to and fine didn't beat Patrick reed that day in on the Sunday but he
handled it handled setting on the shoulders a lot more comfortable in in the dead previously. You just looks like he's a bit more comfortable. But look, how many players do you honestly think you've got a chance at winning the open at St. Andrews. That could be what 1015 within a genuine Chances Who all think themselves, they've got a really, really good opportunity.
I think they're a little bit. I'm not saying players are scared of roadie, but I think there'll be a little bit more attention paid to him now than there was at the start of this year. And that you're talking about him turning a corner being a new roadie. I think, fair enough. He's not fully there yet. But he's getting pretty damn close. And if he can just maintain that's, he doesn't need to find anything new for me at this point in time just needs to put four rounds. Yeah,
I would think a bigger story would be what happened to John Ron. John. You know, it just was it'll be a bit of a surprise. You know, people will say we're bashing really, we're not bashing. But there's John rom who didn't play, you know, didn't play that great. Mod Acaba had a bit of a blow up.
I mean, put himself in poor position, Monica. Yeah.
There was Xander shortly. I wasn't even sure he was there.
But it was kept go five over nonfactor. Yeah, Dustin Johnson. At least he turned up in the Sunday. Yeah.
Grayson, Bryson not great. So
yeah, all that said, a very strong leaderboard, despite those big names, not bringing their best stuff throughout one of these big names, we're gonna have to start giving them less credit as well as our tourists and other incredible major performance. I'll hold my hands up. I said on the show last week, that didn't seem as a factor at the US Open because of the pattern as much as anything else. vein, great lag, but I think I thought he had to, I said, you know, over the three four footers, the cleaning up I didn't fancy his chances. How wrong
was as long as the ball was in the hole, it doesn't necessarily matter how it goes in the hole. Yeah. But there is no doubt he's not comfortable with because that's why the stroke looks like that, you know, there was a classic, slow motion footage of his his path. Now on a pup. Your path isn't always straight back in through, you can have a different, you know, an angle to your stroke, but Hass light as people say it's like he's seen in his knee.
You know, so as auto move, but,
but this is the strange thing I genuinely think. I don't know how you would explain this. And I don't know the technical look for it. But I I think he has the look of a guy who's got the yips. But he's the only guy in history that has the look of a guy that's got the lips that appears to be quite a good pasta wholesome. Yeah, he had, he had them off the tool, but it consistently hits off. So it's almost like he knows the strokes a bit wavy, but it works exactly. And he looked, he looks confident. And I liked the fact that you bet back to a few people that were criticizing him saw and listen to the guys on tour a lot better Pato than he would pray to have a stroke like that. If it gets them, you know, top twos and threes and top fives and the majors. Well, as you
said, it's about the results. Yeah. The stroke can be what it as if the ball was in the hall, who cares?
This guy a couple of years ago was playing Korn Ferry. This guy is a phenomenal golfer. I mean, off the tee is fantastically isn't He's got everything apart from this little thing. Which seems to be a wee bit of the fear
as an idiosyncrasy, but lots of golfers have idiosyncrasies. Yeah, thing is only a problem when it starts being a problem. And it's not a problem.
It's not really a problem is master couple, but a few players have Mr. Roddy semester couple go down, but it's the manner in which he's messing it that's making people go wait a minute, but they forget the fact that he hauls a lot from three feet here. But I'm telling you don't know. Here's the look of a guy that's got the apps, but appears to work and I've got no idea how to
look at as major record. You go back to 2018 domestic cut in the US Open. That was his debut. Since then. Tied sets. Second tie dates cut. You withdrew from the open last year. Tied six second tied second. Do you know who that reminds me of? Brooks Capcom? Yeah, Brooks kept tons and tons up in the majors. I liked the fact that Zelda tortoise is doing it and doesn't appear to be as Americans would see. Douche somewhat of a different personality. Like this is something that we that's another golf cliche that we take the piss out of. You want to try and peek four times a year and he's doing it
I know, but I saw somebody interact I see last night I thought that's a really, really good point. How much pain does does it set in your head that you pick all the time? They get nothing back? That's quite difficult, and eventually that will hurt. But that's what happened to Mickelson. Again, Mickelson was phenomenal and majors for years and got nothing absolutely nothing
13 years from turning pro until he got a major one Yeah. And then then he got six here and then he got LED but fine. Oh, Salah told us only one professional when and that is on the Korn Ferry. So you're right there's gonna be a question mark over his ability to close by At least put himself in with a chance of winning. That's That in itself someplace. I don't think he will break through.
I don't know if it's closing I would certainly say I mean he's not really had like a five shot lead and anything like that. Maybe I know what you're saying but
conveying winnable Yeah.
I honestly thought that party has an eating I thought that was dropping. I honestly thought that was going in.
It looked like oh, by the way. I don't really fancy his chances at the open St. Andrews. Those green complexes? Yeah, I don't know. We'll see. I was wrong last week. I'm prepared to be
the expert the end of the day. It is an absolutely world class player without doubt. He's one of the best players in the world. He's playing some of the best golf in the world right now. I think he can turn up at St. Andrews and have every right to be very very confident.
Okay, then the golf course. You're like that women in the Alan Partridge show this time that if I say the sky is blue, you'll say but it's getting worse. There's a little bit of conceding this semester to the course. Can we agree on that at least I'm going to give props to the USGA. I thought they nailed it and genuinely thought they got it spot on. It wasn't tricked up it was just tough.
Yeah, no I disagree no fantastic make one had a tricky one because we said last week that it's quite difficult to set your course up exactly the way you want it you know they were watering the Greens during the round and so on and I know a few people annoyed at that fame safety didn't order the Greens during the round and it got it got crazy and away from them to get the get Pelto exactly it's very very difficult to set that course up the way you want it to go. I thought some of the offers brittle. I thought some of that off was absolutely pinpoint rain, the greens it was pinpoint. I don't think any player was really made to look stupid apart from Grace and money and when he was made to look stupid, I thought it was great.
What are we getting that club through that you're talking about in the final round in terms of like there's two things you have to get either on execution out of 10
I thought he's execution II didn't look like he had any pre shot routine for it. So I thought his execution was fine but techniques that other one technique was fine but it lacked torque right when you're doing a proper club through you need the torque in there remember Sergio was that and there was a good there was lag he created lag in about a torque rotate the Hon decline in unleashed it with arrests there wasn't much of a follow through and there was a bit of like a rotor blades yeah good noise and and a bit of weft with the most there was a bit annoyed. Grayson muddies there's a bit more of a spontaneous angry top javelin throw
it looked like he was throwing the club for his dog to go and fair
Yes. There wasn't a lot of
I wasn't committed enough
no and and also I don't know whether he had to go and get it after this is broken I went through our club up a tree at the Westminster Hall at home part nine tents 10 Mountain Park up the up the hill No 13 I think it is Anna throught a club up the tree and it gets stuck and my dad has been behind me to get one of my pals to climb up the tree and get and one of your powers more you because I didn't want to go up and when the when the club was sitting in the top of the tree I thought I'll just knock it down myself so I took a glass bottle of a umbrella in my bag and opportunity to hit my pole not going to join I've got the club back but there's that shame I've happened to determine what you've thrown away so the fact that you see you had to go and get it that makes me happy that was good. And then he snapped one day he snapped that club over about one that afternoon I don't think
so. Yeah, so you didn't throw it far enough collected it storage and over the knee there is a very angry man
yes very angry surprise knees say that anything is clear so far.
I'd love to talk more about the US Open but can't because times against us. Oh I we have lots lots to get through on this episode as I said at the start
just moving me to the side here. Sorry. Can't think why?
Well coming up after the break. We have an interview with a very special guest I did give us the treatment on Twitter last week maybe teased you with who it's going to be there were a lot of suggestions people thinking it's Greg Norman it's not Greg Norman although he has been on twice before few people suggesting Tiger it's not Tiger Did you see Steve has like but yes not good go and check out the bunker Twitter account to see how Tiger right leg looks like a hole. Yes. Someone else suggested all Tom Morris. That's impossible. That's it as impossible.
Could be the ghost of all tomatoes. Yeah, that's actually a good podcast episode.
Let's bring in like one of those mediums if they can connect. There's one
downstairs, worse Kirsty he works send events Kirsty is training to be I can't believe we're talking about their sweet Yeah Are you kidding me on no I'm not she's training to do that.
So Kirsty will be on next week's episode I'm gonna be the open preview of when we try to connect with all Tom. Knowing our luck we'll probably pick up Alan Robertson instead but you know we'll give it our best shot
last night he was his boss wasn't he? think Alan Robertson was yeah,
it's complicated. The fail over balls. Anyway. True story look up. Anyway, none of those special guests coming up after the break. None other than the multi million social media followed page spat UNAC got a great chat with Paige coming up for you after the break. Before we get there though. I want to give a huge shout out to Rick shields. If you're listening to this, you know who actually was as he's again I'm talking about Paige having millions of followers. Rick has over 2 million subscribers on YouTube the most followed golf YouTuber and for good reason. The stuffs fantastic. But last week, Rick decided to take on an epic challenge and support on prostate cancer UK he walked from Prestwick site of the first open all the way to St. Andrews, site of the 100 and 50th. Open this summer. That's a monumental effort as it worked out, it was actually almost exactly 150 miles. So while nicely done, it took him a good few days. And as I said, all in the name of a good cause wreck has raised over 100,000 pounds for prostate cancer. Amazing. On top of all the awareness that he's raised as well. I caught up with them when he was quite early in the challenge struggling along Wellfleet as he was attempting to leave Glasgow at a chat with him last week. Here's what Rick had to say.
Survived surviving. Michael at the moment I've been in day three currently, I've just done eight miles a day three. So a long way to go still to the halfway point. But you know, I'm coping I've got some great support team with me. And a lot of time I'm just head down and following along to kind of keep myself busy
reminders. Why are you doing this? What's the reason why you putting yourself through this incredible physical exertion?
I think a couple of reasons. First, I do like to use my platform to do good. I'm very fortunate that I've got a fantastic audience. I think it's really worthwhile. And something that I enjoy doing is putting myself through these things, bring the community together and to raise money for charity. As a huge YouTube golf day back in 2019 raise money for prostate cancer. In 2021, I did the walk every day in February, my golf balls in my bag to raise money for mine charity. All right, let's go bigger this year. And they kind of fit in quite nicely walking from Prestwick, which is the first ever open venue back in 1860s. Over to St. Andrews, which obviously this year is hopefully Open Championship. And then it worked out quite nicely that if we plotted it a certain way, it'd be about 150 miles to celebrate 150 open. And then prostate cancer, you know, me luckily Touchwood I've only one closely to me affected. But it's more my audience on YouTube on social media audience is a very male dominant, and potentially high risk category of a certain age. So anything I can do to raise awareness, you know, and I've had loads of incredible messages on my YouTube and social media people say, you know, I've been affected, or my dad's been affected, and my friends being affected by this at the moment, I've lost my job. Because of this is definitely gonna make it all worthwhile. So yeah, that's the kind of the reason for it. And, you know, I'm really enjoying it.
Good for you, man. That's a fantastic effort and a really great cause in prostate cancer as well to not just raise money for but raise awareness because awareness is so crucial, particularly when it comes to early diagnosis. We know the great work that's been done in terms of research, the great work the medical staff can do, but clearly critically, that early awareness of the symptoms and signs of this disease are our key to survival and field recovery and time. Hopefully, you're doing all this with a bag of golf clubs on your back as well. It's not like I mean, you could it's not easy walk in that distance wreck but you've made it even harder. Yeah.
You know what to link up to? Obviously, my passion and love for golf. Amazing how many people were stopped or passed on that it's kind of joke to me and so I'm playing golf Why are you playing golf? And I'll kind of jokingly say to just St. Andrews like, Are you currently a long way away? You know? 10 seconds explaining what I'm doing and suddenly Oh, wow, it's amazing. So it's more of a talking point, obviously, is making the challenge a bit harder. Yeah, it's more it's more just a way of me putting it all putting it all together and walking, the golf clubs the walking from first open venue to 100 this year. It's kind of putting putting kind of everything into one place. Really.
Yeah, yeah, exactly. And finally, look how you keep in the spirits up. I mean, you sound in good form, just know you sound really good. But there's, there's still a long way to go. So obviously the good cause you're doing it for it's going to help and keep you motivated. But, you know, are you in the gang singing songs or listening to audiobooks? What are you doing?
For phone calls? Funnily enough, I've got my wife as much as I have on the phone this week. She's going wow, this is great. I consulted on the phones not quite nice. And, you know, across the boardwalk, because we've now got, we've got a live tracker going on, as well at the moment. So a lot of fans have been coming and following the route, whether it's going past their house or their workplace and then just kind of positive messages online. The fact that I've been reading positive messages, but I think it's gonna get tougher. Three of six I know it's gonna get tougher Mark, Mark, kind of rainbow at the end of the trip is St. Andrews, and a wife and three kids are going to be driving up there on Sunday maintenance, started with encouragement. And we've had a couple of talks about presswork meet up people getting down and cover again yesterday, lots of people get down and we've got Gleneagles coming up on Friday we're doing the meet up so that those little stop off points and you know, things just focus on your mind off the pain sometimes.
Like, I can't commend you enough what you're doing is blowing for such an important worthy cause. And I absolutely I'm sure everyone listening to this and the golf community as well beyond well, will tip their caps here. So keep plodding on one step at a time one foot in front of the other and yeah, I'm sure there'll be some Day celebrations and St. Andrews Come Come Sunday night so good for you mate. Keep on keep on going. A few guesses Yeah, by that point, you'll have a random Yeah, good on you. Keep on going mate. You're doing fantastic. Thanks, Michael. Yeah, fantastic stuff there from rec as you can tell, he sounded a little bit weary. It was a couple of days Hunter's challenge but he struggled on I believe even at a stress fracture and his leg about like Tiger roots in the 2008 US Open, but he struggled on and made it to the finish line some really cool scenes and St Andrews last night. Go and check it Rex social media accounts and you'll you'll see how cool it looked. But more importantly, if you want to donate there is still time to donate to Rex effort. So you want to go to just giving.com forward slash rec shields walk one five all so just giving.com forward slash Rick shields walk 150 So you can go and contribute there. Well done to wreck fantastic effort in deed and as I said loads more to come on this week's episode of the bunker podcast in association with Callaway do not go anywhere
when we think speed we think about speed tuning every aspect of the new Rogue SD drivers.
Really I just think about smashing it when you think total
power we think of our tungsten speed cartridge or what speed cartridge I don't know. I like what he does. When we think max distance we think oh that's bombs our fastest most stable driver ever. There's only one thing he will
think about smoked it bombed sia thinks speed go rope with Callaway, the kings of distance.
Welcome back part two of this week's episode of the bunker podcast in association with Callaway page spending coming up in a second place. The fallout from last week's Revelation where I said very much anti yellow golf balls. You're you're not a huge fan. But you're not prepared to ban them. I am not a huge fan. I want them gone. The fallout has been pretty much as predicted a few messages on social media, some people disgusted with you. Yeah. But I did like this from Steven Baird, a listener got in touch. And said just finished the latest podcast this morning and I'm getting in touch at the color of the balls. A few years ago on a work outing. I was out with a guy in my team who had these bright orange balls that were meant to be unusable. This was his entire reason for using them. They were absolutely hideous. He then went on to lose the whole sleeve of these bright orange unlovable balls and has not been allowed to forget it. So I'm fully on board with getting them into golf room. 101. Thank you very much, Steven. The campaign is gathering momentum. I can feel I can feel it. We're on the cusp of something big here. And soon, there will only be a golf balls place.
I think you are on your own on that campaign.
Well, clearly not Stevens for it. You and Steven are on your own and that campaign. Anyway, I've teased it enough page spread an act very excited to have Paige on this week's episode. Big thanks to our friends at shortstop for making it happen. Paige is now a brand ambassador bliss I'm sure you're perfectly aware. This is the second time that I've spoken to Paige spoke to her once before at dundonald links when she was taking part in the lady Scott shopping a few years ago. I say a few years ago, more accurately, a million followers ago. Yes. How to count is doing rather well. So very excited to have Paige on the show us the chat now. Cold their page, how are you doing?
I'm good. I'm glad we can finally like reconnect again.
I know it's been it's been too long for years. For years. I mean, back then I think we met up at dundonald links when you were playing in the lady Scottish open as it was. And a lot of stuff has happened in those four years as CDs. But we'll get to all that in a second. But first and foremost have to say a huge thanks to our friends at short scope for connecting us you're obviously an ambassador, no for short scope page. Tell me a little bit about that. Because that's a Scottish brand you're partnering with. We know the guys, well. They're really exciting. They've got some cool ideas, how and why are you working with them? And what are the plans going forward for that partnership?
Yeah, so I really love their products. And so when they reached out, I was really excited, we ended up you know, kind of working something out. But I, I wanted to get my data, but honestly, like, I hate wearing things like around my wrist and I play golf and so like, their technology was so cool that you can, you know, connect it to the rangefinder. And so you just have one device, instead of having all of these devices on, you're trying to figure it out. And so I have really, I mean, as you know, we talked, you know, back when I was playing, then I like honestly was so off on golf had no passion for it. But recently, I wanted to get my game a little bit better. And I just started keeping my stats through shots scope, and I was like, holy moly, I am missing so many shots where I thought it was my driver, but it's really your irons. And then I was like, Well, my chip is good. It's like no, you're tripping is actually not good. Just go keeps me honest. But they're really cool. I really liked working with them. We're doing a ton of really awesome content series. So if you check out my YouTube channel, I'm just kind of learning through the data and then giving you practice drills and how I'm trying to improve. And you know, I think it's really cool that it's like I'm using their technology to get better. And I think we all want to just get better. And I think a lot of people don't they don't know where they're losing their strokes or like, oh, so they're not hitting it 350 off the tee. And it's like, no, no, no, it's because 100 yards a day, you're not missing out, you're missing greens, and you're double chipping. And so yeah, it's been really cool to work with them. And I'm excited for like more things that are coming up.
Yeah, it's funny because you know, when you use a short scope, one of their products and you get all that info, you get that data, and it tells you exactly where your problems are. That makes you more focused and makes you more determined to even go and practice like I hate practicing. Standing on the driving range for hours just bores me to tears. I just can't do it. But when you have something like that to work on makes you think just determined to you know what, actually, I'm gonna get this figured out. I'm gonna get it right. And from what you're saying it sounds like that's either positive impact on not just your own game, but your relationship with golf. It sounds like you're now back in a better place your sounds like you actually want to play golf again. Yeah, what are you What's your game at the moment?
It comes and goes, there are days where I'll go out and I'll shoot like a 66 or 68. And you're and I'm like, should I go play professionally again? And then I like snap hook in this shit. And I'm like, No, I am good. Just fine. I think I have a really like love hate relationship with the game. And I've been very honest about that. Even before I started playing professionally, I wasn't sure if I want to play anymore. And then I gave it that little bit of a run, which was like a very traumatic experience for me because I had so many eyes on me and that your first year is professional, it's kind of time for you to learn and to fail and to grow. And I never really had a lot of room to be able to do that because there was so much criticism on me. And so that really took a toll on my love for the game and just my relationship with golf. And it's tea You can yours honestly to get to like a really healthy place where I can go out and play a fun round of golf and Miss hit a shot and not be so upset about it, where before it would really get into my head even sometimes now where it's like I'm, I have to keep score where I'm playing, you know, like a game with my buddies. And there's just like something about like keeping score for me that I still haven't quite gotten over. And so it's always like a work in progress, always trying to get better. But yeah, like ebbs and flows, but I think everyone can relate to that, too. It's just like, golf just messes with you so much that you have those days. We're like, I love golf is the best game ever these days, really, I want to quit I Why am I putting myself through this torture, but that's what keeps us coming back. It's like, just this cycle of just torture, and we're everybody plays golf, we're just so sick in the head, and we just love it.
That's a very good way of putting it actually, you're right. And that love or fear does come and go, doesn't it? But you mentioned there, you know, the the criticisms you got early in your career. And as I look back, you know, I think what what were the criticizing or for and, bluntly, it feels like the criticism was, you can't be good looking and be good at golf. It's those two things can't go hand in hand. And it seems like you just got such a hard time for really superficial reasons. Is that how you feel about it? As you reflect? Yeah,
I think looking back on it, a lot of the hate that I got felt, it feels very unfair. I do see now where the criticism is coming from because we look at women in sports, and especially in golf, they make pennies compared to the guys. And so for me to come out and not be established and to have these partnerships and to be getting these endorsements when I have proven myself. I do understand that. But a lot of people didn't realize that I was never signed. On the tour side of things. I was always signed as like a media partner. And so I was doing media work to pay for my golf career. And so there was quite a mesh in that especially I think when like when I was with back in dundonald, I was with Callaway at the time, and people like, it's unfair, that she has this partnership with Callaway, and I'm like, Well, I'm actually doing their media, like I'm not sad sign on the tour side. So a lot of people again, got that mixed up. And I even think that, like a couple of the girls who were pretty harsh to have reached out and you know, said like, things fine. I think my intentions were always so pure going into it, where I really just wanted to have money to be able to pursue this dream of playing professional golf. And I just so happened to be modeling and be very comfortable in my own skin. And you know, even at that time, I really wasn't pushing any boundaries. I didn't feel like I was posting anything, you know, inappropriate, or that was crossing lines. So yeah, it did seem a little bit unfair. But that's just kind of how golf is where there's, if there's something just a little bit different, or out of the box, people are up in arms about I mean, remember the blade colors, the outrage with a blade collar or golf course, it's like, These things are so little, but in the golf world, they're these massive changes, because we're so tied into tradition, because that honestly does. That's what makes it off. So special is the tradition. So it's like how do you preserve that, but also get progression? And so I think I just kind of got the short end of the stick where, you know, I was doing something a little bit different. No one in my position was pursuing media, especially digital media while playing and no one has ever really seen kind of the my career like, no one's ever done that before. So I think it just kind of threw everyone for a loop.
I can't really compare for for obvious reasons. But I mean, like, look, I've got 10,000 Twitter followers, and the DMS that I get, and I think I'm just a journalist, okay, I just, I just put stuff out there. I put stories out there and occasionally offer an opinion. Some of the DMS I get from those 10,000 people, it's like, I can't believe an adult is writing that stuff. You've got 3.3 million Instagram followers. Okay, so that's math, I can't do in my head, you know, 10,000 divided by 3.3. But let's be like for like, you're probably going to get a hell of a lot more DMS. I mean, how tough is that, psychologically to deal with on a daily basis, like some of the stuff that must be said to you.
So when I first started all of this out again, I never wanted to pursue this. I was never like, I want to be famous. I want all the eyes on me. I really just did this out of necessity to make money for my golf career. And so I was really thrown off by having this much, much attention on me. And I'm actually just actually pretty shy. And so it took a while to get comfortable with it. And especially when I was playing and all of the DMS were about how I was playing and how badly I was playing. And so it's like in my mind, I already knew that I wasn't playing well and I was already doubting my Golf. And so that's what it was really hard. It's hard when they hit on something that you're already insecure about. And so once I stopped playing golf, and I just fully leaned into my brand and who I am, and my media side, I really just let it go. And I like when I get some criticism now, because that means that what I'm doing is creating a reaction. And so that's what we're all trying to do. We're trying to start conversations, we're trying to get engagement. And so you have to have around 70% Hate and 30% love to grow and to get your content out there. And so I embrace it. Now I like it. I'm very honest about you know, what I'm doing and the content that I'm putting out there. And I think a lot of people really like that authenticity and the Honest, honest about what I am doing and the content that I am creating. And so the content, the DMS that I got very early in my career were horrible, like, really, really bad. And now they're more kind of like cheeky and fun. And I think that there's been like a really big progression of like, just people understanding me more understanding that this is like a bit. It's a joke as a character compared to like, this person is trying to ruin golf. So it has gotten so much better. Oh, my gosh, I got I was getting death threats because they said that I was ruining women's golf. And people were like, death threats, death threats, like people harassing me and my family and telling me to like they wanted to kill me because I was horrible for women's golf, and like putting the progression of women back 100 years and like the most outrageous stuff, and people were so upset about it. And so now it's like that, like you're in there, but nowhere near to where it was first started.
You've totally got that loss reward. Because I think some of the things that Gates said to me, you know, like, Oh, you're terrible journalists. And I feel like going into the fetal position and going into a darkened room and having a little cry. But death threat is next level page. That is that's way out there.
Yeah, it's, uh, you know, it's, I don't know if it's funny or sad, but I'm so desensitized to it. Now. I started this fun little thing on Thursdays on my Instagram, I called Thirsty Thursdays where I release my DMs into the world. And I keep it anonymous. I don't you know, expose anyone, but I put one out, and I thought it was very humorous. And people were like, that is disgusting. Are you okay? Is your, like safety, okay. And, um, it was almost like a realization like, oh, my gosh, I've been doing this for so long. And I'm so used to seeing stuff like this constantly over and over and over again, that I don't even realize that that is like perhaps like sexual harassment. I just think it's funny. And I think that's just kind of how everything is moving forward with this stuff. You just get so desensitized to it. You're like, another death threat? No big deal.
I mean, that's a that's a that's a good thing. And it's a good thing and a bad thing, I guess. I mean, to be able to dismiss it and not have it really heavily emotionally, psychologically, impact is one thing, but as you say, to be desensitized completely. That's not necessarily a healthy thing. You could see why psychologists might come up to and go, no page, you need to have some kind of response to that.
Yeah. But you know, it was really interesting, because when I started to do that, I think guys were shocked by the DMS that I was actually getting. And so it really just changed everything around. And so since I've started doing that, all the messages that have been coming in are actually like, really nice. And they're funny. And they're interesting now, because I think they were truly shocked that like, another human being can send that to someone else. And I don't think a lot of people just can process like what a lot of people deal with, day in and day out. And I even get that sometimes when I respond to someone's tweets, and then they'll message me later. And they're like, I can't even deal with this. I delete my tweet because of all of the negative comments and all of this stuff. And like I said, I just blocked it out now because it's just a part of my job part of like, my way of life now. And it's just like, oh my god, like, I don't read anything anymore. I will never google myself. I tried to like not look at the bad messages. Like I'm so good at just scanning through and trying to find the good stuff. So yeah, it's been a process of like learning and how to handle all of it. But you just almost have to have like a laugh at off approach and just be like, like, I don't even know that person is anyways, like nothing ever happens. Nothing ever comes of it. So they're just trying to get a reaction and then you just brush it off.
People just your family may call but what do they say?
At first? It was a huge shock to everyone. And I think it was really hard, especially for my mom because she didn't really understand social media. And it was just like, why are you doing this? What's going on? Cambly people would say this, my dad, you know, he would respond to people here and there on Twitter and then We just got to the point again, where it's like, they call you a sloth once like, then you don't care if they call you it like 100. Other times, you know. And again, I think it's like, to me, this is a persona, and it's a very, like, exaggerated version of myself. And so all my friends and my family know me, and I'm very different outside of the CLP drink a character. And so I think we're really able to separate it and go, Okay, this is work. And you know, we'll leave that up, you know, in the office, and then you know, when you come home, well, we're not going to talk about, we're not going to talk about what people are saying, we're just going to move on. And so we've really found, like, a really healthy balance between both of them, but it was hard, definitely at first, and there's still certain comments that, you know, some someone will say that my parents were like, Did you see that, and we'll laugh about it now, compared to before, we're like, oh, that person is just like, so stupid. So they have a really great attitude about it. And I think a lot of people are like, Your parents must be so disappointed, because you're going on this path of being a professional athlete. And now you, you know, essentially use your body for likes. And it's, it's not that I mean, I've actually built like a really successful, thriving business. And that's what my parents see, they see that I'm financially independent, and I'm growing something that no one has ever done before that I'm, you know, really pushing these boundaries. And so they're really proud of me, and they've only ever wanted me to just be happy. But that's why I never post my family. And I never post friends. And a lot of people were like, Well, why do you, you know, keep your private life so private, because of those reasons, because I don't want them to get attacked, because I signed up for this, but they didn't sign up for this. And so it's just, you know, if you go to a car Instagram page, you're not going to see pictures of that person's family. And, you know, it's me on the brand. So I'm not going to be putting, you know, sometimes I'll post my mom, because everyone loves my mom decided that I was got her approval beforehand. And, you know, it's on things that people can't really comment on. So we have these little rules and things that we do. And they're Yeah, just super supportive.
That's great to hear. You talk about like, keeping private life private, and you know, having those, I guess, the line in the sand between work and not working. Social media, though. I mean, I know myself just how tempting it is to pick up the phone when you're meant to be not looking at social media, because it's your job. And next thing, you know, you spent half an hour an hour, two hours scrolling through the endless vacuum, that is Twitter or Instagram. And you've completely forgotten to switch off. I mean, how do you manage to switch off,
so I put limits on when I can use my phone. So when it hits, you know, eight or nine, depending on what's going on, if it's like a major week or a big sporting week, I do have to be on my phone all the time. Like, you know, even yesterday, I was doing something else I was working, I was recording my own podcast, and I looked, and I missed the John rom interview, and you have to be the first one to post something, because that's a lot of engagement. That's a lot of eyes. And so you do feel like you have to be on your phone 24/7 Because if you miss something, someone else gets it, you have to be the first one to post it. And so that's really hard. So it's like I have my business hours that I'm working. But at night, I noticed that I was spending hours on my phone and I wasn't sleeping, I was just getting really in my head about everything I was just so consumed with, you know, work that I was never disconnecting. And so now I put my phone down, don't look at it, trying to read trying to get away from it. Because I know that if I don't do that I'm going to burn out and with social media and how exhausting it is. And all of you know the IRS overstimulated all the time that I have to set these boundaries, or I will probably just not want to do this. And for another two, three years. You really do have to like think about it as work. And that's what I wasn't doing before too. I wasn't separating. I was like, I'm just on my phone scrolling all the time. It's like no, when you're on your phone, you're there for purpose. So you're looking for funny interview clips, you're looking for anything that there is you're not just scrolling aimlessly, you have a purpose when you go on your phone, so that's awesome, too.
So when you are chilling out and you're relaxing, and you're not paying attention to goal for social media, I mean, what do you do to escape? Are you Yeah, Netflix boxset Bunger you know what, what do you do?
I do like to watch shows. I just watched the crash which was all about the WeWork business, right? So it had Jared Leto in and halfway in it was really, really good. So I'll try to watch a show. I'll try to read I like to cook.
What's your speciality?
So I'm a really good baker. Alright, okay. Yes, baking is my specialty. I'm like I'm a decent cup. But baking like I make incredible cakes, cupcakes cookies like that's like my go to. But yeah, I really don't have much time to do other things or like have hobbies. Is or see friends or family, I was just talking to someone the other day. And I was like, sometimes I just feel like life is passing me by because I'm so focused in on my work and what I'm doing. And I put my head down so much looking at my phone that I never like come up to breathe and actually experience life. So I'm really trying to have a work life balance, because that's something I've always really struggled with. And I am very unsuccessful with it. But I'm trying to
do that. Exactly. That's always a New Year's resolution, isn't it? Geez, let's talk about a few of the players on tour then just name a few the bank names Tiger, not playing the US Open. So as we record just now I should point out for our for the listeners that is the eve of the US Open Wednesday, Tigers not playing at Brookline question marks over how much he's going to play when he's going to play EFILive or when again, if you were to look into a crystal ball page and go five years down the line has Tiger won again. Has he won another major again? What do you see for him?
I think Tiger will win again. I think he's going to win another major. I know everyone's really disappointed that he's not playing in the US Open but we fail to forget that he made two cuts after his incredible comeback. I mean, he made a cut at the Masters he made a cut at the PGA which is going Shelford and make the cut at the PGA a lot of really big names didn't make a cut at the PGA Championship. So I think his game is still there. And he has the desire, I wish that he wished that he was playing the US Open because when he's in golf, he makes it so much better. But I like the fact that he's resting up and he's gonna go for the open because if he has a chance to win again, another major it's going to be at Augusta or it's going to be at an open and I think that you know this, I don't wanna say like, this is his year because you never know, but I will never put anything past Tiger like after that incident. I thought he was never gonna walk again. Like never play golf again. And within the same year he's playing majors and making cuts and it he's just such an incredible athlete that you just can never put anything past him.
Exactly. You mentioned he's playing the open Andrews next month. Have you ever played St. Andrews? I haven't. I'll put in a good word. I'll see if I can play. Phil Mickelson I don't even know where to start with Phil at this point in time. But yeah, a lot of noise about him because of the the live golf Invitational series and everything that goes with that. You and I actually have something in common here page, we are both blocked. I feel like we should start, you know, a support group. Like fig jam anonymous. That could be as you know, I'll be the president. You could be the treasurer or we'll invite other people in but I have to ask what did you do? Like did you get blocked? I
don't know. And so this is the craziest story. So I met Phil like years prior. He was really nice. He came up to me I was working with Ms. Animate at the time. And so he was like, that's really cool that you know, we have that connection there. I love what you do on social media. And I was like, Thanks, Phil, like, you're awesome.
Thumbs up, no way.
And then, like a year later, I saw him at the Phoenix Open. Same thing he walked by bones brought me a water and I was like, that was really cool. And so like I always thought there was like, like a fine relationship between us like friendship or non friendship. I like I don't know him. And those are the only two interactions that we had. And so when he won the PGA, I was like, Let's go Phil, like gassing him up saying like, the nice things about him and I'm like looking I'm like, I can't freakin tag him. Why can I tag him? And so I'm looking and looking and I click on someone else's tag and it says blocked and so I kind of made a little bit think about it. So I was like, this is just so weird because I if I should be blocked by someone, it should be like Bryce, like I have publicly like criticize Bryson. Um, that's kind of it like I'm actually like, fairly pro players like I try to see both sides of it. I tried to get people to benefit doubt. I've never say anything bad about Phil. And so I was like, I just like don't get this kind of upsetting. He DM me next day. He's like, sorry, I don't know what happened. It just must have been like a glitch in the system. And I was like, Okay, fine. Congrats on your PGA win next day blocked again. What Yeah, not only that they blocked me on Instagram too. And I'm like, You know what? I am anti fill now because that is like a big shit. Okay, like I don't deal with that. And so now I just say whatever about Bill because I think he I think he's just a little I'm sure I can just already see the headlines out page says feel safe, but I think he is like, he just projects a certain way. He has interviews and then he's like, thumbs up being the fans and I don't know if like you care so much about the fans and what you're doing. Why jump ship, you know?
Yeah, exactly. And the weirdest thing about that, as you say is the fact that he messaged you say that must've been a glitch in the system, which, fair enough I could understand that that maybe happened maybe he was scrolling and just accidentally that's I can get it that's plausible. Then to block you again for congratulating him on the uspga when and then blocking and Instagramming what we call him that is that gaslighting is it, ghosting. I mean what? What the hell even as that?
I mean, I've been gaslit and have been ghosted. I don't know what that was. I was like the weirdest thing like, just keep me blocked that and like, I don't care. But I like I said, I've never said anything bad about Phil. Until now. Because you know what? You blocked me. I'm coming for you. Yeah, exactly. It's
open season. Like, what did you do to get blocked? Oh, good reason, I guess. But I mean, it was when he was given all that stuff about, you know, the rules of the game or, you know, administered by amateurs, which is total nonsense. They're amateur golfers, but they're professional administrators. That's their job. They know. They're good at it. They're professional. And he was going on and on and on. And finally I just screenshot at a clip of him at was at Shinnecock, but he's chasing after the moving ball. So I've got mid trot as he's chasing it before he hits a moving ball. And he just posted in, you know, I'm not sure that fell is quite the advocate for the rules that he thinks he has. And yeah, let's literally within two minutes blocks. So you know, I have not lost much sleep, though. If I'm being honest.
No, but I feel like athletes should be open to more criticism. I mean, if you're there, especially like golfers I feel like we're never allowed to say anything about golfers because they just get so upset about it compared to like, look at other sports, where it's like athletes are constantly criticize and ask the hard questions. And then even you know, at the USA with all the press conferences, they're like, stop asking me questions like, you made this decision. And these are the consequences of your actions. And you you should you can say like, I don't want to explain myself, that's fine. That's a good answer, if you want to go that way. But we're allowed to ask you these questions. And I just think that they're a little kind of babies about it.
Yeah, babies is probably the words. So good words, I like it. If I was to give you a ticket to go to any golf tournament in the world, and let's say all the best players are playing, but that's the way it's going to be. Well, maybe only the majors the way things are in the world just now. You can go and watch anyone play are playing anywhere. Who are you going to watch? And where are you going to watch them?
Gosh, I wish I could go back in time to Augusta 2019 And watch Tiger play that final round.
I mean, I was there. I didn't necessarily want to bring that up. But yeah, you know, that's fine. You brought it up. It's not me.
Yeah, just just twist the knife a little bit. But like that energy was something that was so special. I remember just watching it on TV and just having like goosebumps and crying when he won. And I've never like experienced something like that ever watching sports before and to be there in person. And with everyone running up. That was just probably like, coolest moment. I don't know if we'll ever see something like that again. Unless Tiger wins again, then I will be probably 10 times that.
Probably yeah, considering everything that's happened since then. I hate to do this, but need to ask about love. How much money would it take to make you go out and play on the left golf Invitational series? Give me a number. Now I wouldn't do
it at all. No, I wouldn't do it. And a lot of people are probably like bullshit, like, you would do it for a certain amount of money. But like I think about things in my career, and like I don't, I wouldn't sign up for only fans. Because morally, it just doesn't align with what I'm doing. Especially like my career. And I could sign up probably today and make, you know, millions and millions of dollars. And so for me, it's not about money. And I think you have to do things for a bigger reason you have to be passionate about you have to, like, love what you do. And you can't just do things for money. And so yeah, I think if you're making like a modest living for yourself, it is really enticing to maybe go over there and do it for a lot of money. But are you going to be happy in five years, like money doesn't equate happiness. And I know, it's easy to say that when I'm not like financially stable, but I can be totally fine not making any more money. And that's never really been my driving force.
I think there's a few players that maybe don't share that sentiment, but we may have covered them already on this point. But let's finish up let's let's look to the future. I mean, what does the next year five years 10 years look like for you? You say this as a business? So I guess you've got a business plan to some degree. So what's next?
That's a hard question. Because I think being in digital media, you never know what the next platform is going to be in. So you have to it's always ever changing. So my next five years, the plan that I have could be very different if you know Instagram doesn't keep the way that it is or you know we have tickets tick tock now growing and so I just have to be very nimble with what I'm doing. And the core of my business is keeping my followers happy and entertained and doing everything to keep putting out really good content. Because if I do that, then I know they'll follow me wherever I go. And so it's building my relationship with my followers, which I hate calling followers like the people, my friends, millions of friends, that's always really important. And then starting my own different businesses, different ventures, doing more merchandise, just really just trying to grow and expand, just trying to get the content across all the platforms. And yeah, again, like I don't, I honestly don't know what I will be doing in five to 10 years, because I mean, my whole life has completely changed since the last time we talked, where, you know, I thought I'd be playing professional golf, and that was the route I was gonna be going and then you know, it just changed overnight. So that's what's so exciting about the business that I'm in is that you never know what's going to happen next. But that's also the stressful part. It's like you've taken so much time to build all the stuff and then tomorrow could be like, no one cares about Instagram anymore, or Facebook. And so it's trying to make my business be sustainable outside of my social platforms, the door
on playing professionally or playing at any level, is that firmly shot or is it slightly open?
Like I said, like, sometimes when I'm playing really well, I'm like, I think I still have it. But mentally I just don't know if I'm strong enough to play professionally and especially at the level that these women are playing now. It is unbelievable. Unbelievable the the level of golf that they're playing, and I just don't know if I if I worked as hard as I possibly could dedicate everything to it. I don't think I could ever be top five top 10 in the world. And so it's like why do something if you can't get to the level that you want to be and with, you know, my media work I am, you know, number one with what I'm doing especially like on Instagram. So that's where my real focus is. And I want to keep growing that but you never know. Mix it up, get another little sponsor exemption
in the DMS and holy shit. If it all goes to hell, then you could always do baking professionally. It sounds like you're pretty good at that as well. So yeah, exactly. Page as always a pleasure to catch ups. Great to see you again. Let's not leave it so long for next time. Thank you so much for joining bunker podcast.
Thank you for having me.
Yes, indeed, bank, thank you to page. It's interesting base. I mean, she does get a real hard time always has got a real hard time. But there's just been, as she mentioned that herself, there's just this change has happened in the past few years. But she's gone. Saw that, bring it on. And she's I think some of her opinions are quite cool. She's quite forthright. She's not afraid now, I think to see what she thinks for fear of reprisals.
I think I quite like that attitude. And why not? And she gets the backing of a lot of other ghetto golfers on social, which I think is important, because that's not the opinion we get for some of the haters that she has a few mentioned that that way,
rather a lot of haters and death rates. Have you ever had a Death Race?
Just from my mum.
You don't tidy your room? I'll tell you. No,
I can't imagine that's very nice. Must be awful, you know, and to open up your social media everyday. And see that must be pretty tough. So she's FlexScan that's what
I'm saying. So you know, I opened up a DM from, you know, someone who's following or not following me. And they'll say something like, I just like to point out the mistake you made and the third paragraph, and I think you'll find that it's actually meant to be spelled this way. And I feel dreadful. It ruins my day. It's not quite the same as getting that. So I don't know how she's, she's able to deal with it. But she has an fear of later as I said, big thank you to our pals at shot school for making that happen. Go and check out the shot school website to find out all about their latest products. They are very cool. And as Paige said, they're probably almost certainly going to make you a better golfer for it. Okay, padar of minutes last week was the US Open. I messed up so badly. If you were listening last week, you would have heard me labor, I guess over the prospect of picking Matt Fitzpatrick. I was this close. I laid out the full case for wired back him and then I didn't. I went with Justin Thomas, who finished in a tie for 37 really pure final round from Thomas.
Not not great. Wonder if you just run it but steam
potentially you on the other hand base. You decided to take a bit of a gamble. As much as picking the Open champion as a gamble. You just say you did yeah just take you to a feeling that I'll call him Monica.
And to be honest he actually was fifth tight for actually didn't didn't play particularly well on the last day. I know it was Saturday that he didn't play particularly well but
he's still tied first beats type 37th Place it does occur point he got a point I feel like we should do something to mark that.
I know I think it's like cake or something like that. Yeah, not a cake anymore
because you're an athlete. Yeah,
but some something that would invigorate me in some form and a Monday Hey,
yo, do you feel tell me no did your dad think you were gonna be a flash in the pioneers wail and wanted to send you off to college but look at you now. Winning points in the photo.
My dad didn't send me off to college he ordered me to go to uni and then when I when I took a year out and spent drinking He ordered me take a job so
there you go. He will be delighted I'm sure to see that you are off the mark and season five of positive mirror it's as it stands, but I one Michaels for the season five season 531 to me overall I know you said it last week as the Travelers Championship we also have the BMW international open on the DP World Tour where some of the live players are taking part. Really. Sergio kaymar Like news coming this week on the front I haven't good authority things are happening this week and bank like things but no live players at the travelers but I saw your honor for the first time in a long time. Who are you thinking
oh I am gonna go with Sam Barnes Thank you still in good form.
I played with the daughter yesterday I was actually expecting a bit more fun yeah
in the final round but I think you'll Wherever did he you pet cue you'll have enough I like he's gave me is absolutely rattles the golf ball is cracking ball striker such a great swing gate move. I think he's a pretty confident guy. And I kind of have to pick somebody and form
a confident that's a two point or that you're picking there.
No, but it tends not to blow hot and cold. He just he's always there and there abouts. And I'm hesitant not to pick somebody who might blow hot and cold in be lucky but that's where I'm going with him.
Okay, good field. Okay, I mean, going okay, because playing speed is playing 20 finos. Playing Raleigh's playing space defending champion. I think Marc Leishman has been shown a little bit of form. Russell Knox, good to see Russell back in the field. He's had a tough couple of months. But another former champion there. Ah, that's that's timing. Danny McCarthy he's playing he did really well. The US Open as well. Same as Patrick Rogers. I'm not gonna lie. I'm struggling. To not pick Rudy to not pick it already.
So you're gonna pick Rudy No, I'm
not. I'm ah, I talked myself out of the rat pack last week and I'm doing it again this week. I'm calling my Scottie Scheffler model number one coming in off the back of me of another very impressive appearance. I said it this morning keep feeling like his purple patch has got to end and it's just not so yeah Scottish here for for me Sam Barnes for you but ice blowing on. We will finish up honestly box. The US Open likes to inflict pain on its players pain, psychological pain. Golf is a sport that inflicts pain, psychological and physical pain on those who play it. So my question to you blazes straight up? What is the most painful thing psychological or physical? And golf
don't need to go first. Yeah. So there is nothing nothing in golf. That hurts more than putting your hand in your pocket. Yeah, and the little pencil for your scorecards pointing up and it goes right underneath your fingernail and the same with a tea that's why I don't like having tea some of the physical
pain of clipping your ankle with an iron is pretty sure but
the it's like when you're locking the sand off your souls and just
I don't know I've never been in the bunker but the mental the mental pain. I think I always find just just does my head and is when you rattle a driver in the middle of the fairway and you leave yourself and easy wedge and like 105 yards or something and you miss the green. That hurts.
So how do you tend to mess that up? No, you Nathan it through the back are you Duffin it is probably
I actually think from that distance I usually overcook it and that annoys you. That I really can't stand that. That actually really I grinds my gears. I know that people seem like you know thin and one in the wintertime and so that's brutal that sore but I genuinely could you've had a good shot and then you just do something really stupid. That annoys me or you duffer. Yeah, I don't like that.
Those are definitely the most psychologically damaging things. Or messing you if you leave a part short for example, you know, I don't mind if I'm not 10 foot past I'd rather not but at least I've got to the hole. When you have it right online and it comes up within a foot short. That person here we've been
hit by a golf ball.
No. My mum with a golf ball. Hit your mum ago. This was when I was about 12 or 13. We weren't even on a golf course. There's little bit of wind. Still do though near Killeen castle and they are sure there's a couple of caravans on it nice big open lawn and I was bored one day and they were down there because they obviously have to go down and tend to the ground and cut the grass and watch out for trees and branches have come down. So a mom and dad at that point they were taping some stuff up. I was bored as a typical kid. 1314 hours doesn't want to be there. And I found in one of the sheds where all the equipment was kept. I found some old golf clubs that would obviously my grandpa's I picked one up, sliced it and didn't realize that my mum was standing in amongst the trees down to the right hand side working away and I smacked bang on the ribs. She was not happy.
No wonder
she was very very angry. Like that had been 12 inches higher than you would have killed me and all that stuff. But no, I've hurt someone but never been hurt.
Yeah, no, I Okay, cool. Good once. I think I told this story in the podcast awhile ago. Again, the middle of the rattled one day in the middle of the theory, like males, and they're bounced literally six feet from him in the bum. Not to put my hand up I'm sorry. But I mean, I shouldn't have had a shot.
Have you ever been hit by a golf ball?
Yeah, my my pals send one hit me in the shin are really stings does it a really stings. But that nearly lost his sight to a golf ball a serious like two years ago he got hit by a golf ball and some it was a herald ating Sunday they will hit the entertainment editor of the Herald and the young I think hit them with a golf ball.
The Glasgow Herald spring Glasgow Herald and kilometers many towns was it
No, it wasn't an A Yeah, I found it the other day my dad but as as technically banned from Kominek Banarsi are called posts gone because they tried to get a drink. This is I think this is another 3040 years ago they tried to get a drink. And somebody the barman tried to kick them out and make it out my dad grabbed a drink or something and that was at the old get kicked out. Everyone from the Herald was kicked out. So I think if if the Kommandant but as if you're lessening the chance you get unblocked my dancer fatigue and overload is a load and the clubface was banned
Jesus says like pictured above the bar Yeah Do not lay and keep this thought out
ya know Sunday about golf ball that's pretty soon
as soon as it gets Yeah, let us know if you've been hit by a golf ball actually want to hear somebody articulate how that feels you know if you began that full toss right and top of the skull Taylor's wasn't
somebody that loves to get back off ball and the guy was floored
i But turns out it was all about he went down like Davidge you know and back in the day you know the ball hit me in the head jumped straight up and roll the boat and he looked like he was out cold as it turns out was fine. I was just joking I got assigned glove it think of the amount of money that those players have put in for the given the same glove stuffed with notes nor
is it not something to do with insurance. There's a reason why they just do that. And they Yeah The some thing to do with that.
But you can't get eyes at like claiming like something like
that. Yeah. Books kept complained at somebody at that. Enemy that's really depressed.
That's a really low note on which to no thanks for that bass. Thanks for coming. Thanks. And that will get that really is it for this week's episode. So huge. Next week. Huge thanks to Rick shields for joining us meltdown again, Rick, fantastic effort to pitch better knack to short scope for helping out to you but as far as ever your wonderful, beautifully articulated insights into us often Thank you very much, and for bringing the joy,
the death and the destruction
and the blindness. Thank you. Thanks for that. And to Callaway, for your continued support of this podcast. As I said, it's been a bumper episode. Thank you for making it all the way through if you have and we'll be back next week. Until then, bye bye for
