Bald Guys On The Bench
Bald Guys On The Bench
The Historic Fall: Duke's Late Collapse and Ovechkin's Record-Breaking Goal
Recorded April 6th, 2025
Masters Week has arrived, and the excitement is palpable as Graham and Scott break down all the storylines heading to Augusta National. With significant rainfall in the forecast, the traditionally firm and fast course conditions could transform dramatically, potentially favoring the game's longest hitters like Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau.
The pressure on McIlroy has never been greater as he seeks to complete the career Grand Slam after already capturing two signature event victories this season. The hosts debate whether Rory can overcome the mental challenges that Augusta presents – handling the Sunday roars, navigating the sparse leaderboard information, and managing the enormous expectations that have followed him throughout his career. Meanwhile, Scott remains steadfast in his support for Bryson, while both hosts question Jon Rahm's surprisingly favorable odds.
Before diving into golf, the duo recaps two stunning weekend sports moments: Alex Ovechkin tying Wayne Gretzky's goal record (while refusing to score on an empty net out of respect for the game) and Duke's shocking collapse against Houston in the Final Four. Despite leading by 14 points with just eight minutes remaining, Duke went ice cold and ultimately lost by three points, leaving even Carolina fan Graham feeling sympathetic toward his rival.
The episode also features discussions on hypothetical Champions Dinner menus, dark horse contenders like Min Woo Lee and Corey Conners, and exciting new features on the Masters app that will allow fans to track players' range sessions with detailed statistics. With the NCAA Championship game featuring Florida versus Houston on the horizon, and a special NHL playoffs preview episode with hockey expert TP coming next week, the bald guys on the bench continue delivering insightful sports commentary with their trademark humor and passion.
Subscribe now and join us each week as we break down the biggest moments in sports from our perspective on the bench!
#baldguysonthebench #graboneandcrackone #ncaa #finalfour #duke #themasters #rorymcilroy #brysondechambeau #marchmadness
Welcome to another episode of the bald guys on the bench podcast, with your hosts Graham Cohen and Scott Wasco what's up everyone and welcome back to another episode of the ball guys on the bench.
Scott:It's Sunday night, sitting here with my boy, Graham. But you know, like we always do, graham, what do we got to do? Oh my God, breaking news, bro. This just in. Wayne Gretzky is now one goal away from tying Alex Ovechkin. Can he do it? Can it happen? I mean, what are your opinions on this? One goal behind him, you know the great eight.
Graham:You know he could dust off the skates and see what happens. You never know. Well, scott, I'm thirsty and it's about that time. Can we grab one and crack one?
Scott:Let's go. Sorry, I had thirsty and it's about that time. Can we grab one and crack one?
Graham:Let's go, sorry, I had to just throw that in there.
Scott:Nah, that was good.
Graham:I thought it was appropriate for what happened. That's not what I thought you were going to say.
Scott:I mean, we'll get into it in a little while, but you know, history was made today Amazing. We also had some history last night. But before we get into any of this other stuff, g money it's officially master's week, bro.
Graham:That is the best part of the episode. Right there, it's master's week and that's all that I give a shit about. Right now. Let me tell you, um, look, uh, things with me have been good. I got my stitches taken out of my finger the other day, happy about that, just been working a lot. And then you know, look, we had the excitement from yesterday with the Final Four and a little bit of golf action going on getting us ready for the Masters this week. But other than that, all good on my side. What about you, brother, dude?
Scott:pretty routine weekend. Uh went out with my boy johnny last night for his birthday, went back to his house for some cocktails, got home, got the end of the watch, the end of the game. You know the second game last night, um, but you know, just pretty much kicked it. Uh talked fr Friday night on my way home to the new defensive coordinator for my flag team.
Graham:You got what I need. You know how excited.
Scott:I was right, and all the listeners out there know how fired up I get about Kellen's flag football. My coaching and this and that Dude. I was ready to run through a wall for this guy and I just talked to him on the phone for 25 minutes. On defense the offense, we all know about it we score points, that's not a problem. We've been a little lackluster on defense and no fingers pointed at anybody. It's hard to pull a flag. It's easier to tackle somebody than it is to pull a flag.
Announcer:I hope.
Scott:But anyhow, my new assistant coach played college football defensive guy. I'm stoked. I was texting kellen oh nice, just scored to go up two to one, baby, let's go. Uh, I'm fired up. You know, fired up. I text kellen. He was with the, with my in-laws and they were doing this. Kellen's all fired up. He's like let's go. But anyhow, that was my weekend Watched the final four games. Last night After, right before the Duke-Houston game started, I got on Instagram over at Johnny's house and I noticed our boy that's been on the show R-squared, ricky Romano, that played golf at the University of Houston. He was actually at the game because the PGA Tour is in San Antonio the Final Four. What a coincidence for him. Is that any good? Yeah?
Announcer:right, he was at the game.
Scott:Must be nice. And I was like hell, yeah, we're texting back and forth. I'm like I'm so pumped, dude, you get to go watch the game. You, oh yeah, we're texting back and forth. I'm like I'm so pumped, dude, you get to go watch the game. You know your boys where you went to school and after the game how funny was the text thread with our fantasy league. I mean, our boy, Romano, was on one. It was awesome. We're not getting into the details of that conversation, but it was awesome.
Graham:We won't get into it, but I will say this I believe I mentioned it to you when I was talking to you on the phone last night Just his excitement Not my excitement, but just his excitement and just chatting and us, you know, throwing jabs at each other and all that stuff. It's just like man. I really miss that dude and I really can't wait for all of us to get back together again.
Scott:Like I really miss that guy. He's a really good guy. I literally told kristin the same thing today when I was reading off the conversation from her fantasy thread maddie's haymaker about the face, mine about you know, vegas. Kristin is over here. Yeah, she's dying. She goes, man, we need to hang out with that kid soon and I'm like right, but yeah, couldn't be more fired up for R-Squared. Hoping H-Town gets it done tomorrow night. To be honest with you, I hope they do so.
Scott:Before we get going on the Duke-Houston game, we got to talk about the Florida game a little bit. First half I was actually off to eat Like I told you didn't get to see most of it. On the way to Johnny's house I see the Gators are trailing by eight and instantly whipped up DraftKings. Bada bing, bada, boom. Took Florida minus four and a half in the second half. Easy win, maybe the easiest win of the weekend, unless you had over eight and a half in the Cardinals-Red Sox game. Unless you had over eight and a half in the Cardinals Red Sox game, because I think that score was like 18 to three or some shit like that. It turned it off. Damn, got on there. Yeah, damn, that's one of those games You're like man. Why didn't I bet a little more on this? It was over in the fucking fourth inning.
Announcer:Right God dang.
Scott:Yeah, but anyhow, dude, we got to talk Florida-Auburn. You know the second half when you talk Florida and you talk Florida basketball this season, my guy, walter Clayton Jr, stud. He, absolutely ridiculous had 30 last night. Dude, I think he's playing. He started his college career at Iona I'm sorry where. I think that's in New York. I don't know if you're right or you're wrong. Yeah, but it's a great guess. You sounded confident.
Graham:I'm pretty positive, Pretty positive. Whatever Kill me in the contents, people in the comments.
Scott:Whatever Just kill me, like no, yes, I don't know, it's better than what I was going to say.
Graham:Midwest, yeah, no, I'm pretty sure it's.
Scott:New York. But my guy just lit it up last night, dude, it was close back and forth and then they just pulled away at the end. You know it's pretty solid, pretty solid, good game. Florida's been in everybody's conversation for a while. They beat Auburn from the SEC that they're familiar with Both teams, very familiar with each other. But then, dude, we go into the Duke-Houston game and everybody on here knows about my bet. I placed in November 12-1 for $10, going to win some money. Place in November 12-1 for $10, you know, going to win some money. Dude, before we even talk about the first half, I'm sitting here with like six minutes left in the game. They're offering me a cash out $75. And I'm like no dude, they're up 12 with seven minutes left.
Graham:No one is taking the cash out. I don't care, I agree.
Scott:No one is taking the cash out. I don't. I agree no one's taking that, nobody. But let's go back to the first half. There's our rewind. Yeah, duke's up six At halftime, close game. They're battling, right, they're battling.
Scott:I instantly took Duke minus two and a half or one and a half in the second half. So I'm like all right, need them to win by eight. Duke's going to wear, they're going to wear them down, like they did everybody in the tournament. They wore them down in the second half and their depth showed up. Well, they didn't. I was shocked, the whole world was shocked. I mean our squares jumping off rooftops, dude, I don't even know what to say. I had all this shit ready to talk about. I'm making middle notes when I'm at Johnny's watching the first half and watching the first. I don't know what can we call it. First 30 minutes of the game, right, first half, 20. And then, yeah, I'm like, I'm like ready to, and I can't what happened? I can't blame on this kid. I'm ready to crown Flag the man, the myth, the legend, Right, I mean even beating. The bookie threw something out last night and I'll be damned if I don't believe it. Cooper Flag at 18 is better than LeBron James at 18.
Graham:He has more all-around game.
Scott:I would say Just because Flagg has that thing in between your ears, it's called a brain At 18,. At 18, he's a smarter player. Okay, I'll give you that. Am I doubting LeBron's skills? Shut up. No way in hell, no Right. What I'm saying is at age 18.
Graham:Yeah, no, I understand what you're saying. I agree with him yeah.
Scott:You know, not saying career yeah, not saying no, we're saying at the age that he is right now. Anyhow, back to the game. Dude up 14 with eight minutes and three seconds left Up. Nine with two minutes and six seconds left Up three with 25 seconds left Up. One with 19 seconds left lose by three.
Graham:You know, I was working last night while I was watching the game we weren't really that busy, but there were some people, some regulars, who were watching the game and one of the guys was saying, and thinking back on it, it makes a lot of sense. And he's just like you know, he has no dog in the fight, which is what really pissed me off even more, that I told him that I'm rooting for Duke, not only because I mean fuck the bracket, I can care less about that shit. I'm a Duke fan, right, duke fan, right. He's like you know, graham, when you're watching it it looked like duke was, you know, was that animal? That's like hunting for its dinner. And then they catch it, but they don't kill it right away, did? It's kind of like swat at it and like fuck around with it and play with it and just like, all right, I got you. I'm not gonna finally stick all my teeth in you and kill you and eat you, but I'm just gonna play around with you a little bit, make it more fun.
Graham:And what happens when you just when you just let people hang around and hang around and hang around, oh, and, by way, go six minutes without scoring a basket or, you know, being 0 for 7 from the field in an eight-minute span. You know all the practice, all the preparation that you had from the preseason to during the season to March Madness. All of that, from the preseason to during the season to March Madness, all of that, look, I don't think it was a situation of the moment got to them. I just think it was a situation of I mean, look, there was one play like that inbound play, that that was a mental error type of a situation. But and look, I'm not making any excuses Houston won. I'll give them their flowers, congratulations, but when you're the I know where you're gonna go?
Graham:no, no, no I'm not, I'm not, I'm not even bringing up the foul. I'm just gonna say that when you average shooting 42 from the three point line, when you average shooting 65 from the field, and then you go, when you average shooting 65% from the field and then you go cold, that's not, oh, the moment's too big for us, that's bad fucking luck. You know, and it's just you know, the Cooper flag play at the end. Missing that and Homeboy missing the free throws.
Scott:Yeah, one-on-one. That's not Duke basketball. As much as I hate on Duke because I'm a Carolina fan yeah, one-on-one, it's. That's not Duke basketball. As much as I hate on Duke because I'm a Carolina fan, there's just those squads that are known for making the correct play in crunch time. Right, it's like it's Duke, it's Carolina, it's Kentucky. You know, it's the Blue Bloods. You know what I mean? 100%, it's UCLA back in the heyday. To see that last night and that epic collapse, it was like, like I told you last night, I'm the biggest Carolina fan there is. I hate Duke. I kind of felt sorry for him.
Graham:Yeah, Dude, I'm watching it unfold and I'm just speechless. I don't even know what to say. I'm like can I buy a bucket? It was Please, anything.
Scott:It was just like wow, man Couldn't believe it. And yeah, I agree, the foul Cooper flag at the end of the game. People bitching about that and saying that's the reason of the outcome of the game. Graham, just said it without saying it. You got to make shots.
Graham:Yeah, you can't go cold for eight minutes.
Scott:Yeah, you got to score points. Even if you scored points and Cooper got called with a foul, guess what? You're probably still leading the game. You only lost by three and you didn't score a God dang point. And how long you scored one point in how many minutes?
Graham:Like eight, almost. It was like seven or eight minutes. Like, thank God they did have that 12 point lead. You know what I'm saying? Like if it was close they could have got blown out by 12 type of a situation. It's just.
Graham:I've always said, and I'm a firm believer in things happen for a reason. I mean, unfortunately this is to the detriment of the team that I root for, but if there ever was a chance for Calvin Sampson, and now that he's with Houston, to take him to the championship and have a chance to win a title, it bodes well for him. And look, you can be good for a long period of time. It doesn't matter who you are. I'm not calling it the yips, I'm not saying anything like that, but it's just like sometimes the unexpected happens and the unexpected happened and it just was unfortunate that it happened in the final four, in the last eight to nine minutes of the game. Like if that would happen in the when the game started, duke could have rallied back and came back. But just the fact that you can survive that, exactly, it's just the timing of everything. As they say, timing is everything, but it's just. It is what it is and all you can do is just say, hey, it happened. I can't say that they lost to a better team, because I don't think they were a better team, but they were a better team that night and it's just. It is what it is.
Graham:It's unfortunate, especially because, as a Duke fan, they've been close within the last a few times the last 10, 15 years or the last 10 years per se to get a title. But as I was telling you, you know, off air, I had a quiet how do I say this? Like I had a quiet confidence about this team this year that I wasn't really showboating. I wasn't like, oh you know, we're going to win it. And it was just like't really showboating. I wasn't like, oh you know, we're going to win it. And it was just like I really like their chances. They play really good defense, they shoot the ball really well. They're, you know, mentally tough and the way they've been playing, they're tough to beat and they've been handling everybody. So if you keep going down the road of expecting the things to happen and then they don't, it's like Guy, I saw enough of your squad before November 1st to place a bet on them.
Graham:Agreed, I know that's what I'm saying. It's just it's.
Scott:So, anyhow, championship matchup, bro. We got Florida and Houston Gators one-point favorites. The total is 141.5. The bald guys on the bench pool basically comes down to this game If Florida wins, buckeye wins, if Houston wins looks like Badger wins. Crazy Kellum was all bummed because he was in first place after the Florida win and then, with Houston beating Duke, he got knocked down to second place because Badger and Buckeye both have Florida play in Houston.
Graham:Speaking of two blind squirrels that just happened to find a nut.
Announcer:Oh, Badger.
Graham:You know it's funny. I was looking at the line for this game, so maybe with you at DraftKings it was at one. I got it here with MGM at one and a half. But the crazy thing is I'm going to take Houston. Houston plus one and a half is minus 110. But that money line is plus 110 or plus 105. I'm like this ain't a one-point game. If they're going to win, you know what I mean. I'm like I might as well just take the money line, which I'm going to do.
Scott:Yeah, it's hard to make a pick on this game. I think it's a good matchup.
Announcer:Yeah.
Scott:You know, obviously it's not the matchup the world wanted. Everybody wanted Florida Duke. But you know, you get what you get and we're getting age town and right in Florida. So that's the game we're talking about. I don't know, man, I have no idea. I'm just, I'm not betting with my brain, I'm betting with my heart and that's for our boy R-squared. Let's go Cougs. Yeah, back in the day when Romano was at Houston and I was at SCGA, he would send me all the golf tees with H-Town on it and the Cougars. I had tons of golf hats from the university. He would give me all his Pro V1s I forget what number it was, because it had the little Cougar logo on the side and he hated like I'm just going to sorry Armando, number four maybe I don't know. He would send me dozens of all the balls he gets. So I played Houston Cougar Pro V1s with the number four on it for years. That's awesome. So I represented back then. I'm going to represent tomorrow. Let's go H-Town. You know, represent your boy.
Graham:Well, yes, sir, and you know I can't say friend of the program, but someone that you sign off to every episode. You know Jim Nance, little alumni at the game.
Scott:Did you see him at the game last?
Graham:night, of course I saw him yeah.
Scott:Is that any good? I mean, hello friends, let's go Cougars. I mean, is that any good? And he gets to leave the national championship game tomorrow and let's take a little private flight to Augusta, georgia. Yeah, we get to hang out at Augusta all week. Thanks for playing. Yep, it's that time, folks, it's that time. So we obviously just made our picks. Don't need to ask you. You're taking it. Yeah, anybody out there betting. You better take the Gators, yeah.
Graham:I don't know. Yeah, I know right, fuck Florida, yeah.
Scott:Dude, something we were talking about earlier. I can't believe we saw it. Ovechkin yes, he got it today. Dude, unbelievable, the chase. I mean to break Gretzky's record. It was unbelievable Friday night. He scored two goals to tie it, dude. And there's still time left in the game.
Scott:The Blackhawks pull their goalie and you can see the conversation the head coach of the Capitals is having with Ovechkin. He's like do you want to go on the ice? And you can see Ovechkin literally shake his head and say no, I'm not scoring the record on an empty net. Respect gets respect, respect, right, and something you and I were talking about the other night. And I'm like that's something you don't see in all other sports.
Scott:Hockey players are the best in my opinion. He respects the game, he respects the history. He's like no chance, bro, am I going to do that? I'm not breaking this record that's been there for 31 years. On an empty net, no chance. The rookie scores his first goal in an empty netter. Ovechkin goes back out when the goalie's on the ice and in the last minute or whatever, don't you worry about it. Ovechkin was peppering the shit out of homeboy trying to get that goal friday night, but that's a different situation. I don't care what you say, I mean, like the example I told you, the other night brett farve fell down so strahan could get the sack record for a season fell down but why would he do that, though?
Graham:Because?
Scott:they're boys.
Graham:I'm not saying it didn't happen.
Scott:If Brett Favre didn't fall down and trip oh the turf monster got me your boy, tj Watt, would have the all-time sack record for a season.
Graham:You ain't wrong. Well, TJ Watt also got stripped of his.
Announcer:Should have got a half a sack anyway.
Scott:Whatever, nobody was falling down for TJ is all I'm saying. Oh, facts.
Announcer:Facts.
Graham:I mean, look Anyhow, look Anyhow. So something I heard this morning In the car ride Into work at the butt crack of dawn this morning was Something that really kind of surprised me a little bit. Did you know, scott, that? I mean I don't know how long he was doing this, maybe at least the last couple of days, but it was told that Gretzky was traveling with the we talked about this last week.
Scott:We did on this show.
Graham:Well, I had a bunch of beverages last web, so all right, next topic. So I watched the. I got you.
Scott:Hold on. I mean, I'm not even asking Can we get two claps and a Ric Flair? And that means two slaps and a Ric Flair. Can we get one?
Graham:I already just did one.
Scott:When you say the dumbest shit you've ever said. For now, on from this moment on the episode, you got to do a two slaps and a Ric Flair. Okay, here we go. I'm going to just show you what you need to do.
Graham:I already hit myself once. For now, let's stop.
Scott:No, two smacks in a Ric Flair. You know, normally it's two claps in a Ric Flair. Now I'm making a new rule, so this is what you have to do Woo, two smacks in a Ric Flair.
Graham:Let's see it, Because that was the second dumbest shit you've ever said In my defense when I brought this up to you before you didn't say anything.
Scott:Well, we're waiting. You didn't bring this up to me before. I definitely didn't. You told me you saw something that you wanted to talk about in regards to Ovechkin. You didn't. We're waiting. All right, all right all right, all right, let's go, woo, Thank you. Thanks for giving the people what they want. Graham, looking like an absolute moron. Anyhow, all right, so the second thing was oh God, was this?
Graham:No, no no, no, no, Three episodes ago, no, no. This is you know what, scott. So I watched the, because obviously I didn't watch it while it happened, when he scored, bro, obviously because of how close it is in the train ride, dude, when a veteran did make that score, the whole place lit up. I'm wondering how many people from Washington, you know, actually came up for the game, or if it was just the, as you say, the respect for the game and the player you know that everyone else was here's the average ticket price last night or going into today for the game at the Islanders was like 1200 bucks.
Graham:Not a fucking chance.
Scott:If, if, if, I had that kind of expendable income to go see history? Yes, but the funniest thing about this is and don't I saw this earlier Ovechkin has accomplished a feat that was once considered impossible Get the entire world to watch an Islanders game.
Announcer:Show me, oh God.
Scott:Is that any good? But here's the craziest thing, and then we're going to move on. Because it's Masters week, we got a lot of golf to talk about. The fact today is the anniversary of the Washington Capitals winning the lottery and being able to draft Ovechkin is absolutely the wildest stat you'll ever hear.
Graham:The worst part is this overshadowsadows crosby 20 years of, you know, averaging a point per game, but whatever. Oh, I can't wait to wear a video. The look on scott's face right now.
Scott:Oh man folks.
Graham:Graham, you were just Dude. The best part was earlier, when we were talking. I was just like, yeah, so how are the Capitals doing? And you're like dude, they're in first place in the East. I was like, oh, that's pretty good.
Scott:So when you try to come on the show and bring hockey stats and you don't even know that the Capitals are number one in the East, you might want to check yourself out the door.
Graham:Hey, that's why you're the hockey guy bro.
Scott:Speaking of hockey guys, breaking news. We got a special guest and a special episode. Next week we're going to come out with our normal Sunday night show, obviously once we know who the Master Champ is, but then, before the NHL playoffs start, we're going to bring on our resident hockey guru, none other than TP. Tp. Can't wait, bro, it's going to be fun.
Graham:Can't wait to have you on yes, I look forward to learning about something game with a stick and a puck and things I don't know skates dude, you're ridiculous speaking of as we're rolling into the Masters.
Scott:dude, it's Masters week. We got a lot of shit to talk about with Augusta Before we came on the air breaking news. Someone we talked about a couple weeks ago, cabrera fresh out of jail playing at Augusta this week because he's a past champion Just won on the Champions Tour today. Him and Scotty Scheffler are now the only two guys to have been in jail and won a PGA tour sanctioned event in the last 12 months. Not only that, but they both won the masters.
Graham:That's unbelievable. I love that.
Scott:Dude TP. Thanks for that stat, bro. This is why you're coming on the show, that's unbelievable.
Scott:I love that Dude. Amazing Brian Harmon won on the tour. Brutal conditions, brutal story came out I learned about today about Brian Harmon as he was walking up the 18th hole, his nanny he was in a tournament in Asia like a year ago and his family took a vacation to Florida. His son got swooped out to the ocean from an undercurrent and his nanny went to go rescue him. She got injured. Another dude rescued Brian Harmon's kid kid and his nanny's literally been in a coma since and they sent her home two days ago to hospice. When he was talking about this dude at the end, when he won the event, it was just like mind-blowing. You know, my guy just won a PGA Tour event and this lady has been his nanny forever and tried to rescue his kid and is going to pass away. Wow, yeah, I was just like wow, kristen, when they were talking about it on the air. I'm like are they talking about his son or the nanny?
Scott:Because they were saying it so fast and I was trying to comprehend what the shit they were talking about, because I'd never heard about it like yeah, that's odd brian harman's, not some journeyman, I mean, you know what I mean, he's a. He's a major winner, surprisingly, yeah, and your boy won big on that one. Remember, I remember that one on that. Oh, we talked about it on the show waster dom is back to that blind squirrel again. Blind squirrels find nuts.
Announcer:D's.
Scott:Master's week, dude. Oh Jesus, I'm surprised you didn't go with who?
Graham:Hey, I'm trying to stop. I'm not trying to use it as much, I'm trying to preserve it. You know what I mean.
Scott:Master's week Number one. I'm glad I'm not going.
Graham:Said no one ever Practice round.
Scott:Yeah, because tomorrow's practice round. I just got an email from the PGA of America. The parking lot, everything's closed until further notice. Jesus, they're supposed to get about two inches of rain tomorrow.
Graham:Can you imagine if that was the only day that you won in the pool?
Scott:Oh my, God, the exact same thing I thought of when I was just like Dude the thousands of dollars in flights rental.
Graham:That's what I'm saying Flights, rental cars, hotels Dude, I'd be that guy. I'd be like fuck it. Dollars in flights you spent rental. That's what I'm saying. Flights, rental cars, hotels, ah, dude, I'd be that guy, be like fuck it. Like I will walk there. I don't care if no one's out, I'm paying my money. I'm gonna at least walk the course. I don't care if no one's out there playing grim, I'm getting my money.
Scott:You can't get in, bro, then I can't get in, bro. They can't get in. They're not even allowing people in the parking lot. Well, you know, for the cars, I figured you could walk, no.
Graham:They're not letting anybody in, ain't that a?
Scott:Damn, yeah, that's brutal, so that sucks, dude.
Announcer:That's brutal.
Scott:Looking at the forecast for the week you week. I was thinking about this earlier when I sent you the notes about who's going to win, who's not going to win. It's 99% chance of rain tomorrow and they're supposed to get over an inch. Then it's supposed to be nice Tuesday, wednesday, thursday, of course it'll dry out a little bit. Friday 75% chance of rain. We all know Augusta has the sub air shit in the green so they can suck the moisture out of the greens, but they can't do it in the fairways. So, thinking about that, it's going to be a wet golf course. It changes the way you pick things. You know. Yeah, the course isn't going to be as firm and fast as everybody wants it to be. The greens will be, yeah, but the fairways won't. So that changes a little bit with the way you think about picking. Yeah, not a little bit, a lot bit.
Graham:Yeah, yeah, but I know through our conversations prior that it's still between two guys for us, unless things have changed since the last time we spoke no they haven't changed.
Scott:I'm still sticking with my pick. Yeah, but it takes some guys. I think if the course is going to be that wet, it takes some guys out.
Scott:Oh, exactly, for sure that in a firm, fast situation should be in play Right. When you see the conditions, the first thing you think and TP said it he goes dude, the course is going to be wet. Just give the jacket to Rory right now. Remember the US Open he won at Congressional in DC on a silken wet golf course. I think he won by like five or six. Yeah, he dominated.
Announcer:Dominated.
Scott:I mean I like my pick, that I'm still saying I'm hanging with Bryson.
Announcer:Yeah.
Scott:He, he hits it pretty far.
Graham:Last time I saw you know, a few extra yards longer than you, just a few.
Scott:But yeah than me. Come on, guy, he probably hits his three iron past my driver and pitching wedge combined distance that's going out on a limb, kind of like all you people that pick number one seeds in your brackets. Oh well, way to take a chance. I mean, come on, get fucked God.
Graham:Am I wrong? No, I'm hitting the nail on the head, you ain't wrong.
Scott:I mean, but Champions Dinner, dude, Tuesday night. We always do this on the show. We have to do it again. Yeah, Real quick. If you won the Masters for your third time I think this is our third masters episode, it is what would you? What would you serve at your third champions dinner? And I don't remember what I picked for my first or second I don't even know.
Graham:But to be honest, as you're saying this, I'm just reflecting on the fact that you said this is our third, like it's gotta be right.
Announcer:No, it's a hundred percent.
Scott:Our third yeah our third master's edition. Wow, you know what that?
Graham:deserves a smack in the face a beer claps and a rick flair.
Scott:Two claps and a rick flair. Let's go ready one, two. I mean, you're welcome, you're welcome, you're welcome. It was pretty hard to time. I know I was like waiting for you Probably my whole household is probably like what the hell is dad doing?
Graham:in the living room right now.
Scott:Oh man. So master's dinner, real quick. What you're going to serve, oh, what's your. What's your? What's your appetizer? What's your entree? What's your dessert? B? What's your entree? What's your dessert? Bada, bing, bada, boom. Without thinking too hard, first thing that comes to your head. What's your appetizer? Cucumber salad. Oh, baby you.
Graham:Got what I need. Got what I need.
Scott:And you say he's just a friend.
Graham:Anyhow, what's your option, brisket? I'll go a little Texas.
Scott:Theme A little Texas theme you know, do a little brisket.
Graham:and then you know, I've said the last two previous because it's my fave Pecan pie. Got to do it, that is.
Scott:Hey, when you got a favorite dessert, you got a favorite dessert. You got a favorite dessert. Right, it is what it is. I mean, it is what it is. I'm just gonna go appetizers, bro. It's got to be some kind of seafood theme. I'm gonna go with some scallops wrapped in bacon. Okay, you know, let's go some shrimp. You know, let's go. Little finger foods mean scallops. Got to be from the Northeast, though. I mean let's go. I don't even want to talk about some scallops right now. God dang, you're making me hungry as shit. Entree, I'm just going to go out there right now. And just because my wife and daughter dominated it the other night, I don't even know if I told you this I'm going some straight hibachi.
Scott:Oh shit, I want some filet, I want some shrimp, I want some scallops on that shit too, and we'll throw in a little yard bird chicken. I want some straight hibachi.
Graham:Could you imagine the champion's dinner? There's hibachi set up and there's like just these asian dudes. They're like okay, open your mouth tiger you ever seen?
Scott:oh, you catch a shrimp. Have you ever seen egg roll? Then he does a little onion volcano. Augusta clubhouse burns down because was champions? Champion dinner goes crazy. Oh my God, you're welcome. No, but like I was saying, dude, ava and Kristen dominate some Mabachi on the Blackstone. The other night it was sick. I had some chicken and shrimp Nice. They probably made enough to feed the entire state of Nevada.
Announcer:But you know, it was really good.
Scott:And I ate the rest of it today.
Graham:So let's go Nice, nice, red it was really good, and I ate the rest of it today, so let's go Nice, Nice, Red Velvet Cake.
Scott:You know, the staple Classic, Never veering away from that. Dude storylines going into Augusta. You know Rory wins Creed finishes off the career Grand Slam my guy's got two wins already and signature events. There's no higher pressure on a player in the field more than him yeah how's he handle it? You know there's. This is the most pressure ever that has been on rory going into Augusta because of what has happened earlier in the season with the two wins.
Graham:I mean that pressure in the final round at the US Open last year was kind of stiff, but Not more than this no, I feel you. I mean, look, it's Not more. I mean no.
Graham:I 100% agree with you. Look, I don't want to be premature with it, I'm just going to say it right now. I don't give a fuck, he's my pick, everything how he's been playing, obviously, as you said, the two wins Also recently or like a week ago. You know, look, I'm taking my time with the full swing episodes on Netflix guys, so what, who cares? But I just saw that last episode, you know, when they showed the US Open from last year between you know Rory and Bryson and the letdown there, and it's just like.
Graham:You know just how the episode was talking about Rory and his career. It's just like you know I've been thinking about it. It's like, look, rory is not Tiger. I get that, no one is Tiger. You know what I mean. Like Jack obviously is the closest, but my point in saying that is this Rory's been the guy for so long in Tiger's absence, or even I guess you could even say shadow, that it's just like he's been so consistent for so long that it's just like you. I mean, look, even with tiger, like he dominated, but all those years of being hurt, not playing, I mean a lot of people just forget. It's just like, hey, man, tiger's really only played what three years of competitive golf in the last 12,. You know it's just like we're still reminiscing of him and his game that it's just like Rory has been that guy. He's been a top, top 10 player, top five player in the world for a solid 10 years. He's been on the tour for what? Almost 18 years now and he's just he's been that guy for so long that you just kind of take it for granted type of a situation.
Graham:And I think now I'm kind of at the point where it's just like I mean I've already I've liked Rory, I've had nothing against him A lot of the times where he's been in the thick of it at the end. I will not lie, I have rooted for other people against him. I mean, look, I rooted for Bryson last year, you know, at Pinehurst in the open. But now it's just like you know what. I think I'm ready to give him his due, like I'm. I mean I'm gonna root for him and I'm gonna put my pick behind him. And I look, we know he can play, we know he knows the golf course. He can play it very well. He's almost won the thing If he didn't have that blow up on 10 and a couple other times, but it's just like he can do it. It's just in previous years. Certain things kind of like how in the Duke game Sometimes you can have your best stuff for so long and at that week or that round that few holes.
Scott:It's not about questioning Can Rory do it or not? Oh, he can do it.
Scott:The thing about winning at Augusta Is the mental oh for sure side of it. Yeah, and like I was saying earlier, the pressure that is going to be on this guy when he steps on the 10th tee with a two-shot lead on Sunday and he's got Ludwig, he's got Scotty, he's got Bryson, two shots behind him how's he going to handle it? Right, because we all know we all know, you and I have witnessed it the roars on Sunday on the back nine at Augusta are not just what people talk about, they are real. Right, and something you and I also know there's not leaderboards at Augusta national that show where you stand on every other hole, like every other event. Right, they only have your group. And when you're hearing roars, you don't have an effing clue what's going on. And our boy Badger can't even sell you one.
Graham:You're right, I mean when we were there.
Scott:I take it back to my only Sunday at Augusta. Jordan Spieth's running away from the tournament. They've already made the turn on the back nine. I'm sitting on the 18th green and Phil holds out for Eagle where you were I don't know if it was 13 or 15, a bunker shot and the roar that we heard from the 18th green the guy sitting next to me that had been to the last 20 majors goes. That's not a roar of anything but an eagle.
Graham:Yeah, I mean yeah, it was a 15 on the big scoreboard on 18.
Scott:Yeah, as they changed the number from Phil to show Eagle, that roar was almost as loud as the roar that you heard down from the 15th hole. Yeah, so now you got all these roars and you got Rory trying to win the career grand slam. What he has to do to put on the green jacket this coming Sunday is going to be the hardest win of his career and I want to see it. I'm pulling for the guy A hundred percent. I want to see that. But what he has to do mentally Wow.
Graham:Now let me ask you a question Does your opinion change on him for better, positively, if he does complete the Grand Slam, or is he already in that upper echelon of players?
Scott:Dude, he's already in the upper echelon Right.
Graham:Yeah. It's more of just like checkingelon Right? Yeah, he's. I mean it's more of just like Checking off the box.
Scott:Let's do it. Yeah, you know, let's. Yeah, let's join that new crowd. Yeah, you know he deserves it.
Graham:Oh, 100%. I mean, he's Unofficially, officially been the face of the league For how many years now?
Scott:Yeah, it's been a while dude officially been the face of the league for how many years now? Yeah, it's been a while, dude, it's been a while. And, like I said, after he won the playoff, the players hitting those little flighted seeds, hitting that half shot yeah, those shots, dude, that's what he's got to hit. Nobody ever doubted the guy's the best driver of the golf ball on the goddamn planet.
Graham:Yeah, I mean, dude, he's a surgeon, without a doubt Surgeon.
Scott:My guy misses greens with wedges in his hands and, like I said, the first thing he did with Butch Harmon hit little flighted shots. Learn how to hit this half shot. Yeah, you know, he did it in the playoff on 17. You know, it's all grass. The guy I don't know With his length, every par five's reachable. Yeah, you know, two's reachable. Eight is the only one, depending on where they put the T's Right, that's even in question.
Announcer:Yeah, you know 13,.
Scott:I mean, that's not in question. Yeah, you know 13 that I mean that's not even 15, simple. But hit some fighted wages, hit it in the right spot of the green name of the game. But, like I said, the mental part of it, wow, wow. And the pressure, the questions he's going to get in the press conferences this week leading up to Thursday. How does he handle that first round?
Graham:You know, the more you keep talking about the pressure and how he's going to handle it, does that like all I can think about? As you're saying that? It's just like. I just feel like people just take for granted what tiger woods did, like he was the odds-on favorite. Every match he he stepped on, like every tournament he he signed up for. He, like everyone, expects him to win, and especially the majors. He was always favored and especially to put himself in contention, not only not only that, but the intimidation factor of tiger oh people crumbled.
Scott:I'll. I'll take this back to 2004 at scga in murrieta, california. Okay, it, it's the Wednesday night before the California State Open. Your boy got an exemption because it was his course, right, and I'm on the putting green with the guy that I used to get lessons from and we're just putting and a guy that he taught as a kid that ended up winning the event, a player that you probably know of, jason Gore. Yeah, comes up on the putting green and Arliss introduces me to him. We're talking and Arliss goes look at all the dudes down on the range right now grinding trying to find a golf swing the night before the tournament. And Jason's like exactly, you got to dance with the girl you brought at this point Facts. And then Arliss goes and Jason goes.
Scott:I've played with Tiger in events and when you shake his hand, tiger's really saying you know? Tiger's saying to you hey, graham, nice to meet you, let's have a good day. And in his mind he goes I'm going to meet you, let's have a good day. And in his mind he goes I'm gonna drum you by six today. Facts, yeah, and, and people knew that, but that's a different topic yeah unfortunately homeboy ain't playing this week.
Graham:That's sad dude, we're not even gonna get into that. Dude his april fools. Sad Dude his April Fools, or his post on Twitter Dude, it was awful. Dude, he had me for 10 seconds. Not even 10, like five seconds.
Scott:I was like what I was right there, what, what Right there, dude, I like jumped out of my seat.
Graham:I was like what, what did?
Scott:he say he slept in like a hyperbaric chamber for two weeks in a row to heal. I'm like, oh my God, is this real? And I'm like, oh you dipshit, it's April 1st.
Graham:Dude, every time I get caught with something like that, every time, yeah.
Scott:All right, so your top pick, you're obviously going Rory. Yeah, that's your play my your top pick.
Scott:You're obviously going, rory. Yeah, that's your play, my top pick. I'm sticking with what I've been saying. I'm sticking with Bryson. Okay, I like those two picks. Number one, because the course should be a little wet, be playing long. Not only that, but the Masters always favor somebody that can move the golf ball from right to left. Hit and draws for righties, hitting cuts for lefties. Insert Bubba Watson, phil Mickelson. They won a couple of green jackets. Who's your long shot, and by long shot? What are we saying? What do we say? Over 40 or 50 to 1?
Graham:Yeah, Well, besides the top four guys, everyone's almost over 50-1. You know, I know we talked prior to starting the episode and I know you don't like to take first-timers, but man, this is tough. It's just like Corey Connors isn been playing really well this last few months.
Scott:Wow, I thought you were going on a different way, I like that I mean.
Graham:It's just I like him. I mean McNeely's been playing well, but he's also another, as you were saying, like a first-timer yeah first-timer. Wait, let's see when is he at, where is no, was he? I mean, is oh, he's okay 55. I mean, look, fino was what. Didn't he finish in second place last year Just?
Scott:you know, know he's had.
Graham:I mean, it's not like he's been up and down, he's been Consistent already. I wouldn't be mad at that. But yeah, I mean I'd probably say Tony Fino. And then I like, for some reason, just like subconsciously, corey Connors is just like blinking in my head right now. So I'm going to go with those two.
Scott:You better throw something on him.
Graham:Yeah.
Scott:My long shot is somebody. That's pretty funny because I was talking about it with TP earlier. I'm actually going to bet on this guy for top 20. I'm also going to bet on him to miss the cut because I can't wait for this.
Graham:I have no idea who this is, by the way.
Scott:Folks no idea, and you know I'm trying to find what is his odds to win. Come on, he won last week Min Woo Lee. Oh, he hits it a long way if the course is wet, yeah.
Graham:I like it it plays into his.
Scott:I like it Well, but, like I said, I'm betting him to win or top 20 and to miss the cut.
Graham:Hey speaking of big names, that I would love to bet the farm on to miss the cut. Jon Rahm, hello, how are you, friend? What have you done recently? Who?
Scott:Nothing, yeah, oh okay, Minwu's 60-1 to win. Like ah yeah, I don't understand how Jon Rahm is literally favored higher than Bryson. Dude, I don't get how Jon Rahm is literally favored higher than Bryson.
Graham:Dude, I don't get it at all.
Scott:Ludwig, ludwig, can I do a matchup of Ludwig versus Jon Rahm, please? Yeah, please, even though Ludwig missed a cut this past week. I mean, can I get an odds on that matchup? I mean, come on, how is he favored higher than Jordan Spieth?
Graham:I mean he's turned. How is he favored higher than Jordan Spieth? I mean he's turning around those last couple events I'll give him that.
Scott:Yeah, I like those. I mean another top 20 or miscut Victor Hovland. Yeah, Pick your poison.
Announcer:Yeah.
Graham:I don't know, I wish I could parlay miscuts Like you're definitely getting, like you ain't making it, you ain't making it, you ain't making it. And not obviously the obvious, the old-timers and stuff we get that. I'm saying like yeah, I'm saying real people you know, like the Jordan Reeds and the.
Scott:All right, here's a nationality prop here on DraftKings. Uh-oh, Top South American finisher Joaquin Neiman, Nico, et cetera. Blah, blah, blah blah. Jonathan Vegas or Cabrera Cabrera's 12 to 1.
Graham:Let me get my trusty flip a coin out.
Scott:Neiman's minus 165. Wow right, just quick, you're wasting time. Uh, the first one, neiman, yeah, okay, how about? Yeah Okay, how about top European Rory, rom, ludwig, tommy, fleetwood, hovland, haddon, lowry, bob McIntyre, straka or Sergio, I mean?
Graham:if I'm obviously taking the big dog for the fight, of course. Yeah, it's Rory. Yeah, I mean top American obviously is going to be Scheffler. I mean he's 4-1, so that doesn't surprise us. I'm kind of curious how he's going to play this week. I'm kind of on the fence on where.
Scott:It was funny my dad was talking about last week. When we're talking about it he goes you know Scheffler's kind of in a slump. I'm like he just shot 63 on the weekend and finished in second place in the tour event. I'm glad we call top tens every week a slump. How good is this guy?
Graham:Well, I mean when you won eight times on the tour last year. It's kind of like.
Scott:Yeah, I don't know. It's a fun time, dude, it's great. If you haven't downloaded the Masters app, do it. Something new to the Masters app this year in the coverage? This is pretty sick. They're going to have a little part on the app where you can view you can normally view like aiming corner yeah, this or that. They're going to have every player in their stats and shots on the range so as they hit a 7-iron on the range, you're going to be like oh, rory just hit a 7-iron, 190 yards. The launch angle was this, the spin rate was this. It curved.
Graham:This Is that any good? Yeah, all the golf nerds out there are like, oh my god, yes.
Scott:Somebody like you that doesn't know if a golf ball is stuffed or inflated are like oh yeah, that's real cool.
Graham:It's compressed. Go fuck yourself. You're like wait, it's a it's.
Scott:Masters Week. No, I said stuffed or inflated. I know you said compressed. I know I said it's inflated.
Graham:I know you said compressed. I know I said it's neither it's compressed Anyway whatever.
Scott:On that note, Graham, get us out of here. Jim Nance, enjoy your time in the Butler cabin. Wish I was there with you.
Graham:Mm-hmm.
Scott:Next year. Hopefully everything happens right and all my friends win the lottery and we can experience walking the back nine in augusta together.
Graham:Man, I just got goosebumps as I said that dude, you said that and I'm like that or our three football games working for us this year I think I'd rather have all my boys yeah, I would too. I would too for yeah.
Scott:It doesn't even compare.
Announcer:Yeah it doesn't.
Graham:I'm just like, eh Nope, not at all. But no, I totally agree, scott. Thank you for you know embarrassing me yet again this week and had a blast, as always. I'm excited for the Masters week. Let's go, cougars, and you know what. I could use another beer, so I'm going to go get one, but before I do that, as the best homie always says, buh-bye.
Scott:Graham, it's Masters Week. Let's go. One thing we haven't talked about on this episode that we have talked about on the previous episodes, was a hot chick. If you watched Ovechkin score the goal tonight, you saw his wife. She's the hot chick of the week for the episode. Good night, friends, Ovechkin. Thanks for letting me witness history. Let's go.
Announcer:Bryson this episode of the bald guys on the bench podcast is brought to you by our friends at north star credit union and southern auto, located in southeast virginia.
