Bay State Golf Podcast

2025 Open Championship Preview + Venue Talk, Player Tiers, and Picks

In this Open Championship deep dive, Sean and Paul tee off on everything from course repetition to major championship schedules to who actually needs a win at Royal Portrush. They debate legacy vs. form, make picks, and even go off the rails into Savannah Bananas and lost golf history in country club basements. 

Timestamps:

  • 00:01 – Intro: Venue fatigue, Billy Horschel’s European comments
  • 01:09 – Open Championship nostalgia & why it’s Sean’s favorite major
  • 03:21 – St. Andrews, Tiger Woods Golf, and getting to know the rota courses
  • 05:19 – Should the US Open move back to August? Scheduling mayhem
  • 08:24 – NFL vs PGA: Why fans might actually watch golf in September
  • 11:11 – Anchor sites and the pros/cons of repeat venues
  • 13:48 – Can Port Rush produce a better tournament this time?
  • 15:28 – Should The Open ever leave the UK? Portmarnock and beyond
  • 18:05 – Why expansion to continental Europe might flop
  • 20:13 – The USGA’s overcorrection from Chambers Bay, Shinnecock, etc.
  • 21:23 – PGA Tour players’ obsession with uniform conditions
  • 23:02 – Scar tissue? Player reactions to tricky venues
  • 23:29 – Player Tiers Breakdown:
    • 23:29 – Moral Victories (Morikawa, JT, Hovland, etc.)
    • 39:10 – Legacy Chasers (Rahm’s Slam chase, Rory’s double major bid, etc.)
    • 50:38 – Guys Rounding Into Form
    • 55:46 – First-Time Major Hopefuls
    • 58:18 – New Faces of the Major Drought Club
  • 01:00:51 – Draft Picks: Sean & Paul’s top 3 contenders
  • 01:13:26 – Dark Horse picks: Tristan Lawrence & Tom McKibbin
  • 01:17:04 – Could golf learn anything from the Savannah Bananas?
  • 01:22:06 – YouTube golf, influencer matches, and a lost Byron Nelson photo
  • 01:24:40 – Final thoughts: Enjoy the coffee golf!

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