Mark, how was it?

It was electric.

It was amazing.

And, uh, you know, Oxford's one of my favorite places in the world.

I'm not sure that's the same when they have 300,000 people in town, um, But, I mean, like you said, it's the perfect college football scenario.

We're serving court papers on Tuesday, Lane's playing shenanigans with the injury report on Wednesday.

You know, I thought there was some more gamesmanship on Saturday when the coaches' elevators didn't work.

What was it like there?

What the hell? [laughs]

Yeah.

If Scottie Scheffler falls to Michael Block, Blockie, and, uh, you know, doesn't get his $2 million he's owed.

So once they determined they were gonna split it up with a final 72-hole stroke play tournament to determine the ch- the season-long champion and the final points list and then go to match play, guys came on board with it.

You know, something Scottie brought up earlier in the week, you know, it's gonna be different or a little weird to have that first tournament that, that 32 player, you know, group play, eight four-man groups, kinda like World Cup w- and with, and not have a winner.

You know, that, that's different for golf.

But you know, the World Cup does it.

[laughs]

Did you say Burrow has also asked that his number not be used?

That, that is what Brian Kelly told me, and nobody has worn number nine.

And, you know, if you talk to some people at LSU, th- there's an unwritten rule, quote-unquote, that if you win a Heisman Trophy, they unofficially retire your jersey and nobody wears it.

Now, the published policy regarding retired jerseys is that since September, or excuse me, January 1st, 2007, they'll retire a player's jersey, but they will n- not retire the number, and it will go back into circulation.

There's 125 guys on rosters now.

There's only 100 numbers.

Um, you know, the only jersey that won't ever be worn again by an LSU player is number 20, which was Billy Cannon, the 1959 Heisman Trophy winner, whose jersey was retired decades ago.

And I, maybe I'm crazy, I think they probably would've said to the kid, "We'll get you number nine." And this year if Lane Kiffin had to hand out number nine to the number two cornerback in America or else he transfers, he might have handed out number nine.

Also, did you say Burrow has also asked that his number not be

used? That is what Brian Kelly told me.

And nobody has warned number nine.

You know, if you talk to some people at LSU, there's an unwritten rule, quote-unquote, that if you win a Heisman Trophy, they unofficially retire your jersey and nobody wears it.

Now, the published policy regarding retired jerseys is that since January 1, 2007, they'll retire a player's jersey, but they will not retire the number, and it will go back into circulation.

There's 125 guys.

On rosters now, there's only 100 numbers.

Just what do you make of that?

Also, did you say Burrow has also asked that his number not be

used? That is what Brian Kelly told me, and nobody has warned number nine.

If you talk to some people at LSU, there's an unwritten rule, quote-unquote, that if you win a Heisman Trophy, they unofficially retire your jersey and nobody wears it.

Now, the published policy regarding retired jerseys is that since January 1, 2007, they'll retire a player's jersey, but they will not retire the number, and it will go back into circulation.

There's 125 guys retired.

On rosters now, there's only 100 numbers.

The only jersey that won't ever be worn again by an LSU player is number 20, which was Billy Cannon, the 1959 Heisman Trophy winner, whose jersey was retired decades ago.

What do you make of that?

But tell us what this is all about and what you learned from the spokesperson.

Yeah, we got this tip yesterday afternoon and reached out to Daniel's camp and said, hey, we're hearing that there's a problem at LSU with his jersey number, number five, that DJ Pickett, a sophomore corner, was number two cornerback in the country last year.

as a recruit out of Florida and played as a true freshman, was a freshman All-American.

He wore number three last year.

He wore number five to practice last week.

And some reporters asked Lane Kiffin about it.

And the Daniels camp, we were told the Daniels camp was really upset about it, that there might have been a cease and desist letter sent.

The jersey number as the backbone, as the basis for them being emotionally distressed profoundly disrespected as they wrote emotionally distraught over this is about number five being given to this DJ Pickett but as it relates to the cease and desist letter on ongoing NIL is there an actual argument for players when they leave the school they're in the NFL that the school can't benefit from their name image and likeness even though they won a Heisman Trophy wearing that school's uniform

But tell us what this is all about and what you learned from the spokesperson.

Yeah, we got this tip yesterday afternoon and reached out to Daniels camp and said, hey, we're here in the There's a problem at LSU with his Jersey number, number five.

That DJ Pickett, sophomore corner, was number two cornerback in the country last year as a recruit out of Florida and played as a true freshman, was a freshman All-American.

He wore number three last year.

He wore number five to practice last week, and some reporters asked Lane Kiffin about it.

And the Daniels camp, we were told the Daniels camp was really upset about it, that there might have been a cease and desist letter sent and, um, you know, late last night, got my hands on the cease and desist letter, talk to some folks at LSU, talk to some people in Daniel's camp.

And yeah, it's, it's a, it's a pretty big, um, and you know, his number has not Jane Daniels.

But as it relates to the cease and desist letter on ongoing NIL, is there an actual argument for players when they leave the school, they're in the NFL, that the school can't benefit from their name, image, and likeness even though they won a Heisman Trophy wearing that school's uniform?

Do you like this format going for this year?

Yeah, they made that change last year.

Everybody started the top 30 at Eastlake, and Atlanta started at even par in the past.

It was staggered scoring, and it was too confusing for fans to follow.

You know, they're going to blow this thing up in 2028.

Brian Rolafa came up from the NFL last, The new CEO, he really wants to change the format.

I think more than anything, he wants to get these tournaments out of the South.

plenty to watch as golf continues to get humming in memphis talking to mark schleybaugh here on espn radio i want to talk about some of the live stuff that we saw away from this recently their ceo scott o'neill announced they'd secured an investor to keep the league going in 2027 and beyond based on what you've heard about what they've described what do you actually believe the future is for live at this point

But tell us what this is all about and what you learned from the spokesperson.

Yeah, we got this tip yesterday afternoon and, uh, reached out to, to Daniels' camp and said, "Hey, we're hearing that there's a problem at LSU with his jersey number, number five.

Um, that DJ Pickett, a sophomore corner, was number two cornerback in the country last year as a recruit out of Florida and played as a, as a true freshman, was a freshman All-American.

Uh, he wore number three last year.

He wore number five to practice last week, and some reporters asked Lane Kiffin about it.

Um, and the Daniels camp...

I was-- we were told the Daniels camp was really upset about it, that there might have been a cease and desist letter sent.

Mm-hmm

Do you see it that way, kind of a tier above everybody else in the SEC, or is there another school or two that you would throw right in the mix there at the top?

No, I like Texas.

I'm with you, though.

I've seen Kirby do it.

I've got to see Sark do it.

He's never done it at USC or, you know, Texas.

They bring in Cam Coleman, who I thought was the best player in the transfer portal.

But does it surprise you in today's college football landscape that somehow Signetti is not totally being bought into by the betting public from our end?

Oh, man.

Yeah, I, I think, you know, going back to your question on Georgia, I think, um, I think Kirby really likes this team.

I think he really likes his defense.

I think it's as close to those 21, 22 defenses that, that he's had.

I don't think you're ever gonna see a defense at any school that good ever again just because the circumstances have changed, and you can't stockpile five stars on top of five stars anymore 'cause they don't wanna sit and red shirt and wait their turn.

I mean, that team had Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter running second team on the defensive line, which is insane.

But, um, they got a lot of pass rush here.

Uh, do you see it that way, kind of a tier above everybody else in the SEC, or is there another school or two that you would throw right in the mix there at the top?

Do you see it that way, kind of a tier above everybody else in the SEC, or is there another school or two that you would throw right in the mix there at the top?

No, I like Texas.

I'm with you, though.

I've seen Kirby do it.

I've got to see Sark do it.

He's never done it at USC or Texas.

They bring in Cam Coleman, who I thought was the best player in the transfer portal.

But does it surprise you in today's college football landscape that somehow Signetti is not totally being bought into by the betting public from our end?

He makes the cut." Is that like a breaking point for Scottie, uh, maybe to kinda reevaluate, or do we think he bounces back? How do you think Scottie views this week after something he hasn't done in forever?

Well, I mean, he hadn't won since the season opening event.

He's got four runner-ups.

He's got 14 top 25s in, in 15 starts.

You know, his iron play has been a little bit off, but I mean, he's still top 25 in the world.

Um, he couldn't hit fairways last week, but I've, I've been over to, to North Berwick, Scotland, and, and if you're just a little bit off, the wind's really tricky.

Uh, he was asked about missing the cut.

Do you need to hit driver?

What is your takeaway from the US Open, and obviously Wyndham winning his second ever?

Yeah, I think for as much grief as the US Open caught the last two times, I think they did a fantastic job.

They, they did...

You know, you couldn't accou- uh, accounted for the, the fog on Thursday morning, but um, you know, the greens were moist and, and uh, Clark took advantage of that Thursday afternoon, went low, and, and kinda held on to the end.

But you know, it's, it's one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world.

I think they got what they wanted.

I think the Shinnecock members got what they wanted with only three guys under par.

[laughs]

What is the conversation around Wyndham Clark, and then is he gonna have to face any of the super stiff wind that maybe the earlier rounds yesterday had to face?

Uh, the wind's started to pick up, but he's on hole 15 right now.

I mean, this is a guy that went from smashing lockers at Oakmont to potentially smashing records here at Shinnecock this week.

The largest 36 hole lead in the US Open history, Pat, is, uh, six by Tiger back in 2000 at Pebble Beach, and, and Rory did it in 2011 at Congressional.

But, you know, he's a guy that wanted a US Open back at LA Country Club a few years ago.

He really struggled for more than a year with a, with a, with a double miss off the tee.

Um, but won the Byron Nelson a couple weeks ago, the CJ Cup at the Byron Nelson.

Um, do we think, like, of those guys that have won major championships and guys that are obviously in the top 10 in the PGA, um, do we think any of them can go get them? Is Wyndham a guy that, that could let this shrink away come the weekend?

Who does that benefit? Um, and are they so wide because there's so little rough before you get to the wispy stuff?

They're, they're wider than they were back in '18.

Um, but it's kinda deceiving because you, you've got some blind tee shots.

But as you can see there, you've got the native area, too.

The fescue rough is about five inches, so it's, it's, it's penal to, to a, you know, a real severe ex- extent.

Uh, Rory said, "Look, you should be able to hit these fairways.

Uh, if you don't, you should be really penalized." You know, and the PGA Everybody came in saying we're gonna shoot 20 under, which is why I said it was gonna be a rip it and grip course.

Good.

Which one's the passion? You like football more or golf more?

Uh, I'm still a college football guy.

I tell you, they, they asked me to help out with the majors-Probably seven years ago.

Yeah, I think it was seven years ago because the first major I covered for ESPN was the 2019 Masters when Tiger won.

And Saturday afternoon, my golf editor turns to me and said, you better start working on a Tiger win story.

So I went to a fresh market across the street from Augusta, picked us up some ribeyes, marinated those and sat there and wrote for like three hours.

And he ends up winning.

I thought they already announced that.

Who should do well here today, you think?

Um, I tell you, I, I told you earlier in the week that, uh, DeChambeau or Rahm winning this thing would be the big storyline.

But, but if Jordan Spieth wins, he'll complete the career grand slam, and then he's in a four-way tie, five-way tie for first right now at three under.

Just had it back-to-back birdies.

I mean, it would be the biggest story in golf, Pat, since Tiger Woods won the 2019 Masters.

I mean, he's still a guy that, that moves the needle, a fan favorite.

He's a rollercoaster.

R&A

What should we know going into the weekend, Mark?

Uh, right now it's, it's, it's a soft course.

Um, the rough's only about three and a half inches long.

There's some more rain expected maybe Wednesday and Thursday.

Pat, I think it's gonna be a grip it and rip it type of course.

If, if those conditions stay, um, that means Rory McIlroy I think would have a sho- a good shot.

Didn't ... had to clean up the short game a little bit.

... on the potential leaderboard on Sunday, 'cause he's always lurking, always lurking out there.

Uh.

No, I mean, you hit it.

Look, a bunch of guys got...

A bunch of rich guys got richer.

Their agents got richer.

Uh, they disrupted the game.

I, I think their legacy will be that they made the PGA Tour evolve to bigger purses, uh, you know, signature events with, with more elite fields.

How do you see it kind of all unraveling? Will it be situations are situational? Like, "Hey, Rambo, yeah, we'd certainly love to have you come back 'cause you're so good at golf"? Like, how do you kind of view it, Mark?

Right

... and paid a hefty price, um, and then Patrick Reed.

But the PGA Tour obviously has all the leverage in the world.

Um, and look, not all these guys are gonna wanna come back, and, and the PGA Tour is not gonna want everybody in LIV.

There are some guys that'll probably never come back, who sued the, the PGA Tour in court, you know, Matt Jones, Hudson Swafford.

Um, Bryson DeChambeau is one of those, but, you know, he's one of the most popular golfers in the world, so how do you figure out the penalty? You know, Bryson has talked about just going and playing in the majors and YouTube golf.

But, um, you know, I think it's gonna be...

Bryson and Rahm are the two that have to be back on the PGA Tour.

Right

... and paid a hefty price.

Um, and then Patrick Reed.

But the PGA Tour obviously has all the leverage in the world.

Um, and look, not all these guys are gonna wanna come back, and, and the PGA Tour is not gonna want everybody in LIV.

There are some guys that'll probably never come back who sued the, the PGA Tour in court.

You know, Matt Jones, Hudson Swafford.

Bryson and Rahm are the two that have to be back on the PGA tour.

Right

... and paid a hefty price.

Um, and then Patrick Reed.

But the PGA Tour obviously has all the leverage in the world.

Um, and look, not all these guys are gonna wanna come back, and, and the PGA Tour is not gonna want everybody in LIV.

There are some guys that'll probably never come back who sued the, the PGA Tour in court.

You know, Matt Jones, Hudson Swafford.

Bryson and Rahm are the two that have to be back on the PGA Tour.

What do we need to look at this weekend, you think at Augusta, for these guys who are gonna s- try to be remembered as icons of sport forever?

Yeah.

I, you know, I think it's wide open.

I mean, you probably heard Tiger's not here, Phil's not here unfortunately.

But, uh, you know, Scott, he's still struggling with the swing a little bit, fighting the driver.

He's got two kids he's gotta chase down now.

Uh, just had a new son, Remy, 10 days ago.

Good vodka.

Uh, what does this do to that?

Yeah, John, I don't, I don't know if it, it makes much of an impact.

You know, I had my doubts about whether or not Tiger Woods would show up a- at Augusta National in two weeks.

You know, everybody got excited when he showed up to TGL for the first time, but he took 12 to 15 swings.

You know, going to Augusta National, walking 72 holes, playing a couple practice rounds on one of the, the hilliest and most treacherous walks in professional golf is an entirely different animal.

You know, I think the question now is does he go to Augusta National at all? You know, he, he's invited to the champions dinner.

Uh, he redid the patch, the public course over in Augusta.