PODCAST 76: Jhonattan Vegas wins the RBC Canadian Open

On this week's episode of the Golf Unfiltered Podcast, we talk about Jhonattan Vegas's win at the 2016 RBC Canadian Open. We also briefly discuss this week's PGA Championship, our favorite to win, and other exciting updates in the world of Golf Unfiltered. Be sure to rate us five stars on iTunes!

Golf Unfiltered Podcast 60: Kyle Porter

This week on the Golf Unfiltered Podcast we welcome Kyle Porter, golf blogger from CBS Sports, onto the show. Kyle and I discuss how he got his start in writing and how he ended up at CBS Sports at a time when the company made a transition from having traditional golf writing to the blogging approach. Kyle takes us behind the scenes in his day-to-day, how he approaches the topics he writes about, and how often he gets to travel to golf tournaments.

We then transition into a discussion about writing in general and the many benefits from expressing one's self through the medium. Kyle is an exceptional longform writer, especially when doing so on topics close to his heart. We share examples of using writing as a form of therapy and remaining centered amid the hectic and difficult nature of life.

Follow Kyle Porter on Twitter at @KylePorterCBS. Read his amazing longform piece about his daughter, Kate, on Medium.com here.

Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes or Android via the links below the player!

Golf Unfiltered Podcast 53: Who is the Secret Tour Pro? (Part I)

In the year's final episode of the Golf Unfiltered Podcast, we begin the first of a two-part series detailing the mystery and intrigue that surrounds Twitter's Secret Tour Pro. Read our first exclusive email interview with STP here.

In Part I, we welcome the assistant of the STP to the show to give even more insight into his identity. Why did he start the Twitter account? Why all the anonymity? What are the benefits of going down this path, and what does STP hope to gain from this?

We discuss some of the tactics the STP has used to give clues to his Twitter followers and what the end game is when all is said and done. Does the STP want to be uncovered? Will there ever be a big reveal? Perhaps in Part II of this series...?

We even touch on a blockbuster equipment deal between Under Armour and another manufacturer that almost came true.

If you're a fan of the Secret Tour Pro and the mystery that surrounds him, this is an episode that you don't want to miss!

Golf Unfiltered Podcast 48: Stephanie Wei

Stephanie Wei, owner of WeiUnderPar.com and writer for multiple golf news outlets joins the Golf Unfiltered Podcast this week. Stephanie explains how she got her start in golf writing and the many iterations of her popular golf blog. She and I discuss the ups and downs of golf blogging, including a few items that many readers probably don't realize about the industry. How did Stephanie grow her audience and notoriety in the business? What does she consider her first "big break?"

We then lead into a frank discussion of Stephanie's recent run-in with the PGA Tour after filming players with the smartphone app, Periscope. What happened in the days, weeks, and months that followed the incident? Has Stephanie's view on the situation changed over time, or does it remain the same? Things get REAL in this segment.

Finally, Stephanie and I trade takes on the latest USGA handicap rule change. Was it fair? How many people could this impact? Why can't I just be allowed to cheat to feel good about myself?

Follow Stephanie Wei on Twitter @WeiUnderPar.

Subscribe to the Golf Unfiltered Podcast on iTunes via the link below!

Golf Unfiltered Podcast 38: Ryan Ballengee of Golf News Net

Ryan Ballengee, owner and editor at Golf News Net is back on the Golf Unfiltered Podcast this week to talk Jordan Spieth, golf writing and much more. First, Ryan and I recap the Year of Jordan and all the greatness that came with it. Was this a one-hit wonder from a talented youngster or the beginning of golf's new superstar? How does Jordan's year truly compare to those of other greats like Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus? Is he truly the best player in the world or just the product of a complicated golf ranking system?

We then shift gears into a discussion about golf writing and golf blogging. Are there similarities between the two, are they different, or is it an argument that has to be left alone? Ryan and I also touch on a recent article of his discussing press releases and how there's a misconception on readership opportunity for those products.

This is definitely an episode for golf fans, golf nerds and golf writers alike!

Follow Ryan Ballengee on Twitter at @RyanBallengee.

Subscribe to us via iTunes using the link below!

EMERGENCY Golf Unfiltered Podcast: Tiger Woods back surgery

What better way to discuss the late breaking news about the latest Tiger Woods back surgery earlier in the week than by welcoming back fan-favorite Kristen to the show? Kristen, a.k.a "The Old Lady", and I toss around various ridiculous takes on Tiger's surprise microdiscectomy on Wednesday of this week. Why can't this guy stay healthy? Should his doctors be to blame? Perhaps it is his workout regimen? There appears to be more questions than answers on this topic.

Next, and by complete surprise to me, Kristen whips out a list of notes and rapid-fire questions to bombard me with for about 20 minutes. Definitely the most uncomfortable I've felt on the podcast since it began! THANKS KRISTEN.

Follow Kristen on Twitter @anast24.

Subscribe to the Golf Unfiltered Podcast on iTunes via the link below!

VIDEO: Jordan Spieth's pre-round warm-up routine

PGA Tour media has been killing it lately with a wide range of YouTube videos focusing on players' pre-round warm-up routines. Not only do the videos provide a behind-the-scenes look at some of the biggest names on Tour, they also serve as a helpful reminder that practice makes perfect, even for the world's best. Jordan Spieth's pre-round warm-up isn't anything out of the ordinary, but very systematic and consistent from one tournament to the next.

In fact, you might say it's downright robotic. But that doesn't mean it isn't effective.

Pay close attention to the percentage of shots under 100 yards he hits in his warm-up.

Golf Unfiltered Podcast 29: PGA Championship, Wyndham, and more!

Matt Castonguay, Senior Editor at BunkersParadise.com is back to talk about golfy things on this week's episode of the Golf Unfiltered Podcast! We start things off with a recap of the 2015 PGA Championship. What does Jason Day's first career major victory mean for the rest of his career? Can he become a multiple-major winner, or will he be a one-hit wonder? Matt and I also offer our take on the "Tiger Woods of 2000 vs Jordan Spieth of 2015" argument that's surfaced on social media as of late.

We then turn our attention to the 2015 Wyndham Championship as most PGA Tour pros make their final push to qualify for the FedExCup Playoffs. Tiger makes his first-ever appearance at the event, but does it really matter for his postseason aspirations?

Finally, Matt and I give our DraftKings fantasy golf picks for the week and talk a little (more) strategy on choosing our teams.

Follow Matt on Twitter at @mcastonguay27.

Read his stuff on BunkersParadise.com.

Wyndham Championship 2015 DraftKings fantasy golf picks, pricing & values

The major championship season may be behind us, but many PGA Tour stars are in a mad rush to qualify for the start of the FedExCup Playoffs in a couple weeks. This week's 2015 Wyndham Championship features a flurry of big names from which to choose for your DraftKings fantasy golf roster, so let's get right into it.

Strategy

As we've discussed on multiple podcast episodes, strategy is everything when it comes to a massive fantasy golf system like DraftKings. Pat Mayo over at RotoExperts.com is the best at explaining all the stats you should consider when making your picks, which boil down to:

1. Strokes Gained: Putting
2. Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green

Aside from that, I like to play the "hot hands" every week; those players who have placed in the Top-10 or higher in recent tournament weeks, whenever possible.

Sometimes that works, sometimes it doesn't; however, I feel much more comfortable "wasting" a pick on a guy who finished well last week than some random shot in the proverbial dark.

Best Value

Brandt Snedeker ($10,300) might be the best value in the field. He's got eight top-10's this season including a win thanks to one of the Tour's most consistent putting strokes. He finished T12 at last week's PGA Championship, finishing fourth in Strokes Gained: Putting.

Adam Scott and Hideki Matsuyama are the highest-priced plays in the field at $10,900 each. While I don't see them as finishing high this week, neither will kill your $50,000 salary cap if you choose one or the other.

That being said, there are plenty of "higher value" options throughout the different tiers in the field.

Best of the Rest

• Bill Haas ($9,600)
• Webb Simpson ($9,500)
• Will Wilcox ($8,400)
• Austin Cook ($8,000)
• Jason Dufner ($7,600)
• Vaughn Taylor ($6,700)
• William McGirt ($6,600)
• Boo Weekley ($6,600)
• Matt Every ($6,100)

DraftKings Fantasy Golf Picks for the Week

1. Brandt Snedeker ($10,300)
2. Martin Kaymer ($9,800)
3. Will Wilcox ($8,400)
4. Austin Cook ($8,000)
5. Boo Weekley ($6,600)
6. Matt Every ($6,100)

DraftKings fantasy golf picks: 2015 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational

Finally! We get a little stability on the PGA Tour season with a return to the familiar face of Firestone C.C. for this week's 2015 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. Defending champion Rory McIlroy is skipping this week to "rest his injured ankle" by playing a practice round at Whistling Straits instead, so you'll need to get creative with your DraftKings fantasy golf picks this week. Don't worry. We've got you covered. Don't forget to join via the link below and use promo code 'Unfiltered' to play for FREE.

Jordan Spieth is easily the favorite heading into Firestone as he makes his first tournament appearance since nearly winning the British Open last month. He leads the PGA Tour in a number of categories -- including adjusted scoring, par-4 scoring and multiple putting stats -- which means he'll come with a hefty DraftKings salary ($12,500).

Rickie Fowler, however, might be the more cost-conscious play this week ($10,500) without compromising too many potential fantasy points. He took solo second at last week's Quicken Loans National and has two wins on his resume this season (The Players, Scottish Open). Fowler has two top-10's at Firestone in his young career, making him a solid start this week.

Zach Johnson might be the DraftKings bargain of the week. Coming in at sub-$10,000, the British Open Champion has six top-20's at this event in his career. He also makes his first start since St. Andrews, which means he'll be well rested heading in to a course at which he's played well multiple times.

Kevin Kisner and Robert Streb also seem adequately priced ($7,700 and $7,500, respectively). Kisner has six top-10 finishes this season in 17 made-cuts and has averaged nearly 63 fantasy points per tournament. Streb has more made-cuts (19) and more top-10's (7), but for some reason is still priced lower than many golfers with similar stats. For example, the higher-priced Hideki Matsuyama ($9,000+) has a scoring average of 69.9 on the year... which is the exact same as Streb.

Ryan Palmer and Troy Merritt are also strong plays this week as both have hot hands for different reasons. Palmer has played extremely consistent all year, boasting a 69.1 fantasy point average with four top-10's and 13/16 cuts made. Merritt is fresh off his first career PGA Tour win at the Quicken Loans last week, so his $7,400 price tag is a bargain for the final scrub spot on your DraftKings fantasy golf picks roster.

DraftKings Fantasy Golf Picks Roster:

1. Rickie Fowler ($10,500)
2. Zach Johnson ($9,000)
3. Ryan Palmer ($7,800)
4. Kevin Kisner ($7,700)
5. Robert Streb ($7,500)
6. Troy Merritt ($7,400)

Join the Action at DraftKings Here!

REVIEW: PGA Tour Cologne

  When I heard that the PGA Tour was releasing a cologne my immediate thought was, "This has to smell like cut grass and lakewater, right?" Much to my delight, the new PGA Tour Cologne smells nothing like either of those things and instead establishes itself as a great fragrance option for male golf fans.

Produced and distributed by Tru Fragrance, the PGA Tour Cologne is the first ever signature cologne of the professional golfer's association. The company bills it as being inspired by "the competitive, innovative and swift nature of the game." I've never thought of my cologne in terms of its 'swiftness' so I was excited to try out a bottle this past week.

At first glance -- er, sniff -- the cologne emits a clean, out-of-the-shower aroma with hints of citrus and fresh mint. There's supposed to be a smattering of 'masculine woods' in the formula as well, but I couldn't put my nose on it. The overall scent rests comfortably between too 'cheap-smelling' and something you would normally expect from a luxury cologne brand. In other words, it is quite pleasant.

At the time of this writing the PGA Tour Cologne isn't available everywhere just yet. Tournament attendees will notice the bottle in PGA Tour merchandise tents while other fans will have to purchase a bottle online. Each 3.4 fl. oz. bottle retails for $58.

How to be a Classy Drunk at a PGA Tour Event

Watching a live sporting event and drinking alcohol go together like beer and peanuts. Attending a PGA Tour event is no exception, just as long as you don’t lose your damn mind in the process. Don’t think excessive drunkenness is an issue at Tour events? Tell that to the numbskulls who stole a golf cart from Quail Hollow and drove it into – literally into – a Charlotte bar last week. Their issue wasn’t that they were overserved at the Wells Fargo Championship; it was they didn’t have proper guidance on how to behave appropriately after getting blind drunk.

Luckily for all of you, I have a Master’s degree in appropriate behavior while being inappropriately intoxicated. I’ve also gotten drunk with a PGA Tour superstar, so that makes me more than qualified to present How to Be a Classy Drunk at a PGA Tour Event.

Of course, I am nothing if not a man of the people. So I asked my friends on Twitter for their best tips on how to put "class" in "class-action lawsuit for public intoxication." As usual they did not disappoint.

The Pre-Game

Just as a proper address position and grip pressure are in a strong foundation for your golf swing, preparing your stomach for hours of alcohol abuse is critical to success.

@AdamJFonseca @PGATOUR Tequila is a nonstarter. Everyone knows a gin drunk is the classy drunk.

— Bryan McLean (@Golfbybryan) May 21, 2015

Truer words have never been spoken, friends. Drinking tequila in the morning prior to watching golf is like eating a burrito before going on a roller coaster. You'll have a ton of fun at first, but in the end you'll just shit your pants. Beer isn't the best way to start your day, either. It's filling, bitter in the morning and will fill your bladder in no time. You'll also be reserved to chugging suds at the tournament (unless you want to drop $10+ on premium liquor, you snobby sonofabitch), so take advantage of your liquor cabinet to go from Respectable to Buzzed in no time. Any clear liquor will do fine, but gin is definitely the classiest of the bunch.  

Scoping the Scene

Once you've arrived to the course -- by way of a taxi, designated driver friend, or shady Uber driver -- it's time to head straight to the nearest beer tent.  Most tournaments won't serve you until after 11am, so I highly recommend choosing a tent closest to the back nine. This way you'll be able to catch a few of the early groups making the turn while you wait for kegs to get tapped. When the Holy Hour arrives, ask what the maximum beer-per-person ratio is that day (usually it's something like "two beers per person max"), order that number, and throw in a pretzel or hot dog. BREAD IS YOUR FRIEND. The more things you have in your stomach to soak up booze, the less likely you'll be to barf on a marshal.

On-Course Behavior

Once you're nice and lubricated with a few adult beverages, chances are your inhibitions are far behind you. This is where gentlemen are separated from the lunatics.

@AdamJFonseca You can get in your cups, but don't yell or make a scene. Sit and crack jokes with your friends and enjoy the people watching. — Chris Chaney (@Wrong_Fairway) May 21, 2015

Newsflash: nobody likes the "MASHED POTATOES!!" Guy. In fact we hate him. Don't be that guy.

Ugh. This is not a new thing to shout, folks. Tournament marshals are aware of this trend and will kick you out off the course pronto. There are only two instances when it is appropriate for you and your drunk friends to scream at a Tour event:

1. You are in the stands on hole no. 16 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open
2. In the middle of Ian Poulter's golf swing (because fuck that guy)

Keep those in mind and you'll never be escorted out of a tournament. Guaranteed.

A Little Something for the Ladies

Guys aren't the only fans who can enjoy a Tour event while sauced beyond belief. Female patrons have been known to cause a ruckus on occasion as well.

@AdamJFonseca @PGATOUR Almost fell out of my chair at this. Ladies: Stick w/ wine. However, wine stains on your dress aren't fooling anyone.

— Kara Hoover (@KaraKoo) May 21, 2015

That's right ladies: just because wine is the classiest Day Drinking fuel of all, spilling it on yourself still makes you look like a moron. A wise person (who I just made up right now to make a point) once said, "Walking around in heels on a hilly golf course while drinking wine is probably not smart." We all love sociable drunks, but wine's high alcohol content makes it a slippery slope when not consumed in moderation. Be strategic, girls.

Fantasy Golf 2014: HP Byron Nelson Championship

The next PGA Tour stop this week is at the 2014 HP Byron Nelson Championship from the TPC Four Seasons Resort and Club Las Colinas in Irving, Tx. Sang-Moon Bae is your defending champion, and also a great name for a vacation destination. Martin Kaymer is the popular fantasy golf pick this week having won The Players Championship less than a week ago. He also finished in a tie for fifth at this tournament in 2013, so he should definitely find his way on your fantasy golf pick roster.

Keegan Bradley is another obvious choice this week, having finished runner-up to Bae in 2013. The fidgety Bradley has played consistently well this season and seems on the cusp of adding another trophy to his resume. He also seems to be on the brink of crapping his pants, but I digress.

Jimmy Walker is also a pick this week, and it has everything to do with the fact that he's still won three times this season. I'm also afraid that his wife, Erin, will beat me up if I don't.

@wesleywhamond @ChicagoDuffer yeah... T8 at Masters, top 10 at Players... Terrible.

— Erin Walker (@tourwifetravels) May 11, 2014

Who are your fantasy golf picks for this week? Let me know in the comments below.

Fantasy Golf 2014: RBC Heritage

The PGA Tour returns to Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, SC for this week's 2014 RBC Heritage. Graeme McDowell is your defending champion, but there are a number of other players who could be strong fantasy golf picks. Jordan Spieth, for example, returns to action after an impressive run at last weeks Masters. The 20-year old golf phenom likely has no issue settling for the tartan jacket awarded to this week's winner, and I suspect another strong week from the young man.

Matt Kuchar is also back after his strong showing at Augusta, despite having a shaky final round on Sunday. His flat swing and smooth tempo has done well at this tournament in the past, and Kuchar has only finished outside the top 25 twice in any tournament this season. Put him on your fantasy golf roster.

Bill Haas and McDowell round out my starting lineup for the week, with the former holding the 18-hole lead at last week's major and the latter being this week's defending champion.

Fantasy Golf 2014: Sony Open in Hawaii

The name of this week's PGA Tour event -- the Sony Open in Hawaii -- has always bothered me. Why do we have to designate that it's in Hawaii? Why not just the Sony Open or something similar?

Anyway, many of the players from last week's Hyundai Tournament of Champions made the short trip to Honolulu for this week's event. Zach Johnson looks to go back-to-back in Hawaii for the first time since 2003, when Ernie Els last accomplished the feat. This is a full-field event, however, so ZJ will have more competition to fend off.

Looks for Mark Wilson to play well again in this event. He won it in 2011, perhaps his best year on Tour, and seems to prefer the tight fairways and severe doglegs featured at Waialae Country Club. He's a solid fantasy golf pick this week if you're looking for a strong gamble.

Fantasy Golf Picks: 2013 Tour Championship

The 2013 PGA Tour season comes to a close this week at the Tour Championship presented by Coca-Cola. The FedExCup Champion will also be determined on Sunday, along with the newest $10 million winner in the season-long series. Tiger Woods enters the week as the FedExCup Points leader, followed by Matt Kuchar, Brandt Snedeker, Phil Mickelson and Bill Haas.

East Lake in Atlanta will once again host the Tour Championship. The venue has proven to be a tough test for the world's best players over the years, however we are sure to see some exciting golf near the home stretch.

Here are my fantasy golf picks for the 2013 Tour Championship.

Fantasy Golf Picks: 2013 BMW Championship

The PGA Tour returns to my back yard this week for the 2013 BMW Championship from Conway Farms in Lake Forest, Ill. Consider me slightly excited. Rory McIlroy is the defending champion at this event, which marks the third stage of the FedExCup Playoffs. Henrik Stenson is the current points leader slightly ahead of Tiger Woods, who has grown rather comfortable winning in the Chicago area throughout his career.

Other golfers to consider this week include Steve Stricker -- who also prefers Midwest courses -- Phil Mickelson and Chicago-resident Luke Donald.

Here are my fantasy golf picks for this week's BMW Championship.

Fantasy Golf Picks: 2013 Deutsche Bank Championship

The second round of the 2013 FedExCup Playoffs is this week as the top 100 players will tee-off at the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston. The main story for the week will be how points-leader Tiger Woods will play following his back injury last week at The Barclays. Woods still holds a slight lead over Adam Scott, but he is in danger of being dethroned should Scott produce another strong performance.

Rory McIlroy is the defending champion this week, so keep an eye on him to build off his strong performance at the PGA Championship.

Here are this week's fantasy golf picks for the 2013 Deutsche Bank Championship.

Fantasy Golf Picks: 2013 The Barclays

The first round of the 2013 FedEx Cup Playoffs starts this week at The Barclays from Liberty National in New Jersey. The majority of the world's top players will be in the field, including all four major championship winners from the season. Liberty National got a ton of flack from golfers and fans alike as the site of the US Open four years ago, but a lot of time has passed since that tournament and the course has grown into one of the finest in the country. It will undoubtedly be a challenging test for all competing, so choose your fantasy golf picks wisely.

Here are my fantasy golf picks for the 2013 The Barclays tournament.

Should the PGA Tour Acquire the European Tour?

Recently, European Tour star Paul Casey made comments about his "home" tour that raised a few eyebrows. According to Casey, the Tour is a far cry from the glitz and glam (and tournament purses) of their United States counterparts despite having a solid roster of world class players. "I agree with those people who think we have an unbelievable product, but we are so far from maximizing what we have, and we need to freshen things up," Casey told reporters earlier in the week. "It needs some new energy. This is the time for change as it's a great opportunity we're missing."

Those comments apparently reached the ears of both Euro Tour chief executive George O'Grady and PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem shortly after, prompting Finchem to declare that he had no plans to "acquire" the European Tour.

"Certain news reports have indicated that the PGA Tour has made an offer to acquire the European Tour," Finchem said in a statement. "Those reports are inaccurate.

"However, as I have stated publicly on several occasions, the integration of professional golf can create additional value for our players, sponsors and fans."

In other words, Finchem is basically stating that he had nothing to do with the rumors, but he wasn't totally against the idea they presented. You know, if you read between the lines.

All this talk certainly raises an interesting question: Should the PGA Tour actively seek to buy-out the European Tour?

On one hand, the benefits would be substantial. Sponsorship opportunities for some of the "smaller" Euro Tour events may increase once investors realize the tour is under new leadership. From a business standpoint, seeing an influx of early adopters to any change is fairly common. That could mean more dollars for European tournaments, which could also equate to more spectator attendance.

Second, we would be inching ever so closer to what I think is a phenomenal idea: a World Tour. Greg Norman and Rupert Murdoch pitched this idea almost 20 years ago to Finchem, who declined the notion with extreme prejudice. Norman and Finchem still haven't made nice since that time, but the idea of having the entire world's best players -- not just those able to compete on the PGA or Euro Tour -- is a notion that I'll support.

Lastly, if the idea of a World Tour is unappealing, PGA and Euro players may have an easier time flip-flopping from one tour to the next. I don't necessarily see that as being a bad thing. Remember when Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood chose to play primarily on the Euro side, thus forsaking their PGA Tour brethren? That wouldn't have to happen should both tours be under the same ownership.