Colonial Recap, PGA TOUR Champions Talk & NCAA Men’s Championship Preview | 5 Clubs

Colonial Recap, PGA TOUR Champions Talk & NCAA Men’s Championship Preview | 5 Clubs

Gary Williams opens the week by recapping Russell Henley’s victory at Colonial, where the six-time PGA TOUR winner delivered a clutch finish to earn another trophy and continue one of the steadiest careers in professional golf. Gary also looks ahead to a busy stretch on the golf calendar, including the Memorial Tournament, the U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera Country Club, and a dramatic final day at the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship. Zach Johnson, 12-time PGA TOUR winner and two-time major champion, joins alongside Stewart Cink to discuss their impressive starts on PGA TOUR Champions and what it takes to remain competitive after turning 50. Johnson shares his perspective on confidence, preparation, and the motivation that continues to fuel him, while also offering his thoughts on the PGA TOUR’s evolving competitive structure and what makes professional golf unique. Stewart Cink, Open Championship winner and eight-time PGA TOUR winner, reflects on his transition to PGA TOUR Champions, the lessons he learned during his early experiences on the circuit, and why managing expectations became a key part of his success. Cink also discusses the importance of creating opportunities for emerging stars and why upward mobility remains essential to the future of professional golf. Steve Burkowski, Golf Channel analyst and college golf expert, joins Gary from La Costa to preview a pivotal day at the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship. Burkowski breaks down the race for the individual title, including Oklahoma State’s Preston Stout and Auburn’s Jackson Koivun, while also examining the tightly contested battle for the final match-play spots. He explains why this year’s championship could produce one of the most exciting finishes in recent NCAA golf history.

PGA TOUR Schedule Shakeups, LIV Questions & Rory’s Legacy | Josh Carpenter & Damon Hack | 5 Clubs

PGA TOUR Schedule Shakeups, LIV Questions & Rory’s Legacy | Josh Carpenter & Damon Hack | 5 Clubs

Gary Williams opens the show by diving into the current PGA TOUR landscape as the FedEx Cup standings begin to take shape, highlighting who looks locked into East Lake, who still has work to do, and what the future structure of professional golf could look like. Gary also reacts to the latest Sports Emmy results, discusses the growing conversation around “track one” and “track two” PGA TOUR events, and previews the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial. Josh Carpenter, senior writer for Sports Business Journal, joins Gary to break down the reported PGA TOUR schedule changes coming in 2027 and beyond. Carpenter explains the potential impact of moving signature events around the calendar, how the Florida swing could look very different, and why the TOUR’s proposed “track one” and “track two” system is already creating concern among players, agents, and tournament officials. The conversation also touches on LIV Golf’s financial future, possible format changes, and how the TOUR is trying to create scarcity around its biggest events. Damon Hack, co-host of Golf Today and longtime golf writer, joins Gary for a wide-ranging conversation on the biggest storylines in golf. Damon shares how he would frame the legacies of Rory McIlroy and Aaron Rai if writing their defining career stories today, discusses Bryson DeChambeau’s uncertain direction between YouTube content and competitive golf, and explains why Luke Donald’s Ryder Cup captaincy has become one of the great accidental success stories in sports. The conversation also explores the significance of iconic championship venues like Shinnecock Hills, Oakmont, Pebble Beach, and Riviera ahead of another major championship stretch in golf.