Pardon My Take: Episode Summary – April 14, 2025

Hosted by Big Cat & PFT Commenter

1. Masters Tournament Recap

The episode kicks off with an exhilarating recap of the 2025 Masters Tournament, where Rory McIlroy triumphantly completes the Career Grand Slam by winning Augusta National. Big Cat [03:00] and PFT Commenter [05:30] delve deep into Rory's tumultuous final round, highlighting his remarkable resilience and emotional journey.

• Rory's Performance and Challenges:

  • Big Cat: “[03:53]…Rory exercised every single demon with that insanely schizophrenic final 18 because he went… I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone more relieved, happy to win a golf tournament than Rory McIlroy when he won the Masters.”
  • Hank: “[05:30] Rory might be his own biggest hater. That’s why I’m kind of okay with how it turned out. Rory loves to choke himself out.”

• Emotional Rollercoaster:

  • The hosts discuss Rory’s fluctuating performance, marked by six birdies, three bogeys, and two double bogeys [03:53], illustrating his capacity to "choke and then unchoke" under immense pressure.

• Scott Van Pelt’s Observations:

  • Scott Van Pelt joins live from Augusta [92:03], providing insights into Rory's mental state. He notes, “[95:50]…what he was trying to process in real time…It was like a boulder on his back.”

• Caddies and Markers at Augusta:

  • The role of the marker, Michael McDermott, is highlighted [29:12], emphasizing his discreet yet crucial presence on the course. The conversation touches on previous markers like Jeff Knox and their interactions with top players.

• Notable Moments:

  • Shot on 15: Rory’s dramatic chip shot from the water hazard is lauded as “a shot of a lifetime” [107:40].
  • Final Putt: The tension surrounding Rory's final putt is dissected, with PFT Commenter reflecting on the psychological weight Rory carries [95:50].

2. NBA Playoffs Set

Transitioning from golf to basketball, Big Cat and Hank discuss the NBA Playoffs' seeding and their predictions.

• Eastern Conference Highlights:

  • Big Cat: “[37:53] The Cavs are the one seed… Celtics are the two seed…”
  • Hank: Expresses skepticism about the playoff format, labeling it a “ploy” by team owners [40:38].

• Western Conference Insights:

  • Discussion includes teams like the Thunder, Warriors, Grizzlies, Lakers, and Clippers [43:19].
  • Big Cat: “[46:13] Jokic sealed a triple-double for the season… He said it’s nice. Pretty close.”

• Playoff Predictions:

  • Hank: “The Mavericks at 39 and 43 could get in over a 48 and 34 team. You played 82 games. It’s stupid.”
  • Memes: Hopes for a Mavericks run, “that would be very, very funny to see.”

• Notable Player Performances:

  • Nikola Jokic: Achieves another triple-double, although doubts remain about his MVP chances due to Stephen A. Smith's popularity and voter fatigue [44:58].
  • LeBron James: Critiqued for unprofessional behavior during warm-ups, sparking discussions on NBA standards [46:20].

3. Who's Back of the Week

The segment “Who’s Back of the Week” spotlights returning figures making waves in their respective sports.

• Patty the Baddie:

  • Highlighted for his improved fighting skills and disciplined training regimen [66:38].
  • Memes: “He’s got so much improvement… He was ripped when first introduced.”

• Dunk Contest Anticipation:

  • Announcement of upcoming dunk contests featuring office members [68:15].
  • Memes: “We have flyers coming in the office. It’s going to be exciting.”

4. Monday Reading

Big Cat introduces a “Monday Reading” segment, sharing excerpts from John Grisham’s novel The Reckoning [26:57].

• Book Highlight:
  • An excerpt describing Pete Banning contemplating a fateful decision, underscoring themes of courage and consequence.

5. Funny and Personal Anecdotes

The hosts share personal experiences and humorous stories, adding a relatable and entertaining layer to the episode.

• Kidney Stones:

  • Both Big Cat and Hank recount their painful encounters with kidney stones, detailing the excruciating symptoms and hospital experiences [73:00].
  • Hank: “[73:08]…picked up by the urologist and figured it will all work its way out.”

• Interaction with Scott Van Pelt:

  • PFT Commenter discusses his friendship with Scott Van Pelt, highlighting shared moments and mutual respect [99:28].

6. Advertisements and Sponsor Segments

Throughout the episode, brief advertisements are interspersed, promoting services like Game Time for NBA tickets, Stella Blue Coffee, Battle Bars, Rollback.com, and TaxAct. These segments are seamlessly integrated without disrupting the content flow.

• Notable Ads:
  • DraftKings: Promoted during the Masters discussion [02:57].
  • Game Time App: Highlighted for securing NBA playoff tickets [37:53].
  • Stella Blue Coffee & Battle Bars: Featured in health and lifestyle promos [38:56].

7. Closing Remarks and Future Outlook

In the concluding segments, the hosts reflect on Rory McIlroy's victory and speculate on his future performances, likening his success to breaking free from past pressures.

• Rory’s Future Prospects:

  • Big Cat: “[112:40]…if he's going to do it one way, I'd rather this than having him win by six strokes and have it be a laugher.”
  • PFT Commenter: Believes Rory is poised for continued success without the burden of near-misses [97:26].

• Upcoming Events:

  • Anticipation builds for future Masters tournaments and potential interviews with Scott Van Pelt [124:04].

Notable Quotes:

• Big Cat [03:53]: "Rory exercised every single demon with that insanely schizophrenic final 18… he did it."
• Hank [05:30]: "Rory might be his own biggest hater. That’s why I’m kind of okay with how it turned out."
• PFT Commenter [95:50]: "When you're in a group with people that are in black and white pictures that are gone from this earth… that’s the club."
• Scott Van Pelt [92:03]: "It was like a boulder on his back… he's carrying this around for more than 14 years."

Conclusion

This episode of "Pardon My Take" delivered a comprehensive and engaging overview of Rory McIlroy's monumental Masters win, intertwined with insightful analysis of the NBA Playoffs and personal anecdotes from the hosts. The dynamic interplay between Big Cat and PFT Commenter, coupled with live insights from Scott Van Pelt, provided listeners with a rich and entertaining sports narrative that balances expert commentary with relatable humor.