The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 1 (August 25, 2025)

Brief Overview

In this episode, Dan and the crew discuss Tommy Fleetwood’s long-awaited first PGA Tour victory, lessons (and hype traps) from the NFL preseason, and share reactions to college football’s opening weekend. Blending sports insight with signature humor and banter, the team explores storylines that stood out, including the performance of rookie quarterbacks, slow play in golf, and the evolving college football playoff format. Special guests and listener call-ins add color to a lively hour.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Tommy Fleetwood's Breakthrough PGA Win

• The Narrative: After years of close calls and high expectations, Tommy Fleetwood finally clinched his first PGA Tour win in dramatic fashion.
  • "Part of me wanted to see Scotty Scheffler put a little pressure on him, but we've seen what happened. When there's been pressure on Tommy Fleetwood, it usually doesn't end well. But he finally got his first PGA win, and it's a big one." — Dan (07:31)
• Rooting for the Underdog: Dan and the gang express collective joy for Fleetwood, who has “stood up and answered tough questions after losses,” unlike some peers.
  • "When he's lost, he's talked to the media... Fans are the ones who want to understand what happened, they're rooting for you. I think you owe it to the media or the fans." — Dan (21:01)
  • Comparing Fleetwood’s grace in defeat to Bill Buckner and Mitch Williams, both of whom faced the media after infamous failures.
• The Financial Upswing:
  • "Tommy Fleetwood has been on the PGA Tour for 11 years. He made $24 million his first 10 years. Yesterday, made $10 million." — Paulie (24:25)
• Fleetwood’s Support System: Dan expresses interest in interviewing Fleetwood, particularly about the role his wife has played through tough times.

Notable/Funny Moments

• Fritzi almost jinxes Fleetwood by suggesting they invite him on mid-round (25:50).
• The crew jokes about Fleetwood’s “blue eyes” and “great hair” (21:30).

2. NFL Preseason: Takeaways and Cautions

• Main Message: Don’t take preseason results too seriously.
  • "With preseason, it's about evaluation, not prophecy. It feels like we want to project now. We got it all figured out, man." — Dan (11:08)
• Rookie Quarterbacks’ Hurdles:
  • Review of performances: Shadour Sanders (holds the ball too long, not ready), Dylan Gabriel (quicker release, impressive), Jackson Dart (potential, still developing).
    • "This isn't going to be a referendum on Shadour Sanders, but...he holds onto the ball longer than any quarterback in preseason because you're waiting to make a play. You have to take your losses, you have to get rid of the football." — Dan (13:43)
  • Discussion of coaching philosophies and habits rookies need to unlearn when transitioning from college to pro.
    • Incorporates Brady Quinn’s analysis: Young QBs “rule out one side of the field” instantly due to bad habits (12:50).
  • Speculation on Browns’ coaching tactics: Did Stefanski bench Sanders to see his reaction? (15:00)
• Preseason as Misdirection:
  • The urge for fans and pundits to “be the first” to call breakout players leads to overreactions (16:30).
  • Roster cuts and the real season are the true test.

3. Golf’s Slow Play – The Patrick Cantlay Conundrum

• Poll Question: Which is a bigger problem, slow play in golf or baseball?
  • "Patrick Cantlay—just hit the freaking ball...My TV froze. I'm watching Patrick Cantlay and I go, 'Oh, damn, my TV froze.' It didn't." — Dan (19:22)
• Annoyance for Fans & Camera Crews:
  • Jeff, a golf cameraman, calls in: "There's nothing worse than being...in your viewfinder waiting for him to hit that ball." (46:46)
  • Quick players like Dustin Johnson and Ludwig Aberg get love for keeping things moving.
• Rhythm and Routine: Dan urges, "Get up there, set up quick...Pull the trigger."

4. College Football: Opening Weekend and Playoff Expansion

• Early Action: Shout-outs to Iowa State, Hawaii (Hawai‘i), UNLV, and a memorable Hawaii-Stanford finish (08:02, 39:43).
• Playoff Format Concerns:
  • "If they go to 14 or 16, Notre Dame will never join a conference...If you lose two games, you're still going to make the playoff, depending on who you lose to." — Dan (38:05)
  • Warns against making the college football postseason too much like college basketball, diluting the regular season’s stakes.
  • "I almost used the word 'integrity.' My bad, my bad...I hope they can prevent themselves [from over-expanding]." — Dan (38:50)
  • Importance of strength of schedule over automatic qualifiers.

5. Language, Pronunciation, and Fun with "Hawai‘i"

• The crew debates the proper pronunciation of “Hawai‘i,” highlighting cultural respect and humor.
  • Paulie: "The W is pronounced V, like victor...So it's Ha-vai-i." (41:15)
  • Seaton: "I once took a flight from Hawaii to Budapest, and it was lovely." (42:45)

6. Listener Engagement – Call-ins and Banter

• Caller Stories: Celebrating a listener’s engagement, long-distance birthday wishes to South Korea, discussions of golf broadcasting, Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers stories, and horse racing at Saratoga.
• Favorite Call-in Quote:
  • Buddha from SF on Tommy Fleetwood: “Best of the weekend, Dan. I found myself explaining to Lady Buddha who Fairway Jesus is…Kinda looked like Jesus out there playing golf. And I was like, you know what? Never mind. I’m just happy for him.” (48:27)

7. Heartfelt Segment: Remembering Passed Loved Ones

• Poll Question: Do you keep numbers of people who passed on your phone? (~56:30)
  • Dan candidly discusses the comfort he finds in still texting his late mom and friends.
    • "I text my mom occasionally. I could just imagine what her response would be." — Dan
  • Fritzi gets philosophical/sensitive about social media memorialization.
  • 74% of listeners (at poll time) say they also keep those numbers.

8. Sports Notes

• Stat of the Day (24:50): Fleetwood’s earnings; play of the day spotlighting Cal Raleigh’s record-breaking HR as a catcher (01:03:04).
• Shohei Ohtani’s Home Run:
  • Ohtani heckled, answers with a 45th HR: “How you like that?” (01:06:05)
• Deferred Contracts:
  • Ken Griffey Jr., Bobby Bonilla, and Shohei Ohtani’s wild future payouts get a humorous shout.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "With preseason, it's about evaluation, not prophecy." — Dan (11:08)
• "Tommy Fleetwood stands up and says exactly how he feels. What happened. And I think that is admirable." — Dan (21:01)
• "Just hit the freaking ball...Nothing good happens, I don't think, when you wait that long." — Dan on Cantlay (18:57)
• "There's nothing worse than being out there...about to fall asleep in your viewfinder waiting for him to hit that ball." — Jeff, golf cameraman (46:46)
• "I almost used the word integrity. My bad, my bad." — Dan, on college football playoff expansion (38:40)
• "I once took a flight from Hawaii to Budapest, and it was lovely." — Seaton (42:45)
• "I text my mom occasionally. I could just imagine what her response would be." — Dan (56:45)
• "Fairway Jesus." — How listeners describe Tommy Fleetwood (48:27)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Fleetwood’s win; Barkley gambling anecdote: 07:00–10:30
• NFL Preseason Lessons and QB Analysis: 11:00–18:30
• Poll: Slow Play in Golf/Baseball: 18:35–24:00
• Fleetwood’s Character and Banter: 21:00–27:00
• College Football Playoff Take: 38:00–40:00
• Pronunciation of “Hawai‘i” Skit: 41:00–43:00
• Listener Call-ins: 44:00–50:30
• Discussion: Keeping Phone Numbers of the Deceased: 56:00–61:00
• Play of the Day – Cal Raleigh HR: 63:00
• Shohei Ohtani HR/Heckler: 66:00

Summary Flow and Listener Value

This episode mixes sharp sports commentary with the familiar “DP Show” camaraderie. Listeners are treated not just to hot takes on trending sports stories, but also to relatable life topics—like coping with loss, rooting for the underdog, and the joys and quirks of fandom. Dan’s nuanced approach to preseason hype, the heartfelt Fleetwood victory coverage, and the community feel from the call-ins offer both substance and connection, making the episode rewarding for sports fans and casual listeners alike.