← The Herd with Colin Cowherd
The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Colin Cowherd Podcast - Kevin Na: Leaving PGA For The LIV Tour, The Next Tiger, Phil Mickelson’s Evolution
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- [00:00]
Ebony
This is an iHeart podcast.
- [00:05]
Katie Couric
On the latest episode of Next Question with me, Katie Couric. I sat down with Jasmine Crockett, Democratic representative of Texas. She's holding down the fort for her party in one of the most conservative states in the union.
- [00:18]
Ebony
I think that ultimately who will become the Democratic nominee for president will be someone that has been out there and has shown that they won't allow themselves to be punched and just say thank you like they will punch back.
- [00:31]
Katie Couric
Listen to Next Question with me, Katie Couric on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [00:40]
Ebony
Welcome to Pretty Private with ebony, the podcast where silence is broken and stories are set free. I'm Ebony and every Tuesday I'll be sharing all new anonymous stories that would challenge your perceptions and give you new insight on the people around you. Every Tuesday, make sure you listen to Pretty Private from the Black Effect Podcast Network. Tune in on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.
- [01:08]
Katie Couric
Your entire identity has been fabricated. Your beloved brother goes missing without a trace. You discover the depths of your mother's illness. I'm Dani Shapiro and these are just a few of the powerful stories I'll be mining on our upcoming 12th season of Family Secrets. We continue to be moved and inspired by our guests and their courageously told stories. Listen to Family Secrets Season 12 on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [01:39]
Angela Rye
Who cares about truth when the lie's more entertaining?
- [01:41]
Ebony
Welcome home. I'm Angela Rye, co host of the Native Lampod with Andrew Gillum and Tiffany Cross, and we want y' all to survive and thrive in this political moment.
- [01:49]
Kevin Na
We're having the same debates that American households are having all over the country.
- [01:53]
Ebony
I am terrified that in our we're going to miss the moment. You want me to stop resting? What specifically are you asking me to do? Stay informed and take action.
- [02:03]
Angela Rye
Listen to Native Land pod on the.
- [02:05]
Kevin Na
Iheartradio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [02:11]
Angela Rye
The Volume well, Liv, golf is redefining how golf is experienced and enjoyed. Supercharging the sport across the globe with innovations and team competition. A really electrifying event and an atmosphere that welcomes fans from all backgrounds. It's the F1 of golf, a truly unique event. Stars come out for a celebration of sport, entertainment and culture played in some of the world's most iconic venues. So in addition to world class golf, you get a festival off the course. Incredible food, live music and A fan village pack with games and challenges for young and old. It's all on the line when LIV Golf comes to Chicago's Bolingbroke Golf Club. I'll be there. August 8th through the 10th. Players will be fighting for places at both ends of the individual standings, while the US Players have another chance to push for Ryder cup selections. That's big, too. So it's a chance to see 54 of the game's best players at Bolingbrook Golf Club, a course that's open to the public. I'll be there. This marks another major step forward in LIV Golf's commitment to build the more inclusive, accessible game of golf. It's a can't miss experience. Grab your tickets@livegolf.com that's L I V Golf. Or if you can't make it this time, you can follow every shot live and exclusively on Fox Sports. Well, the LIV Tour makes its stop in Chicago, just part of the journey of LIV and its unique style and its popularity. And anybody that listens to me knows that I have supported the live Tour from the beginning. I never loved the way the PGA Tour, which was officially a charity, treated some of its golfers. And I had said for years that Greg Normans and Phil Mickelson's had verbally come out and said they were disappointed. And so when they left, I supported them and still do. Kevin Na also made that decision. And you know, when I defended LIV golfers, one of the things I said was, you know, these guys grew up wanting to be on the PTA Tour. They dreamt of the US Open in Pebble beach and the Masters. So this was a hard decision. A lot of people looked at the dollars and said, well, it's easy. No, when you have a dream and you land it, it's hard to separate you from that dream. Do you remember, Kevin, the day, the week, the car ride, when you and your family decided, I'm going to leave the PGA Tour. And do you remember the emotional moment of that, the epiphany?
- [04:51]
Kevin Na
Yes, I do. It wasn't an easy decision. I thought about it for. For weeks. I dis. Discussed it with my team, my family, and you know, I even had a talk with Jay Monahan before I left. Like I literally called him, you know, with, with the paper when I had the offer and I had the contract and I weighed a bunch of options. But at the time, there were some of the things that some of the players would have, would. Wanted to see change in the PGA Tour, the direction the PGA Tour wanted to Go. And none of those things were happening. And when this, the lead was forming and the offers were going out, and it was a great opportunity for me because I played the PGA Tour for 19 years, and I loved every minute of it, and I was grateful to be there. I enjoyed it. It was a great platform for me to play, and I'm grateful and thankful. But when this opportunity came along to play this team style with individual team play around the world, and at the same time, you know, have some security. Not that I didn't with PGA Tour, you know, I was pretty successful out there as well, but it felt like it was a new challenge, and I was, it was exciting and, And a lot of the great names of the game, of the golf, were joining, and I, I, I wanted to be a part of it. I wanted to be a part of this new adventure, and that's the reason why I made the job.
- [06:16]
Angela Rye
Yeah. And I. And I think, you know, it's. It's something to remember the word globalization. You grew up in California of Korean descent. You grew up in California. You're a global citizen to some degree. My mom's from England. We all are or d. Descendants of it. But we see this with all businesses. And I know as I've aged and experienced travel, I love the idea of every. I love the idea of traveling. I love the idea. I've. I've moved to six different companies. When you go to the live tour, was there anxiety? Were there nerves? Take me to your first six months. This is a whole. It's like a new job for you.
- [07:00]
Kevin Na
Yeah, it was different. The biggest change I felt was the music was so easy for me. I really enjoy the music on a golf court. That part I have no issues with. What was a bit of a transition and it took me a little bit to get adjusted to, was the shotgun starting. Starting on a random hole. You know, there's a flow of that golf course, right? You start on one or 10, you know, and you know where you're at, you know, like some of the holes, the stretch, you got to take advantage of some of the holes. You kind of have to be, you know, you know, you want. Pars are good. That kind of disappeared. And so that part was a bit. Bit awkward in the beginning. I got used to it now. But besides that, it was cool to travel around the world and to see, like, look, I played the Open, I played in Korea, Asia. But to go around the world and all these golf fans come out and say, you know, to come root for you, come watch you and tell me, asking people in the crowd say, hey Kevin, I want to see you walk in a pot. You know, like, things like that. It was, it was pretty cool to go different corners of the world and to play in front of the crowd and for them to see, you know, the big names of golf like Brooks, DJ Phil, all these guys, Bryson, you know, for them to, to see those guys in different parts of the world where before when everybody played the PG Tour, it was very rare that we all got together and played in different parts of the world. So I think that was very cool experience. And, and, and we, we can see that the fans are welcoming us in different parts of world, enjoying us watching and that's, it's a rewarding feeling.
- [08:31]
Angela Rye
You know, I think they're initially, and like any change in life, there's animosity. People don't like change in America. 40% of Americans never live outside of the area code they were born in. Isn't that crazy? So, so when there was change, I remember going on the air and saying, yeah, there's going to be some animosity, there's going to be some emotion with it. Did you, do you think that's dissipated over the last year, that that initial shock is now. Well, I can watch the shambo at this tournament. I can watch Kevin Na here is that there's a realization that this is what's happening in all business.
- [09:12]
Kevin Na
Yeah, I think in the beginning, you know, like you said, people are not comfortable with change. And when we were making this chump, you know, the PG Tour, a lot of the media, you know, they said it's not going to happen, they're going to fold in six months, four months, you know, it's never going to last. But we've, the league has proven that we're sticking around and you know, and when the, our players, you know, Brooks won a major, Bryson won a major, when, you know, playing live and we're, and these guys are still playing well in major championships and showing good performance and watching us grow, they're starting to realize that we're not building, we're sticking around. And at the same time, when the PGA Tour is asking for investment from pif, then, you know, all those, you know, attacks of towards the players that made the first jump is kind of, it's been silenced a little bit.
- [10:09]
Angela Rye
Yeah. So I have to ask you, I, I, I, I told my wife, you have three kids, you're married, three kids. So family and golf, I, I felt live gave you an opportunity perhaps to golf a little less More time with family. And my take is if people are happier at home, they're more productive people. It's just a better way to live that. And by the way, before you left the live tour, PGA golfers today had it easier than PGA golfers 40 years ago. So I mean, everything changes. Tell me a course that maybe isn't talked about a lot globally that you love. If I said, Kevin, give me your favorite course, that I would never guess and why.
- [10:54]
Kevin Na
Hong Kong Golf Club. Amazing Hong Kong Golf Club that's been around forever. It's an old style golf course. I think it's an amazing golf course. I, every time I go there, I think the city is amazing, I think the golf course is amazing, I think the fans are amazing. Obviously Korea, first time playing it this year. The Jack and the Golf Club is a pretty good golf course, but I'm a little biased because of my current descent and I love going to these Asian countries and playing. You know, me obviously being Asian, you know, the Asians fans are going to, you know, feel like a bit more of a home crowd. And speaking of families, you know, in the past few years we've taken, it's hard to travel with three kids internationally, but we've taken one or two and at times at three to these different countries. And I was able to show my kids different parts of the world at a young age and I think that's very, very cool. And for them to, you know, to learn different cultures, to experience and I think it really opens their eyes to, to the world. Right? And I, and we really enjoy that experience. And honestly, like, I'll be honest, like I've never been happier at home on and my golf game honestly hasn't been that great. I feel like in the last few rounds that something is clicking. I, I think I'm gonna, I'm, I'm about to go on a good run of golf. But look at home, I'm, I'm, I'm home more often for my kids. I get to travel the world with my family. Look, looking back at it now, I think it was a great decision. I've talked about this with my wife and have we. Do we when we go back two and a half, three years ago, we go back, we had a time machine. Would we make the same decision? And the answer is yes.
- [12:34]
Angela Rye
The I, I've, I've always believed that unless you're a golfer. And I've started playing a lot in the last three years as I've got a little bit more time, I've got A lot more gray hair. And I think when the grayer your hair gets, the more golf grabs into me. And I've always felt an underrated part of golf is that when you guys are playing in the summer in parts of the globe, it's incredibly hot and it's midday and it's day after day after day. Has there been a. An event on the PGA or the live tour where you thought to yourself, I hope people realize I'm a real athlete here, because I could fall apart? I mean, there, there are moments watching you guys, and I'm like, I could see Phil Mickelson. I'm like, phil looks tired. Do you. Do you think that's an underrated part of even your live tour? You go to Hong Kong a lot of your. You're playing in the, sometimes the steamiest of weather.
- [13:39]
Kevin Na
Oh, yeah. I mean, Singapore is extremely hot. I remember PG Tour, they played in Malaysia. Extremely hot. Dallas this year we played in, you know.
- [13:46]
Angela Rye
Oh, Dallas was rough.
- [13:48]
Kevin Na
It was rough. And, you know, we travel. We went from Saudi Arabia to Australia. We went from Mexico City to Seoul. I mean, and, and literally we, we have a 20 hour travel day. And as soon as we land, if it's during the day, in the morning we go straight to the golf course, we start practicing. That's not easy to do. And your time zones are all off. But we're on this, you know, we get up in the morning, we spent all day on the golf course, we train, we practice. You know, I mean, we might. We may not look like an athlete, but we are.
- [14:23]
Angela Rye
I've always loved Phil Mickelson. And I read a. I don't think there's a book about him. I don't think he loves the book, but I loved him more when I read the book because he's so unapologetic, Unapologetically Phil Mickelson. And there was a point in his life he probably. He probably ate a little too much. He was a little more obnoxious with tour members. Mickelson's a character and. But what I love about him, he leans into it now. Now you're getting the older, more mature, wiser Phil Mickelson. Have you watched him? I guess. Have you seen the change in Phil in the last 20 years when you've been around him? Ever played with him, played against him? Have you seen it?
- [15:07]
Kevin Na
Yeah, I've seen skinny Phil, fat pill, gambling Phil, drinking Phil. Look, he's been nothing but great to me. The first time I played with him, I was 21 years old. We Played in the final group. That's the first time I played the final group at Phoenix Open. He ended up winning the tournament. I finished second. And he's been nothing but great to him. You can always go, go to him, ask for any advice whether it's golf, game, life, anything, anything you want. He would give you his time, his sincerity. He's been nothing but great. I think he is the same way right now to all the younger kids out here. I think he's a great leader. Like whether I don't not obviously, you know, you can't please everybody but a lot of the people out here respect him and I personally respect him and I'm a big fan of Phil and I think what he's done for the game of golf we had to be thankful for.
- [16:03]
Angela Rye
And I also think sometimes, you know, I say this all the time. I was not mature enough at 22, 23 to be like a professional quarterback in the NFL, you know, the leader of a billion dollar franchise. You guys are not on a team necessarily, although you are the iron heads on the live tour now. But Bryson Dhamble is a fascinating guy. I didn't love him when he came out. I didn't like him all, you know, the 13 pieces of bacon, the nine protein shakes. I'm like, this feels like he's selling me something. It's too obnoxious. He pivoted over the last two years. I find him incredibly likable now. And I, and I, and I go back to he was young. Yeah, he was a good looking, big testosterone. Have you noticed his personality? He fee, he feels a little humbled, a little more, a little wiser. But I find him now incredibly likable. And I didn't four years ago.
- [17:01]
Kevin Na
I always joke to him, I was like, look, I was nice to you before you became a big star and before you were likable. I always liked him from day one. You know, I remember talking to him before when he wasn't playing so good and you know, when he was doing the side straddle and I would come talk to him about on the putting green and what his theories were and I played with him in a QBE team play Shark shootout. What year was this? I can't even remember. 2017 or 18, whatever it was. We teamed up, we finished third. When I, I got to know him pretty well then, how he played the game and what his, you know, all these calculations that he made and it was, it was fascinating. I mean he would calculate putts off the, off the green from what the fairies were running at stem and then from the green on to the hole that how many feet that is and that stamp. And he would. With the slope. And he would say, this putt's playing 47ft. And he did it and hit it like perfect speed or make it. And it was incredible. But I think people got to know him and watched him mature and grow up and. And became this likable, interesting character. And we need more characters like that in the golf game, whether you like him or not. I think most people do like him. He's. He's an interesting guy. And what he's done with his body and his game, the transformation that he's gone through, it's incredible. And he's an incredibly talented player. I. I always enjoyed my conversations with him. But look, you know, when you're 21, 22, and you're a millionaire and, you know, you have the world by its. You know. You know, it's a little bit of growing.
- [18:34]
Angela Rye
Sure.
- [18:34]
Kevin Na
I bet I was the same way when I was younger. You know, I turned pro at 17 and got on the tour when I was 20. You know, when you're 20, and. But you need a little bit of that to. To make it. So I think if you kind of look at that and get to understand the guy and get to understand the players, I mean, we're. No, we're much better than football and other sports. I mean, we're much more mature and more well behaved, I'd say. But it's. I think we. We watched him grow up.
- [19:03]
Angela Rye
Yeah. You went straight to the pros at 17 years old. Finally, there's. There's a legendary piece of footage. I'm talking to Kevin Na. About you and Tiger woods when your speed play after you hit the putt, and he does the same thing. Tiger. There's only two athletes in my lifetime, Tiger woods and Michael Jordan, that literally changed how I watch tv. I would cancel stuff on a Sunday to watch Tiger Woods.
- [19:30]
Kevin Na
Yeah.
- [19:30]
Angela Rye
Do you think they'll. Was it. You know, it was sort of. It wasn't obviously pre Internet, but it was pre tik tok. Golf felt those games, felt those tournaments with Tiger. It just felt like otherworldly. You think golf will ever have that again?
- [19:48]
Kevin Na
Yeah, I think so. I think Bryson is as close as to the, you know, the excitement. I think Rory's pretty exciting. I think Rom's pretty exciting. And Joaquin's becoming that player as well.
- [19:59]
Angela Rye
Yeah.
- [19:59]
Kevin Na
I think there's different characters of the game that bring that kind of energy. Obviously, Tiger was, you Know, his dominating in his, you know, his power and he's blowing the field away and, you know, even though he's four back with nine to play, you're like, oh, he's gonna win. You know, he's gonna go on this crazy run. And I remember watching as a kid and I'm, I mean, you know, being a fan of Tiger, it's incredible. I mean, but I think there are characters that can follow his footsteps or become maybe not that Tiger woods icon level, but, you know, up close to that level and we can have three or four guys kind of equal Tiger, you know what I mean? But I think golf has become more, more entertaining, more exciting than before back in 90s. I grew up watching golf, you know, in the 90s, you know, and you know, I became a pro in the early 2000 and I, I played all these with these guys on the Senior Tour that's playing now. And I think golf has become more entertaining. I mean, there's more characters of the game. I mean, you got, you know, Bryson that bombs in, cuts corners. You got Rory also, you know, Scotty Shuffle getting arrested. I mean, there's, I think it's entertaining. I mean, you know, we have some John Daly, you know, the, you know, the former John Dailies of the guys right now. Look, I, I think golf is in a good place except this division. I think once this we find a way to get the players back together more often, I think, I think golf is going to go up another level.
- [21:35]
Angela Rye
Yeah, I hope so. Kevin. Na. A pleasure to talk to you. I love your stories. I'll be rooting for you and thank you so much for taking time.
- [21:42]
Kevin Na
Thanks, Colin. Thanks for having me on.
- [21:46]
Angela Rye
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- [23:07]
Katie Couric
Episode of Next Question with Me, Katie Couric. I sat down with Jasmine Crockett, Democratic representative of Texas. She's holding down the fort for her party in one of the most conservative states in the union.
- [23:19]
Ebony
I think that ultimately who will become the Democratic nominee for president will be someone that has been out there and has shown that they won't allow themselves to be punched and just say thank you like they will punch back.
- [23:33]
Katie Couric
Listen to Next Question with me, Katie Couric on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [23:42]
Ebony
Welcome to Pretty Private with ebony, the podcast where silence is broken and stories are set free. I'm ebony, and every Tuesday I'll be sharing all new anonymous stories that would challenge your perceptions and give you new insight on the people around you. Every Tuesday, make sure you listen to Pretty Private from the Black Effect podcast Network. Tune in on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.
- [24:10]
Katie Couric
Your entire identity has been fabricated. Your beloved brother goes missing without a trace. You discover the depths of your mother's illness. I'm Dani Shapiro, and these are just a few of the powerful stories I'll be mining on our upcoming 12th season of Family Secrets. We continue to be moved and inspired by our guests and their courageously told stories. Listen to Family Secrets Season 12 on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [24:40]
Angela Rye
Who cares about truth when the lie's more entertaining?
- [24:43]
Ebony
Welcome home. I'm Angela Rye, co host of the Native Lampod with Andrew Gillum and Tiffany Cross, and we want y' all to survive and thrive in this political moment.
- [24:51]
Kevin Na
We're having the same debates that American households are having all over the country.
- [24:54]
Ebony
I am terrified that in our rest, we're going to miss the moment. You want me to stop resting. What specifically are you asking, asking me to do? Stay informed and take action.
- [25:05]
Angela Rye
Listen to Native Land Pod on the.
- [25:07]
Kevin Na
Iheartradio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [25:11]
Ebony
This is an iHeart podcast.