Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – LIVE From The LIV Tour!

Episode Details:

• Title: Colin Cowherd Podcast - LIVE From The LIV Tour! LIV vs. PGA Tour, Shedeur Sanders Debut, Mickelson Is The Fan Favorite, Bryson vs. Brooks Rivalry
• Release Date: August 9, 2025
• Host: Colin Cowherd
• Produced by: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

1. Live from the LIV Golf Event in Chicago [02:18 – 27:59]

Colin Cowherd and his co-host John Middelkoff take listeners live from the Bolingbroke Country Club in the Chicago suburbs, where the LIV Golf event is in full swing. They describe the venue as a vibrant departure from traditional golf tournaments, emphasizing its energetic and party-like atmosphere.

Colin Cowherd [03:09]: "This. The vibe here, the energy is unlike. This is more like, I don't know, an SEC football game or something."

John notes the significant crowd size, comparing the event's energy to major sporting events, highlighting its appeal to a younger and more diverse audience.

John Middelkoff [03:26]: "The vibe here for sure. But they... it is a big crowd."

2. LIV Golf vs. PGA Tour [03:30 – 15:05]

The discussion delves into how LIV Golf is innovating within the sport to attract a younger demographic. Colin draws parallels to changes in other sports, such as baseball's pitch clock, suggesting that similar tweaks in golf could rejuvenate its appeal.

Colin Cowherd [04:29]: "People pushed back on the pitch clock. Well, the minute they did it, the sports attendance and ratings went up."

John emphasizes the importance of star power in LIV Golf, mentioning prominent players like Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, and Sergio Garcia, who bring significant fan bases and media attention to the tournaments.

John Middelkoff [05:24]: "But they got a lot of... Sergio Garcia won the Masters. You know, Patrick Reed won the Masters."

3. Phil Mickelson: Fan Favorite and Legacy [10:05 – 22:00]

A substantial portion of the conversation centers around Phil Mickelson, regarded as the event's most popular golfer. Colin and John discuss his enduring legacy, athletic prowess, and personal charisma that endears him to fans.

Colin Cowherd [11:51]: "Phil now is not yet Greg Norman, but it kind of feels like he's a businessman."

John compares Phil to legends like Arnold Palmer and Peyton Manning, highlighting his ability to connect with fans and maintain relevance in the sport despite his age.

John Middelkoff [21:40]: "He's easily one of the top seven, eight golfers in the history of the sport. And he's, to me, he's the Peyton Manning of golf."

4. Shedeur Sanders’ NFL Debut [09:07 – 11:34]

The hosts briefly shift focus to Shedeur Sanders, discussing his recent debut as a quarterback. They evaluate his performance, noting his accuracy and movement, while contemplating his potential in the NFL.

Colin Cowherd [09:20]: "Shador Sanders. Yeah. Okay. It's a podcast, right. We got a couple topics here."

John offers a cautious optimism about Sanders’ future, acknowledging the challenges of transitioning from college to professional football.

John Middelkoff [10:13]: "So you got to be careful with that. You can judge instincts and you can just judge. This guy can play football."

5. Bryson DeChambeau vs. Brooks Koepka Rivalry [17:39 – 25:29]

The rivalry between Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka is explored, focusing on their contrasting personalities and competitive spirits. The discussion highlights how their dynamic adds excitement to the LIV Golf tournaments.

Colin Cowherd [17:39]: "It's just a big rivalry. They have different characters, but they're both fiercely competitive."

John reflects on their friendship and mutual respect despite the competitive edge, drawing comparisons to personalities in other sports.

John Middelkoff [19:04]: "Bryson's unique characters. You know, DJ and Brooks, like I envision them on a Sunday watching football at home."

6. LIV Golf’s Innovative Approach and Audience Engagement [27:00 – 35:26]

The podcast delves into the event's innovative features designed to enhance fan engagement, such as live music, paratroopers, fireworks, and special concerts featuring artists like Swedish House Mafia and Imagine Dragons. These elements are aimed at creating a festival-like atmosphere that appeals to a younger, more diverse audience, with approximately 40% female attendees.

Noah [39:32]: "We're about 15 years younger than a typical golf fan. That's what we saw today."

Colin attributes the event’s success to its strategic location choices, targeting cities like Chicago and Indianapolis that are enthusiastic about big events and open to new experiences.

Colin Cowherd [43:00]: "Because you're such an event. This is something we're watching. It's not about history. It's about what town or city works for us."

7. Interview with LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neill [26:00 – 47:48]

In a special segment, LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neill joins Colin and John to discuss the organization’s strategies and future plans. The conversation covers global expansion, the importance of star players, and the pressures of managing a rapidly growing sports league.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Global Expansion: Scott emphasizes the necessity of taking golf to international markets like Korea, Australia, and China to grow the sport’s global footprint.

  Noah [35:26]: "The game is growing in Australia, it's growing in Korea, it's growing in China, and we have this opportunity to grow the game."

• Demographics: LIV Golf successfully attracts a younger audience, with initiatives tailored to appeal to millennials and Gen Z, including concerts and interactive experiences.

  Noah [40:21]: "About 40% of our audience is female. It could be a good dating opportunity for those who are single out there."

• Pressure and Performance: The CEO acknowledges the immense pressure to deliver successful events and maintain the league’s growth trajectory, likening it to the early years of other major sports leagues like the UFC.

  Noah [46:37]: "There's a lot of pressure to deliver business. And that's what I signed up for. Like, I can't get enough of this."

• Player Relationships: Building strong, personal relationships with golfers is crucial. Scott discusses the importance of spending time with players off the course to foster trust and collaboration.

  Noah [45:22]: "We spend a lot of time together... It's about, am I curious enough? Am I humble enough to engage?"

• Innovation and Adaptation: LIV Golf continuously seeks ways to innovate, from tournament formats to fan engagement strategies, ensuring the league remains dynamic and appealing.

  Noah [38:36]: "If you walk the range and talk to young kids, who’s your favorite player? Bryson DeChambeau. YouTube revolution."

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd [04:29]: "People pushed back on the pitch clock. Well, the minute they did it, the sports attendance and ratings went up."

• John Middelkoff [21:40]: "He's easily one of the top seven, eight golfers in the history of the sport. And he's... he's the Peyton Manning of golf."

• Noah [35:26]: "The game is growing in Australia, it's growing in Korea, it's growing in China, and we have this opportunity to grow the game."

• Noah [46:37]: "There's a lot of pressure to deliver business. And that's what I signed up for. Like, I can't get enough of this."

Conclusion:

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, listeners are treated to an in-depth exploration of the burgeoning LIV Golf league, its strategic efforts to revitalize the sport, and the personalities that drive its success. From the electrifying atmosphere of the Chicago LIV Golf event to the intimate discussions with industry leaders like LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neill, Cowherd and his co-host provide a comprehensive look at how LIV Golf is reshaping golf’s landscape to appeal to a new generation of fans.