Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Episode: "Go Low - REACTION to J.J. Spaun Winning the U.S. Open"

Release Date: June 16, 2025
Host: John Middlecock
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Description: The Herd with Colin Cowherd delves into the top sports stories of the day, offering thought-provoking opinions and in-depth discussions. In this episode, host John Middlecock reacts to J.J. Spaun’s stunning victory at the U.S. Open, analyzing its implications for the world of golf.

1. Introduction to J.J. Spaun’s U.S. Open Victory

John Middlecock opens the episode by highlighting the unexpected triumph of J.J. Spaun at the U.S. Open. Initially viewed as a long shot with 120 to 1 odds on DraftKings, Spaun's victory defied predictions and marked a significant moment in the tournament.

"JJ Spawn at 120 to 1 on DraftKings before Thursday and he took the first round lead, was 121 to win. So one of my big takeaways or takes coming into this tournament was Cinderella's are dead."
[02:11]

2. Dominance of Top Golfers vs. Cinderella Stories

Middlecock discusses his previous belief that Cinderella stories in golf were extinct, citing the dominance of top players like Bryson DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, and Jon Rahm in recent majors.

"Cinderella's are dead. I believed it too because of the Xander's, the Rory's, the Schefflers, the Roms, the Brysons. They had just taken over the majors for the last six or seven majors."
[02:40]

3. Analyzing J.J. Spaun’s Performance

Middlecock offers a detailed analysis of Spaun’s performance, emphasizing his consistency and ability to avoid bogeys during the crucial rounds. He notes Spaun's significant earnings spike, highlighting his career progression leading up to the U.S. Open.

"He shoots four under par. He doesn't make a bogey, and he's just kind of rolling."
[05:30]

He further remarks on Spaun’s earnings, noting a substantial increase this year compared to his career total, showcasing his rapid ascent in the golfing world.

"He will have made about $10 million this year, so he won't have doubled how much he has made through the course of his career, but he made about 40% of his career earnings in the last six months."
[08:15]

4. Course Difficulty and Its Impact on the Tournament

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the challenging nature of the Oakmont course, deemed the hardest in America. Middlecock debates the balance between course difficulty and viewer engagement, questioning whether the extreme difficulty hinders or enhances the spectator experience.

"The course obviously is a fascinating conversation because do we want chaos? Do we want carnage?"
[10:05]

He critiques the media’s portrayal of the course’s difficulty, suggesting that television coverage fails to capture the true essence and undulations of Oakmont’s greens.

"One problem with this course, which again, is known as the hardest course in America, is...all the holes kind of blend together. From a viewing standpoint, if you've never played there, you're going to 14. Kind of looks like 15, kind of looks like 13."
[17:20]

5. Broadcasting and Viewer Experience

Middlecock expresses his frustration with how NBC managed the tournament’s broadcasting, especially during rain delays. He laments the lack of real-time engagement with current players, opting instead to showcase historical footage of Tiger Woods from 2008.

"They immediately went to Tiger Woods 2008 Saturday, and it was like...what are we doing here?"
[23:45]

He contrasts this with the dedicated and dynamic coverage of other sports, such as the NFL, highlighting a perceived lack of enthusiasm in golf broadcasting.

"Think about how they do football. It's a big deal. It feels like a Super Bowl every night...but with golf, it's like I couldn't believe when they went to the rain delay."
[25:50]

6. Rory McIlroy’s Recent Struggles

A significant segment is devoted to Rory McIlroy’s unexpected downturn following an exceptional start to the year, including his Masters win. Middlecock analyzes potential factors contributing to McIlroy’s performance slump, touching on personal challenges and public perception.

"Rory, who knows? Shooting 75 every day, hucking clubs, shattering tee boxes, it does diminish the experience a little bit."
[34:10]

He speculates on McIlroy’s personal life and its impact on his game, suggesting that off-course issues may be influencing his on-course demeanor and performance.

"Whatever's going on at his home...he had a divorce that almost happened a year ago. They reconciled."
[38:30]

7. Impact of Media and Public Perception on Athletes

Middlecock delves into the pressures athletes face from constant media scrutiny, emphasizing how media interactions can exacerbate personal and professional challenges. He points out the unrealistic expectations placed on top athletes to maintain flawless performances.

"When you're just a nice guy, if you're in the public eye all the time, you're going to screw up. You're going to say things that are going to piss people off."
[50:25]

He criticizes the media's role in shaping and sometimes distorting the narrative around athletes, making their careers more volatile and their personal struggles more public.

"There can never. There's never been a time in the history of sports where it's been easier to be an athlete and get asked questions."
[51:40]

8. Audience Questions and Interactive Discussion

Towards the end of the episode, Middlecock addresses questions from listeners via Golopod, the associated golf podcast's Instagram. Topics include Rory McIlroy’s media interactions, the broadcasting of LIV golfers, and the potential for rotating challenging courses in PGA tournaments.

"Question what's going on with this guy, he needs to be admitted to the loony bin or just get some medication."
[61:00]

He responds thoughtfully to queries about the LIV-PGA split, discussing the competitive tensions and media biases that arise when players migrate between tours.

"I think there's a jealousy factor and there's animosity and some, a lot of these guys, you know, said no."
[64:20]

9. Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

John Middlecock wraps up the episode by reiterating the significance of J.J. Spaun's victory and reflecting on the broader implications for golf. He underscores the unpredictability of the sport and the enduring allure of underdog stories, even amidst the dominance of established stars.

"Congrats to JJ, Spawn, U.S. Open champion, and Oakmont, I guess, for kicking the shit out of everybody."
[66:52]

Notable Quotes:

• "JJ Spawn...he takes the first round lead, was 121 to win...Cinderella's are dead."
  [02:11]

• "He shoots four under par. He doesn't make a bogey, and he's just kind of rolling."
  [05:30]

• "The course...all the holes kind of blend together...you know if you miss the fairway, we all know you're fucked."
  [17:20]

• "They immediately went to Tiger Woods 2008 Saturday...what are we doing here?"
  [23:45]

• "Rory...shooting 75 every day, hucking clubs...diminish the experience a little bit."
  [34:10]

• "When you're in the public eye all the time, you're going to screw up."
  [50:25]

• "Congrats to JJ, Spawn, U.S. Open champion, and Oakmont, I guess, for kicking the shit out of everybody."
  [66:52]

Conclusion:

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, John Middlecock provides a comprehensive reaction to J.J. Spaun’s unexpected U.S. Open victory. He navigates through the complexities of modern golf, examining the balance between dominant top players and the ever-hopeful Cinderella stories. Middlecock also critiques the role of media in shaping athlete narratives and discusses the evolving dynamics within the sport, including the LIV-PGA split. Through insightful analysis and engagement with listener questions, the episode offers a nuanced perspective on the current state and future of professional golf.