The Herd with Colin Cowherd: Hour 1 - Scottie Scheffler and Tiger Woods (July 21, 2025)

In this engaging episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, host Colin Cowherd dives deep into the world of golf, making a compelling comparison between rising star Scottie Scheffler and the legendary Tiger Woods. The discussion unfolds with rich insights, memorable quotes, and a thorough analysis of both golfers' careers, playing styles, and their impacts on the sport. Additionally, the episode touches upon broader sports topics, including collegiate football dynamics and the evolving landscape of women's basketball.

1. Scottie Scheffler vs. Tiger Woods: A Comparative Analysis

Colin Cowherd opens the discussion by highlighting Scottie Scheffler's recent triumphs in golf, drawing parallels to Tiger Woods' dominance during his prime years.

"Both Scotty Scheffler right now in his prime. And Tiger in his prime felt like they were absolutely better than even the second-best golfer in the world."
[04:15] – Colin Cowherd

Cowherd elaborates on their shared confidence and ability to maintain leads, emphasizing Scheffler's current form:

"If Scheffler leads on Sunday, it's over. By his third hole, you're like, yeah, yeah, it's over."
[06:00] – Colin Cowherd

He contrasts their playing styles, noting Tiger's superior iron play and longer drives, while acknowledging improvements in Scheffler's putting game:

"Tiger is the best iron player I've ever seen in my life. Maybe there's somebody better, I'm not sure. And Tiger was consistently on the tour in his prime."
[05:45] – Colin Cowherd

2. The Impact and Legacy of Tiger Woods vs. Scottie Scheffler

The conversation shifts to the broader impact both golfers have on the sport. Cowherd underscores Tiger Woods' revolutionary influence, likening him to icons like Michael Jordan and Mike Tyson for his intimidating presence and alpha persona.

"Tiger revolutionized it. Tiger was MJ or Mike Tyson in his prime. He intimidated other great fighters, other NBA all-stars."
[06:45] – Colin Cowherd

In contrast, Scheffler is portrayed as a more reserved and businesslike athlete, drawing a comparison to Tim Duncan:

"Scheffler's more Tim Duncan, reserved, avoids mistakes. Fundamentally strong, businesslike."
[07:10] – Colin Cowherd

Despite their differences, both athletes share a drive for excellence, though their motivations diverge. While Tiger was obsessed with winning and the competitive aspect, Scheffler focuses more on living out his dreams without being solely motivated by championships.

"I'm not motivated by winning championships. I feel like what motivates me is just getting out and, you know, getting to live out my dream."
[07:33] – Scottie Scheffler

3. Broader Athletic Comparisons: Obsession and Longevity

Colin broadens the discussion to compare Tiger's intensity with other sports icons like Tom Brady and LeBron James. He highlights how Tiger's unique intensity and obsession set him apart, making him a different kind of competitor.

"I think that intensity of Tiger is just different than anything I've ever seen."
[08:00] – Colin Cowherd

He contrasts this with Tom Brady's focused intensity, suggesting that while both are relentless, their approaches and impacts differ significantly.

4. Collegiate Football Dynamics: Big Ten vs. SEC

Shifting gears, Cowherd delves into collegiate football, discussing ESPN’s analytical rankings and the shifting power dynamics between the Big Ten and the SEC.

"The Big Ten is officially better than the SEC. It's not just that Ohio State won the Natty last year. It's that they humiliated Tennessee and dominated Texas."
[22:10] – Colin Cowherd

He highlights the prowess of Penn State, predicting their rise to the national championship and attributing the Big Ten's success to improved recruiting, NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals, and financial investments.

"Phil Knight in the Nike money. You add in USC in the LA economy money. The Big Ten cities, LA, NY with Rutgers, Chicago, Northwestern, Minneapolis, DC, Seattle."
[23:15] – Colin Cowherd

Urban Meyer's insights on Penn State further bolster Cowherd’s argument, emphasizing Penn State's combination of strong running backs, offensive line, and dynamic receivers.

"I think everything about Penn State is a national championship contender."
[23:15] – Urban Meyer

5. The Evolution of Sports Teams and Coaching Strategies

The episode also touches upon coaching strategies in both the NFL and NBA, comparing legendary coaches like Sean Payton, Andy Reid, and Kyle Shanahan. Cowherd praises Sean Payton's ability to transform the Denver Broncos despite unfavorable circumstances.

"What Sean Payton has done, what he's had to overcome, lack of draft capital, dead cap money. It is remarkable."
[30:10] – Colin Cowherd

In the NBA segment, Cowherd discusses the shift towards valuing younger players, citing Luka Doncic's aspirations with the Lakers as a case study.

"The pivot from LeBron back in the day. I only want to win with old guys. Young guys don't win. Are you saying that's starting to change in the NBA?"
[48:43] – J. Mac

He argues that the NBA's current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) favors building teams with younger talent, leading to a decline in the emphasis on veteran stars.

6. Supporting Perspectives and Co-Host Contributions

Throughout the episode, co-host J. Mac provides additional insights, particularly regarding team strategies and player acquisitions. For instance, the discussion around the Lakers' acquisition of Marcus Smart showcases differing viewpoints on team building and player longevity.

"Marcus Smart now will get the best guard. He'll guard SGA, he'll guard Aunt Edwards. Like that will be his assignment in the postseason. I think this is a good pickup for the Lakers."
[26:35] – J. Mac

Colin counters with his skepticism about aging defenders and emphasizes the physical toll of defensive play styles.

"The guys that make their money defensively, if KD stays healthy, he can shoot for another six years. And that's not to say KD's a terrible defender, but James Harden can still score. He doesn't defend Trae Young."
[27:15] – Colin Cowherd

7. Women's Basketball and Financial Negotiations

In a spirited segment, Colin addresses the WNBA's ongoing negotiations for better compensation, applauding the players' right to demand fair pay as the league gains momentum.

"If you're at the end of your 10-year contract and you finally start making money, do you want to bail on your investment?"
[33:00] – Colin Cowherd

He discusses the significant role of Caitlin Clark in elevating the WNBA's profile and financial prospects, advocating for the players' deserved raises despite past financial struggles of the league.

"The WNBA is on a hot streak. The growth of the WNBA due to Caitlin Clark is so sensational. What are you going to do? Bail on your investment?"
[37:00] – Colin Cowherd

8. Conclusion and Future Outlook

Colin wraps up the episode by reinforcing his support for the WNBA’s negotiations and the importance of recognizing current momentum over past investments. He also touches upon upcoming sports events, including the MLB Speedway Classic, signaling continued coverage of diverse sports topics in future episodes.

"The projection for the WNBA going forward and the current momentum are really, really good."
[37:51] – Colin Cowherd

Key Takeaways

• Scottie Scheffler vs. Tiger Woods: Both athletes exhibit dominant performances in their primes, but while Tiger revolutionized golf with his intensity and skill, Scheffler approaches the game with a more reserved and businesslike demeanor.

• Big Ten's Ascendancy in College Football: Enhanced recruiting, financial investments, and strategic leadership have positioned the Big Ten above the SEC, with Penn State emerging as a national contender.

• Coaching Excellence: Coaches like Sean Payton are lauded for their ability to transform and elevate teams despite challenges like limited draft capital and high dead cap situations.

• NBA’s Shift Towards Youth: The league's CBA now favors developing younger talent over relying on veteran stars, altering team-building strategies.

• WNBA's Financial Negotiations: There is strong support for WNBA players’ demands for better compensation as the league gains financial traction, particularly driven by stars like Caitlin Clark.

This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd offers a comprehensive exploration of current sports landscapes, blending in-depth analysis with passionate discussions on athlete performances, team strategies, and the evolving dynamics across various sports leagues.