12. Um, and now I I’m getting word from Scotty Swingler. We have the great Jimmy Walker. Hey, Jimmy. It is not every day we get a PGA champ to come visit us here on the Pete Soua Show. Thanks, man. Here we go. Here we go. Is right, dude. So, so you’re you’re not physically back in Waco, but you are right now. We we we we do we filmed this show a lot of days out of Waco. Um, so welcome home, I guess. A little morsel of that. Yeah, it’s so interesting driving by the school anymore. It is not what I remember it. What’s the biggest change you see when you drive by? Oh, man. The amount of buildings and I’ve been to the new stadium. It’s incredible. But, uh, it it’s just, you know, from 35, man, it’s it’s changed so much. Just the amount of growth. It’s pretty incredible. It is cool to drive. And I tell people this, when you drive down 35 and you pass through Waco, it’s very clear like it’s almost a great advertisement for the school. You have Foster Pavilion on one side and that beautiful football facility on the other and then you have that brand new building like the glass building, you know, that’s it’s uh it’s a big deal, man. You’re part of you’re part of something huge, bud. Yeah, I don’t think I had much part in it, but uh it’s sure cool to see and um it’s sure been fun to watch it grow and watch the sports do well and um I know it’s always big when football teams, you know, in high gear. So, it’d be fun to see him uh keep the pedal down this year. Yeah, hope they’re hoping to keep the pedal down Saturday night against Arizona State. I’ll ask you a little bit about that um before we wrap up. But but I really want to talk to you about about the RDER Cup. Uh you know, obviously coming up here in in two weeks, you know, at Beth Paige. Um as a as someone who competed in the RDER Cup, just can you describe is there a way to describe um the pressure and also the honor that comes with playing in an event like that for America? Yeah, I think it’s I remember my first one was the Glen Eagles over in Scotland and you know, can you prepare for it? I don’t think so. Especially if it’s your first one. I think just going into it, you’re going to experience feelings I don’t think you’ve ever really experienced in the golf world. You know, you always go out and play for yourself and you know, for some of these guys, college was a long time ago and um but the sense of playing for your country, you’re playing for yourself. There’s no prize money. It’s strictly an exhibition, but it means so much. It’s got so much history. Um, and I think, you know, as a fan and as a player, you’ve seen just some of the most incredible golf be played. And, you know, golf’s a game where not everybody has it every week. Obviously Scotty Shuffler is showing us uh you know some very special stuff right now, but um and the European squad’s got guys that are doing the same thing. But it’s amazing how many guys show up with their highest level game for that week. And I always said, God, after I played my first Rder Cup, I felt like I played so incredibly well. I was like, man, why can’t I do this every week? you know, why can’t I when can’t I tap into this little reservoir that I somehow found this week? So, it’s I remember playing with Zach at the pre at uh Hazeline and we both talked about it. I there’s there’s more pressure in that than competing and trying to win a major championship. There there just there really is and it’s hard to put into words. Uh if I was a writer, maybe I could do a better job. What do you think about the first tea? Like when you’re your experience being on the first tea for the first time that some of these guys will be going through here uh on September 25th, 26, what’s that like? I always made my partner tea off first. It’s It’s something. It’s different. It’s different at both spots. uh you know on on the away turf uh the the crowds over there on the first te with the chants and the songs and when you make your practice swings it’s it’s very intense and then you come here to home and you do it and it’s a completely different feeling. Um I almost feel like there’s more pressure when you get home because you know everybody is rooting for you. uh you don’t so much feel it when you’re across the pond, but you do know that everybody at home is waking up early and watching you go off and um it is it is something. I mean, I’ve heard stories of guys I remember there was video Luke Donald not being able to get the ball on the tea. So, it’s it is something. It it it can really work you up or and uh it can help you shine, too. Yeah, it’s an such an amazing amazing event and and the pageantry and and players like you competing in it. Um, and a lot of times too, you you do get it’s golf. You get a ton of egos and and you’re it’s rare that you partner with some of these, you know, top flight guys. What is I guess how important is chemistry and and and is it hard to find? Does it take a minute or do guys just show up and get it? Is it like is it like the dinner scene in Happy Gilmore uh that I just saw? You know, Happy Gilmore 2 or is it something that’s with a little more tension? You know, the team room I think is kind of what the players make it. I think the captain can have a lot of say on how that goes and feels. I think I had two different kind of looks at it. Tom Watson my first year and then Davis Love the next year. First year was more uh 14 was more serious. we still cut loose and, you know, had some pingpong and um but the next the next time it was more there were some speakers and we had guys come in and give talks. Um but you know, as far as chemistry with your players and your teammates, I think it’s important to enjoy being with the person that that you’re playing with and respect them and, you know, have a good relationship with them because you’re about to go into battle with these guys and it means a lot. It means a lot to yourself. It means a lot to your partner and it means a lot to your country and your teammates. And uh so I think it’s important. I mean I’ve only had at the RDER Cup I only had two playing partners. I played with Ricky Fowler for uh the first four matches in 14. And I played with Zack couple Big 12 guys. You and Ricky Fowler. Exactly. Um and then played with Zach Johnson for two matches at at Hazeline. And both guys I get along with guys I roommed with. We rented houses together. We cook together, practice rounds. So, I felt very comfortable playing with guys that those two guys because I knew them. I knew what they’re all about. I knew we’d have good conversation. I knew we could lean on each other and keep it loose. You know, if you’re playing with somebody you don’t really hang out with or somebody you don’t like. Um, it could be more difficult. That doesn’t mean that you can’t go out and do your job and play good and go show off and, you know, because that’s what you’re trying to do with your with your buddy is, you know, let’s go show off and, you know, kick some tail and have a good time. You know, that’s what you you’re there to do that and enjoy the experience. Um, I think this year at Beth Page, the golf course by itself is very demanding and challenging. I’m sure they’ll have it set up. Very tough. Um I played US Open there, played some playoff events there and it’s a tough tough track. And then there’s the crowds up there which are notoriously pretty brutal. So um you know, we even had to deal with that at Hazel Team. We had to calm the crowd down and keep them from saying rowdy stuff. So I imagine up there it’s even going to be more so. Well, but that Beth Paige is is it it’s it’s fast, right? I mean, like the greens are fast. Am I wrong about that or is it still is that something you have to worry about? They will be it’s obviously golf is very weather dependent. I don’t know what the forecast looks like, but I the home team gets to set up I’m pretty sure the course setup and how they want it to play. And I know our guys are more used to firmer f or faster greens. I’m not going to say firmer, but uh they will definitely try to set it up in the favor of the US for sure. You know, looking at the roster, um you know, Scotty Sheffler, Xander Schoffley, Russell Henley, and then you know, you get to the captain’s picks, Justin Thomas. Those are just a few names. Who do you look to or who do you think we will see emerging for America at a course like this? like like who is best suited to play Beth Paige? Is it is it Scotty? Is it someone else? And and why? I think that with the rough the way it is I mean obviously you have to look at Scotty, he’s playing well seems like every week and everywhere he goes. So, I mean, I think that I think he needs to be playing every match. Um he’s young, he’s mentally capable. I think he can handle whatever they throw at him. And I think there’s a few guys like that that you do need to lean on. Um this isn’t a this isn’t a participation trophy. I think if you want to win, you’ve got to have your your best players out there. And I think you’ve got to, you know, you’ve really got to try to put it on them as good as you can. Uh there’s, you know, there’s some rookies and a lot of times the rookies really show up and play well. It’s a definitely a driving golf course. Um, seems like JJ and Russell hit it super straight. I know Russell’s one of the straightest drivers of the golf ball on tour. Uh, how does that equate to there? Hard to say, but um, it’s an interesting course for Ryder Cup. I think the I think the hometown crowd could have a big influence. Um, I know that Europe’s got a big chip on their shoulder. They’ve got a pretty stack team. Yeah. So, I look for him to come out swinging hard and fast. How how do you say when you say about the crowd like how how for somebody who doesn’t know, right? Like an average football fan that will be watching the RDER Cup, right? Like how does the crowd have such an impact on on these golfers and and how is it different, you know? Well, I think it’s like in sports, it’s uh in any other team game, the home team usually has an advantage. That’s why you fight hard for the regular season and get the home field advantage because it does make a difference. So I think Europe’s proved that we haven’t won over there since the early 90s or late 80s, I don’t remember, something like that. So it makes a big difference and we haven’t seemed to be able to crack the code. Uh I know I was my team that I played on was unsuccessful and um I don’t know what it is. they just seem to play better over there. Um, more cohesion between the team. I I don’t know. But I do know that home team does have the advantage. You will not feel the sting of bad shots as much. Not that you really feel it over there because the fans and the crowd base are very respectful. Uh, which is interesting. Even going over just playing a regular European tour event over there. even playing the open championship. It’s a different feel. Um golf, you know, decent golf shots are applauded more. Uh where over here it’s, oh man, you can hit it inside of 10 feet all day and sometimes I’ll get a clap. So, it’s tough when you look at their roster, right? Obviously Rory, Tommy Fleetwood, uh Shane Lowry, who who do you see emerging for them? who who fits the bill uh to excel in this type of environment and also on this course. It’s hard to say. I think I mean I look at their team and everybody on there is world class player. Not saying that our guys aren’t either, but um those guys play a world stage. They’re moving and running and gunning all over. So, they’ll be ready for the challenge. You know, McIntyre has been playing really well. Tommy Fleetwood coming off the FedEx Cup. Rory’s had an amazing year capping off the grand slam. Um, and he always seems to get fired up for that. They’re they’re pretty good. I mean, Terrell and Rom and I mean, it’s it’s a pretty good team. Uh, so I mean, I I I hate saying it. I think we got our work cut out for us, but uh I hope it I would love to see it super tight and fun. I mean, if it came down to the last group, the last day or the last singles match, I mean, it would be awesome. It’s It’s great. TV to watch. Um, so I hope it’s I hope it’s tight. I really do. It’ll be fun to watch. Amazing event. Um, Jimmy, just a couple more questions for you and I’ll let you get back to it. I know you probably have a lot to do. Take us inside. Um, the the team environment when when you get to the site, right? Like how does that go? Um, is there like a speech or a talk or or or like a tone that is set um when you first arrive that carries into play or is it a lighter environment where hey like like do you guys ever get an opportunity to blow off steam like what what is that like? There’s cookouts and you know being at home I think you’ve got more opportunity to have more fun things that you’re used to. I know we had, you know, Davis was big into barbecue and he had his favorite barbecue joint come and cook for us every night. Um, you know, you hear the ping pong stories and it’s a lot of it is it’s fun to just because you don’t just hang out with these guys all the time. There’s a few guys that hang out, but you get to get to know some of the players better than you ever have and meeting their wives and meeting their families and um so that aspect of it to me I think kind of builds towards you know more of a team bonding experience um because you are getting ready to go do something very difficult you know like in the grand scheme of your life and career it doesn’t mean a ton. You You’re not You’re not doing it for prize money. You’re just doing it for pride. And you know, we became professional athletes and golfers for, you know, to go play for prize money. And it’s just kind of one of those things that you get to go do. And it and it it uh it ends up meaning so much to you. Um, I remember losing my RDER Cup in 14, losing the RDER Cup in 14, but winning my singles match and that was maybe one of the most proud moments of my life. I happened to play extremely well and had a great match. But, you know, eking out those wins, eking out a push, you know, fighting to the end, it’s it’s what it’s all about. And felt like I learned a lot personally from that. um and furthered that, you know, down in my career down the line. Um, oh, remember that shot? Well, this wasn’t that hard, you know, kind of a deal. So, it puts things in perspective, I would imagine. It does. It really does. It’s an absolute blast. It’s nerve-wracking as hell, but uh it’s it’s fun. You get done and you you just take a couple of deep breaths and just like, whoa, that was a lot. Couple more. When when you um you know, you’re you’re here you are, you know, Baylor guy. Um you look like you could, you know, maybe look like a Baylor grad. Not to just throw that out there, but you know, inside, dude, as as a golfer who wins like you do and has had the career like you do, you’re a killer. Um you know, upstairs. No, really, you are. I mean, you’re going to probably won’t just hang in there and take the compliment. Up here, you have to be and your skill set has to be elite, right? So, you go to these RDER Cups, let’s say you make new friends, right? Let’s say you you and Justin Thomas just to for instance, become really close and then now here you guys are vying for the PGA Championship, right? Like, I don’t know, a year later. Like, is it almost is it a benefit that you’ve gotten to know this guy or do you almost not like it because you’d rather just be a killer and keep him of some as somebody you don’t like? I would imagine you do, like you mentioned, become really close with these dudes, but now you still have to look to blow them away in the most competitive competitive of environments. How’s that play out? Well, you still like if you’re if you’re playing if you’re at the top and you’ve got a buddy there, obviously you’re there to do your job, and that is to get the most out of your round you can and try to win. Obviously, uh I think you find it more once you get to know somebody when you’re either not playing that week or, you know, you missed the cut or you’re finishing 20th, you know, you do like, you know, he’s a friend. I I do root for him. Um so, yeah, I think there’s there’s a lot of that. you know, it’s a it’s a very individual sport and it’s very cutthroat and I I think that that’s kind of one of the knocks on our team is that we don’t have as much of that camaraderie as as the European squad does. So, I think that that’s what they’ve tried to do the last um you know, two three RED cups is try to build that bond and that friendship. And you know, one of the things I remember doing before 16 was we got on to Gillette up in Foxboro and got to go out on the field and throw footballs and we had messages from Bellich and Gronk and Brady and, you know, sat in the team conference room and watch and listen to that and, you know, they threw us a party and I remember that was a pretty cool night just everybody going and getting to hang out and like, all right, this is starting to feel a little more like it. So, you know, I don’t know what they’ve done this year or what they are doing, but uh hopefully they’re doing something fun like that and kind of building that up. All right, let’s take it to the football field now. Last question for you. Um the Baylor football team, they got Arizona State this week. It’s a huge game, right? Uh 6:30 Central time on Fox. Uh so it’ll be perfect. You won’t have to go out of your way to watch it, Jimmy. Just hit the hit the remote. No problem. All right. Who who who who do you like in that game? And and and have you seen anything? I know you’ve watched Baylor this year. Anything about the team that you really like? I think I haven’t watched too much. I want I was proud of them for going and stepping it up at the beginning of the year and like going and playing a real team. Um I really thought that we had a chance to win that game. Um, and then I I was busy at the hunting lease and ran back to the house and slipped on the SMU game. I was like, “Oh yeah, Baylor’s on.” And I turned it on right when the guy kicked the field goal to win the game in second OT. And I was like, “Oh my gosh, with all the games to have missed, this would have been just an absolute awesome one to watch.” Um, and then taking care of business last week. I don’t know. I don’t even know what the line is this week. Uh, two and a half. Baylor’s favored by two and a half. I think they’re coming off some good mo. Um I don’t see why you couldn’t pick another one off. I think I had them in our we do a pick them pick them pull and I think I had them going over seven and five this year. So I know it’s tough. It’s so interesting with the Big 12 does not look like what it used to and I see all these teams in it now. I’m like what what is this? I know. Yeah, it’s pretty wild. So, I wish him all the best and it’s fun to watch and um definitely be watching this weekend. All right, Jimmy Walker, Baylor grad, PGA champ, Rder Cup alone. Thank you so much, dude, for taking the time. It means a lot. Really cool to connect with you. Yeah, anytime, man. All right, Jimmy. Take care, bud. All right, there he goes. Jimmy Walker. Pretty cool. It’s not every day that you get a Baylor grad uh to come on a show that’s based out of here in Central Texas and talk about the RDER Cup. Um because he played in it, right? Uh great stuff. All right, we’re going to come back. Uh Scotty and I are going to chat a little bit about college football and a bridge version of the Pete Souza show today. What’s Scotty think about Davos Sweeney and everything he had to say yesterday? I know he’s got some thoughts. Uh we’re coming back presented by Svotics after
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