This Shouldn’t Count as a Win… But It Does

Nelly Korda continues her quiet dominance, winning the Chevron Championship by five shots and reinforcing her place as the top American player of her generation.

But on the PGA Tour, things were far less straightforward.

This week on Tough Lies, Colin and Richard break down the bizarre but compelling finish at the Zurich Classic, where Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick blew a four-shot lead on the back nine — only to make a clutch birdie on the 18th hole to win. The victory comes with controversy, as Alex entered on a sponsor’s exemption and now earns a two-year PGA Tour exemption along with entry into elevated events and major championships.

The conversation then turns to a bigger question: does team golf actually work at the professional level? While formats like the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup thrive on identity and meaning, events like Zurich — and the broader LIV team model — continue to struggle for relevance. Colin teases a different vision for how team golf could work in the future.

The guys also touch on changes within the PGA Tour, including staffing cuts under new CEO Brian Rolapp and evolving rules that may be reshaping how the game is played.

Plus: stories from New Orleans, a look at alternative scoring formats, and a MindTRAK moment on why pressure — not format — ultimately defines great golf.

“Because the toughest lies in golf aren’t always on the course.”

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Thanks for listening to Tough Lies ~ The Golfer's Podcast

~ with Colin McDougall & Richard Zokol.

LIV’in On A Prayer! + Fitz Outduels Sheffler

The week after the Masters shifts the spotlight to Harbour Town — and a very different kind of test — where Matt Fitzpatrick outduels Scottie Scheffler on the first playoff hole.

This week on Tough Lies, Colin and Richard break down what happened on Sunday, why Harbour Town continues to expose even the best players, and how Pete Dye’s design philosophy reshaped the way the game is played.

The deeper dive conversation focuses on one of the biggest questions in professional golf right now: what happens next with LIV? With reports suggesting uncertainty around long-term funding, the guys dig into what it could mean for players, the Tour, and the future structure of the game.

Plus: a MindTRAK moment on why failure to prepare is the fastest path to being exposed — and a quick detour into Colin’s first experience with “Birdie Juice”… which may or may not have improved his on-course performance……

“Because the toughest lies in golf aren’t always on the course.”

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Thanks for listening to Tough Lies ~ The Golfer's Podcast
~ with Colin McDougall & Richard Zokol.

Rory McIlroy’s Wild Masters Win (From 6-Shot Collapse to Champion)

Rory McIlroy had a six-shot lead after 36 holes at Augusta — and by Saturday afternoon, it was gone.

In this Masters reaction episode of Tough Lies, Colin and Richard break down one of the most dramatic weeks at Augusta in recent memory, from McIlroy’s early dominance to his Saturday collapse, and ultimately, a gritty Sunday performance that saw him fight his way back and close it out under pressure.

They’re joined by former PGA Tour player Rick Fehr, who brings an inside-the-ropes perspective on what it actually feels like when someone takes a huge tournament lead - how it can affect your game and lead to bad decision making. Together, they unpack the chaos across the leaderboard, fill Brad Faxon’s inbox and have a great conversation about the power of searching for higher learning in golf and life.

Plus: a MindTRAK mental moment on Rory’s shot routine, the role of trust versus control under pressure, and why winning at Augusta is less about perfection — and more about how you respond when things fall apart.

“Because the toughest lies in golf aren’t always on the course.”

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Thanks for listening to Tough Lies ~ The Golfer's Podcast
~ with Colin McDougall & Richard Zokol.

Special Masters Episode!!!!
Weir, Augusta, and Winning The Green Jacket

There are moments in golf that define a career — and then there are moments that define a country.

In this special Masters episode of Tough Lies, Colin and Richard sit down with Mike Weir to revisit one of the most iconic weeks in golf history — his unforgettable victory at Augusta National.

From the pressure of Sunday at the Masters to the shots that shaped the tournament, Weir takes us inside what it really feels like to win a green jacket. But beyond the highlights, this is a conversation about what it takes to handle the moment — the preparation, the mindset, and the ability to stay present when everything is on the line.

The discussion also turns to the current state of the game, including a candid reflection on Tiger Woods and his recent issues off the course — and a deeper question about where concern, accountability, and perspective should really lie when it comes to one of golf’s most iconic figures.

And in a uniquely Canadian moment, Weir shares what it was like to drop the puck at a Toronto Maple Leafs game while wearing the green jacket — a surreal intersection of sport, country, and legacy.

It’s a rare look inside Augusta through the eyes of a champion — and a reminder that the Masters isn’t just about great golf, it’s about how you respond when the moment finds you.

“Because the toughest lies in golf aren’t always on the course.”

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Thanks for listening to Tough Lies ~ The Golfer's Podcast
~ with Colin McDougall & Richard Zokol.

Spaun Strikes Oil in Texas, The Wait For Augusta Is OVER! — with special guest Lorne Rubenstein

It’s Masters week!!! — the first major of the year and the unmistakable signal that golf season has officially arrived.

This week on Tough Lies, Colin and Richard recap J.J. Spaun’s gritty win at the Valero Texas Open, where a simple mindset adjustment helped him chase down the field from seven shots back on the back nine. It’s a performance that reinforces one of golf’s toughest truths: you don’t need your best game to win.

They also run through a busy week across professional golf, including a clutch closing stretch from Jeremy Gandon and continued consistency from Canadian players like Sudarshan Yellamaraju and A.J. Ewart, who keep stacking results and building momentum.

Then, with Augusta National front and center, they’re joined by one of golf’s most respected voices — Lorne Rubenstein, a true sage of the game whose decades of writing and storytelling bring rare perspective and wisdom. From the evolving structure of the PGA Tour to the debate around distance and rollback, Lorne shares his view on where the game stands today — and where it may be headed.

The conversation then turns to The Masters: what defines success at Augusta, who fits the course this week, and whether a Canadian could be in the mix.

Plus: a MindTRAK mental moment on playing without your best — and why acceptance, not perfection, might be the most important skill in golf.

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Thanks for listening to Tough Lies ~ The Golfer's Podcast
~ with Colin McDougall & Richard Zokol.

“Because the toughest lies in golf aren’t always on the course.”

Vulnerability, Victory, and the Rise of Canadian Professional Golf

Gary Woodland’s emotional win in Houston was about more than golf — it was about resilience, clarity, and the search for something deeper than results. This week on Tough Lies, Colin and Richard unpack Woodland’s journey, what it means to play with freedom, and why some players are able to carry momentum while others unravel under pressure.

They’re joined by Paul Perrier, Chief Sport Officer at Golf Canada, for a fascinating look at why Canada is producing elite players at an unprecedented rate. From development pathways to mental performance, the conversation explores what actually drives success — and what everyday golfers can learn from it.

The episode also takes a hard look at Tiger Woods’ latest setback and the bigger questions surrounding his future, before diving into one of the most debated issues in the game: the proposed golf ball rollback.

With insights from equipment expert Rick Young, the discussion examines who’s making the decisions, whether they go far enough, and what they mean for the modern game.

Plus: a MindTRAK mental moment on finding your freedom, Tour stories, and a closer look at rising Canadian talent continuing to stack strong performances.

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Thanks for listening to Tough Lies ~ The Golfer's Podcast ~ with Colin McDougall & Richard Zokol.

“Because the toughest lies in golf aren’t always on the course.”

Tough Lies ~ The Golfer's Podcast ~ Episode 11 ~ Resiliency, Rollbacks and What’s New in Equipment for 2026!

Matt Fitzpatrick turned heartbreak into victory at the Valspar Championship, bouncing back from a tough loss at The Players with a disciplined, methodical performance that highlights what separates elite competitors from the rest.

This week on Tough Lies, Colin and Richard break down Fitzpatrick’s response, the strategic challenge of Innisbrook, and the growing issue of slow play — including a rare moment where a Tour official was called in mid-round.

The guys also run through a packed week across professional golf: Hyo Joo Kim edges Nelly Korda on the LPGA Tour, Steven Alker wins in a playoff on the Champions Tour, Doc Redman dominates on the Korn Ferry Tour, and Bryson DeChambeau takes down Jon Rahm in a LIV playoff with a 300+ yard fairway wood under pressure.

Then they’re joined by longtime equipment expert Rick Young (Score Golf) for a deep dive into one of the most debated topics in the game — the golf ball rollback. Who’s making the decision? Does it go far enough? And what does it mean for the future of golf? Also - what can we expect to see in new equipment for the coming golf season.

Plus: a Mindtrak mental moment on how to be stoic with your game when it counts. Remember, at Tough Lies, we talk about the parts of the game golf doesn’t.

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Thanks for listening to Tough Lies ~ The Golfer's Podcast ~ with Colin McDougall & Richard Zokol.

Tough Lies ~ The Golfer's Podcast ~ Episode 10 ~ Full Send at Sawgrass - Incredible 375 Yard Drive Wins The Players for Cam Young

This week on Tough Lies, Colin and Richard break down the closing stretch at Sawgrass, from Young’s fearless execution to Ludvig Åberg’s costly mistakes, and Sudarshan Yellamaraju’s remarkable T5 finish after learning the game on YouTube without ever taking a lesson.

They’re also joined by golf course architect Armen Suny (Suny Zokol Golf Design) for a deep dive into course design, major championship setups, and the subtle but critical differences between how the USGA and PGA Tour shape the game’s biggest stages.

The episode also explores whether The Players now deserves major status, unpacks the PGA Tour’s future structure, and features a Mindtrak mental moment on how quickly a round can unravel — and how elite players recover.

Subscribe: https://toughliespodcast.transistor.fm

Instagram: @toughliespodcast

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Thanks for listening to Tough Lies ~ The Golfer's Podcast ~ with Colin McDougall & Richard Zokol.