Preview & Picks: Australian Open
Plus: JT's Comments Cause Drama, Hero World Challenge, and More.
Josey Orr
December 03, 2025
Good Afternoon. Every week, there’s a new golf debate happening on social media.
This week, Justin Thomas caused a stir on the No Laying Up Podcast after saying that there were issues between the U.S. team and the grounds crew in relation to the green speeds at Bethpage.
You can watch Justin Thomas’s comment here. That link should lead you to the 1hr mark, where the issue is discussed, if not, you’ll have to fast forward your way there.
Anyway, after the clip of JT made the rounds, an anonymous member of the grounds crew weighed in with their side of the story, which you can read on X here.
Essentially, JT says the greens were not at the requested speeds, and the grounds crew is calling bullsh*t. Now everyone’s debating if this is why they lost. What do you think?
2025 Masters - Official Film
The Masters just sent out an email with the official 2025 Film.
Experience Rory McIlroy's triumphant playoff win all over again, where he earned his first Green Jacket and became just the sixth golfer to complete the career Grand Slam.
Golf Tips:
Tiger Gives A Putting Lesson at HWC (Instagram)
Rory Breaks Down His Backswing and Downswing Feels (Youtube)
The Best People To Play With
What do you think?
More Golf Videos:
😂 Holy sh*t this guy is amazing! (Instagram)
😆 Me when the high tech golf cart says I’m too close to the green. (Instagram)
Preview & Picks: Australian Open
You know what’s great?
Meaningful golf in December.
It’s been 34 years since Royal Melbourne last hosted the Australian Open. They’ve staged plenty of big events since - including the 2019 Presidents Cup - but this is the tournament’s long-awaited return to one of the best courses on earth. Royal Melbourne is a Dr. Alister MacKenzie masterpiece, designed by the same man behind Augusta National and many other gems.
The Australian Open carries serious history no matter where it’s played. Gary Player won it seven times, Jack Nicklaus six, Greg Norman five, and legends like Tom Watson, Arnold Palmer, Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, and Jordan Spieth have all lifted the trophy at least once.
As we mentioned on Monday, the field this week is legitimately strong: Rory McIlroy, Min Woo Lee, Cam Smith, Si Woo Kim, Adam Scott, Joaquin Niemann, Abraham Ancer, David Puig, and more.
So you’ve got a world-class course, a storied tournament, and a stacked field teeing it up down under.
And the best part? You won’t have to work to find it - Golf Channel has coverage all four days, starting today at 4 PM ET.
The Details
How To Watch
Featured Groups:
There is no featured group coverage on ESPN+ for this event.
Shanks Picks
Winner: Rory McIlroy +430 Typically short odds for one of the best players in the world. Does he have any juice left after his incredible 2025 season?
Winner: Min Woo Lee +1300 Min Woo Lee had a strong showing last weekend at the Australian PGA Championship, finishing in 5th place. Plus, seeing Min Woo win his home country’s Open would make for great TV.
Winner: Marc Leishman +2000 Marc finished tied for 5th with Min Woo Lee last week at the Australian PGA Championship.
Hero World Challenge Picks
Tiger is hosting his annual, limited field event this weekend in the Bahamas. There are just 20 players who compete in this field, which is headlined by Scottie Scheffler. Scottie had short odds last year (+190) and is even shorter this year (+140) so we will need to look for value elsewhere.
Winner: Keegan Bradley +1700 Keegan has been in great form all year, just kicked butt in the Skins Game, and has decent odds for the limited field.
Top 5: Justin Rose +290 Rosie can finish Top 5 at any event, but he’s already done so 3x at the Hero World Challenge. Why not make it four?
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Golf Trip Highlight: Pebble Beach
Perched along California’s rugged Monterey Peninsula, Pebble Beach is one of the most iconic courses in the country. Every hole feels cinematic, carved between cliffs and crashing waves, where the Pacific Ocean is both your backdrop and your biggest hazard.
From the short but dramatic 7th hole to the breathtaking stretch of 8 through 10, Pebble delivers one postcard moment after another. You’re walking the same fairways as Nicklaus, Watson, Tiger, and countless legends who’ve battled the wind and the waves in pursuit of history.
Off the course, the experience is just as memorable - five-star lodging at The Lodge or Casa Palmero, oceanfront dining, and spa treatments that rival the views. Add a side trip to nearby Spyglass Hill or The Links at Spanish Bay for the ultimate Monterey golf loop.
👉 Perfect for: golfers chasing the ultimate bucket-list experience - where every swing, every view, and every photo feels like a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
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There’s a whole world of golf bags out there, but Vessel is one of the brands that stands at the very top.
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That’s A Wrap…
Before you go: just a few questions for ya.
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Until next time,
Caddyshanks team.
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