Rory beats Binoculars Boy in Dubai, more Reed rules drama, and Homa just keeps winning

Andy and Brendan waited for the Dubai Desert Classic to finish before recording this Monday episode, and man were they rewarded with both substance and catnip. They begin with Rory McIlroy manning up in the final round, finishing birdie-birdie to edge Pat Reed by a shot in what was an entire week of drama between the two on and off the course. They try to contextualize what it might mean to win in January for a player at a level where the majors are usually all that matters. On Reed, there is a lengthy chat about yet another incident where it could be said he cheated when he identified his ball up in a tree that it did not go in, and how golf’s oversight permits these kinds of maneuvers from many more players with far less scrutiny on them. After that lengthy chat on Dubai, they get to Saturday’s winner, Max Homa, and the “playing narrative” around him as he continues to rack up Ws in his early 30s and whether his actual golf is sometimes obscured by the endearing personality and popularity.