Tough Lies ~ The Golfer's Podcast

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 a...

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...

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 U...

Tough Lies ~ The Golfer's Podcast ~ Episode 9 ~ Bhatia Brings It At Bay Hill + Monopoly, Power and the PGA Tour

Akshay Bhatia captured a dramatic playoff victory at Bay Hill — despite never holding the lead during regulation — raising an intriguing question about tournament golf: is it actually easier to chase than to protect a lead?

This week on Tough Lies, Colin and Richard break down Bhatia’s win over Daniel Berger, the psychology of playing with a lead, and how players mentally prepare for the sudden-death pressure of a playoff. They also look ahead to The Players Champi...

Tough Lies ~ The Golfer's Podcast ~ Episode 8 ~ Lowry Caught By The Bear Trap & What’s Missing From The Champions Tour

A double-double in the Bear Trap.

A four-year-old watching her father try to close.

A calm winner while chaos unfolds.

This week on Tough Lies, we break down Shane Lowry’s collapse, Nico’s composure, Brooke’s putting, and the stars align at Seminole 

Then we zoom out.

The Champions Tour once gave second acts to grinders and working-class dreamers. Today? The door feels locked.

Colin shares hi...

Tough Lies ~ The Golfer's Podcast ~ Episode 7 ~  “Do You Feel Lucky?” — Bridgeman Survives Riviera with One Bullet Left

Jacob Bridgeman nearly coughs up a six-shot lead at Riviera — but gets the ‘W’

Why is closing so much harder than chasing?

We break down the Genesis Invitational, Aldrich Potgieter’s emergence, and Rory’s latest close call — then pivot to the bigger tension: Jon Rahm, the DP World Tour standoff, and what it means for the Ryder Cup. 

Then we cut to:

Why players love Riviera (it’s the design, silly)

What should a cou...

Augusta National continues to shape modern professional and amateur golf. It positions itself as guardian of tradition and steward of the game.

But when its name surfaces in the Epstein files — even peripherally as it did this week — should it remain untouchable?

If you influence the sport’s moral tone, its media access, and its power structure, do you also owe transparency when uncomfortable associations appear?

We examine what was actually disclosed, whether membership accountability is ever discussed publicly, and whether Augusta’s mystique relies on insulation from scrutiny.

Then...

Did the PGA Tour almost have a players’ union — and why does that history matter as the Tour moves toward a for-profit structure?

In this episode of Tough Lies: The Golfer’s Podcast, we begin with a look at what unfolded on Tour this week, including the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Canadians on Tour, the Korn Ferry Tour, and ongoing concerns about fan behavior crossing the line.

The core of the episode is a deep dive into the PGA Tour’s evolution from a player-run non-profit to a commercially driven sports enterprise. Through that lens, we revis...

Equal swings. Unequal pay. In Episode 4 of Tough Lies, we dig into the LPGA - PGA pay disparity and why it persists in a sport that loves to call itself merit-based. Colin floats a few potential solutions that are bound to spark debate - and maybe, just maybe, move the conversation forward. 

Deep Dive - Blades Brown and the potential perils of being a young golf phenom.

The "Returning Players" program for the PGA Tour.

Zokol and McDougall dive deep into the Ryder Cup and talk Rory McIlroy and Colin Morikawa, plus lots more!

Tough Lies – The Golfer’s Podcast is where golf’s harder conversations finally get airtime.

Hosted by PGA Tour veteran Richard Zokol and marketing strategist Colin McDougall, Tough Lies goes beyond equipment launches and leaderboard chatter to explore the real issues shaping the modern game — from the mental side of competition and modern professional golf, to the narratives and assumptions shaping the game, questioned thoughtfully, critically, and constructively.

Each episode blends insider perspective with candid conversation, featuring stories from inside the ropes, lessons learned the hard way, and thoughtful takes on where the game is headed —...