On The Tee

Gabe Neitzel and Stephen Watson wrap up the 2026 golf season with their picks for the year's best tournaments, most improved players, and PGA Tour MVPs. From Rory McIlroy's historic run at Augusta to Wyndham Clark's resurgence and Cameron Young's breakout season, the guys debate the biggest stories and performances of the year. They also look back at their favorite personal golf experiences, including the Wisconsin Cup, memorable courses, and the highs and lows of their own games. Plus, Gabe and Stephen share their offseason goals and what they hope to improve before hitting the links in 2027. Finally, they close out Season 6 of On The Tee with bold predictions for Bryson DeChambeau, LIV Golf, and Rory McIlroy's chances of winning The Open at St. Andrews.

On On The Tee, Gabe Neitzel and Stephen Watson dive into the latest developments surrounding LIV Golf's uncertain future and Jon Rahm's potential return to traditional professional golf. With LIV navigating bankruptcy proceedings and players exploring ways out of their contracts, Rahm's representatives have reportedly made it clear he wants out. The guys debate whether joining LIV cost Rahm valuable years of his prime, why the DP World Tour could become the landing spot for several former LIV stars and whether Rahm should have to earn his way back onto the PGA Tour through its new Challenger Series. Then Gabe absolutely unloads on former Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley after a new account emerges alleging Bradley berated a PGA professional over a rules decision during Team USA's loss at Bethpage Black. Gabe argues Bradley's inability to control his emotions and accept responsibility for his team's failures should permanently disqualify him from another leadership role with Team USA. Stephen pushes back on the enormous pressure placed on Ryder Cup captains, but agrees Bradley's alleged behavior is indefensible. With Jim Furyk preparing for the 2027 Ryder Cup, the guys debate what American golf needs from its next generation of leadership. The conversation takes a lighter turn when Gabe considers buying a remote-controlled electric push cart after dealing with lower-back discomfort while walking golf courses. Stephen wants absolutely nothing to do with the idea, insisting that someone capable of driving the ball 330 yards has no business letting a robot carry his clubs. Gabe argues it's about protecting his back and continuing to walk rather than ride, but Stephen makes his position clear: Gabe can buy one, just don't expect Stephen to be seen playing alongside him. Plus, the guys look ahead to the next generation of PGA Tour stars, debating whether Michael Brennan, Jackson Koivun or Michael Thorbjornsen will collect the most victories in 2027. Stephen favors Koivun's complete game, while Gabe believes Brennan's driving ability and proven knack for closing tournaments give him the edge. They also celebrate former Marquette golfer Hunter Eichhorn earning his PGA Tour card through the Korn Ferry Tour, completing an impressive journey from Michigan's Upper Peninsula to professional golf's biggest stage.

On On The Tee, Gabe Neitzel and Stephen Watson are already looking ahead with the 2027 Ryder Cup officially one year away. After years of frustration with Team USA’s failures in team formats, Jim Furyk finally says what Gabe has been waiting to hear: the Americans have a preparation problem. Furyk promises changes, says he’ll ask more of this team than previous U.S. captains and plans to build pairings around what Adare Manor demands rather than simply letting players choose their buddies. And the numbers explain the urgency. Team USA is just 8-26 in foursomes over the last four years of Ryder Cups and Presidents Cups, including 3-13 in the last two Ryder Cups. Gabe and Stephen explain why Furyk’s willingness to embrace analytics, course fit and year-long preparation could finally close the strategic gap with Europe. They also argue the captain needs enough authority to break up popular pairings when the numbers say they simply don’t work The guys also hear from Steve Stricker, who reveals the rare Ryder Cup moment when Sergio Garcia actually got under his skin enough to produce some serious emotion. That sparks a conversation about golf etiquette, trash talk and Stephen’s own encounters with opponents dancing in his putting line and groups repeatedly hitting into him. Apparently, buried underneath the mild-mannered golf analyst is still a little Philly fire. Plus, Rory McIlroy’s five rules for breaking 80 get put under the microscope: no bogeys with a wedge inside 100 yards, avoid the short side on par threes, play every par five in five shots or fewer, eliminate three-putts inside 40 feet and allow yourself only one hero shot per round. Gabe and Stephen identify the rules they struggle with most and the parts of their games headed for some serious winter maintenance.

On The Tee is live from Erin Hills as Gabe Neitzel and Stephen Watson react to Team USA’s 17-13 Presidents Cup comeback victory. The Americans dominated singles, but Gabe and Stephen argue the final score masks serious problems with Team USA’s approach to team golf. From questionable pairings to another disastrous foursomes performance, they question why American captains continue relying on familiarity and “buddy ball” instead of building pairings around data and complementary strengths. There were still plenty of bright spots. Jackson Koivun went unbeaten in his Presidents Cup debut at just 21 years old, while Cameron Young and Chris Gotterup showed why they could become fixtures for Team USA. The guys also praise Justin Thomas for embracing his leadership role and sticking with Koivun throughout his dramatic Sunday singles match. But after another event filled with strategic questions, Gabe and Stephen wonder who can finally provide Team USA with the continuity and preparation that Europe and the International Team have built. Plus, Matt Hutchins joins the show during his remarkable run at the U.S. Mid-Am at The Lido. The longtime Sand Valley caddie advanced to the quarterfinals on his home course despite suffering a calf injury, and explains how his years of course knowledge give him an advantage on one of golf’s most unique match-play venues.

On On the Tee, Gabe Neitzel and Stephen Watson go all-in on the Presidents Cup after Stephen spends the day on the ground at Medinah. He breaks down the redesigned course and the pairings Team USA appears to be building, including Scottie Scheffler with Sam Burns, Xander Schauffele with Patrick Cantlay and an intriguing veteran-rookie combination of Justin Thomas and 21-year-old Jackson Koivun. Stephen also goes one-on-one with Scottie Scheffler, and his answer about match play sends Gabe into orbit. Scheffler says the differences between match play and stroke play can be overblown, but Gabe points to his underwhelming record in international team competition and argues that treating match play like ordinary stroke play might be part of the problem. Cameron Young provides the opposite energy, fully embracing Team USA’s status as the heavy favorite and declaring that the Americans have earned it. Plus, the guys discuss J.J. Spaun being left off Team USA, rookie karaoke night and their picks for the Americans’ leading point-getter. Then USGA championship director Kevin Fullenkamp joins the show to preview the U.S. Mid-Am at The Lido and Sand Valley, explain what makes The Lido such a unique championship venue and why Wisconsin continues to become one of the USGA’s favorite destinations.

On the Tee with Gabe Neitzel and Stephen Watson is live from The Bog, breaking down another frustrating result for American team golf after Europe claimed the Solheim Cup 15-13. Gabe and Stephen discuss the Americans’ Saturday-night celebration that provided Europe with some extra motivation, why winning on foreign soil continues to be such a challenge and the standout performances from Alison Lee and Lauren Coughlin. Plus, Rory McIlroy couldn’t resist taking a little jab at Team USA. The guys also dive into the PGA Tour’s new Championship and Challenger Series qualification rules for 2028. Who gets into the top series, how can players earn promotion and could the new structure eventually provide a path back for LIV stars like Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau? Gabe and Stephen explain why the changes could make the 2027 regular season dramatically more meaningful. Finally, Stephen has some thoughts about Duff Foreman, the AI golf commentator who debuted at the New Mexico Open. As a golf broadcaster himself, Stephen explains what the AI broadcast was missing, reacts to Duff delivering incorrect information on-air and comes away from the experiment feeling much better about the future of human golf broadcasters.

Did Team USA get its Presidents Cup captain's picks right? Gabe Neitzel and PGA Tour Live's Stephen Watson break down a STACKED Team USA roster featuring Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa and some of the most exciting young talent in golf. One name could steal the show: Jackson Koivun. After an incredible rise from amateur golf to winning on the PGA Tour, Koivun earns his opportunity on Team USA despite having only a handful of PGA Tour starts under his belt. Gabe and Stephen explain why the gamble makes sense, why Koivun's match-play experience matters and why he could become one of the biggest stories of the Presidents Cup. But there's another question surrounding this event: Is Team USA simply TOO GOOD for the International Team? The guys compare both rosters and debate whether the talent gap has become a legitimate problem for the future of the Presidents Cup. Plus, Gabe and Stephen react to an INCREDIBLE Walker Cup comeback by Great Britain & Ireland, preview Team USA vs. Team Europe in the Solheim Cup and debate whether Nelly Korda and Charley Hull need to face each other in Sunday singles. And Gabe relives the painful golf shot that ended his Red Coat run at Wisconsin Country Club. ⛳ TOPICS: • Team USA Presidents Cup roster • Presidents Cup captain's picks • Jackson Koivun's incredible rise • Scottie Scheffler in team golf • Justin Thomas' importance to Team USA • Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay • Can the International Team challenge Team USA? • The future of the Presidents Cup • Great Britain & Ireland's incredible Walker Cup comeback • Why the Walker Cup is appointment television • Solheim Cup preview • Team USA vs. Team Europe • Nelly Korda vs. Charley Hull • Rose Zhang and Lottie Woad • Gabe's heartbreaking Red Coat finish • Wisconsin golf 💬 Who wins the Presidents Cup — and did Team USA get its captain's picks right? Drop your predictions in the comments. 🏌️ SUBSCRIBE to ESPN Milwaukee for more On The Tee with Gabe Neitzel and Stephen Watson, PGA Tour conversation, golf analysis and Wisconsin sports coverage. 👍 LIKE the video if you want more golf content. 🔔 Turn on notifications so you don't miss the latest episodes of On The Tee. #PresidentsCup #Golf #PGATour #ScottieScheffler #TeamUSA #JacksonKoivun #SolheimCup #WalkerCup #WisconsinGolf #OnTheTee

Gabe Neitzel and Stephen Watson recap the Tour Championship, including Stephen’s call of Justin Rose’s hole-in-one at East Lake. They break down another remarkable season from Scottie Scheffler and the eye-popping numbers that show just how far he has separated himself from the rest of the PGA Tour. The guys also look ahead to the Tour’s future playoff format and discuss the American Family Insurance Championship returning to University Ridge. Plus, they spotlight underrated seasons from Alex Fitzpatrick and Collin Morikawa before Stephen names Gary Woodland his story of the year.

On this edition of On The Tee, Gabe Neitzel and PGA Tour Live’s Stephen Watson react to the PGA Tour’s major overhaul of the Tour Championship beginning in 2028. The guys break down the new 32-player, World Cup-style match play format, why it could finally give fans a postseason-style event worth watching, and how the changes could open the door for Wisconsin courses like Whistling Straits and Erin Hills to host PGA Tour golf again. Plus, Gabe and Stephen debate the PGA Tour Player of the Year race between Scottie Scheffler and Wyndham Clark. Does Scheffler’s remarkable consistency outweigh Clark’s three victories and U.S. Open title? They also preview the Tour Championship at East Lake, discuss the latest on LIV players potentially returning to the PGA Tour, and Gabe somehow manages to break yet another driver shaft.

Gabe Neitzel and Stephen Watson break down Scottie Scheffler’s dominant eight-shot win at the FedEx St. Jude and the remarkable consistency that continues to separate him from the rest of professional golf. They look back at the memorable—and sometimes comical—moments of LIV Golf 1.0 as questions swirl about the league’s future and potential pathways back to the PGA Tour for its stars. The guys preview the BMW Championship at historic Bellerive and discuss why more premier PGA Tour events should showcase championship courses throughout the Midwest. Plus, Gabe recaps his affordable Michigan golf getaway, including 72 holes at Boyne and spectacular views along Lake Michigan at Bay Harbor.