A-A-Ron solves A-ron-imink!
This week on Tough Lies, Colin and Richard are joined by golf course architect Armen Suny to break down an unforgettable PGA Championship at Aronimink — where Aaron Rai delivered one of the great closing stretches in recent major history, firing a back-nine 31 to win by three shots over Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley.
The guys dive deep into the golf course itself, the setup, and why many believed modern players would overpower Aronimink — only to discover that precision, patience, and decision-making mattered far more than brute force.
Armen shares insights from being onsite throughout the week, including reactions from players like Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, who openly questioned aspects of the setup after struggling to gain an advantage with the driver.
The episode also explores:
• Why Aaron Rai’s strategic use of 3-wood may have won him the championship
• Ongoing questions around Bryson DeChambeau after another missed cut
• Whether LIV players are losing competitive sharpness in major championships
• And what great championship architecture is actually supposed to do
Plus: a MindTRAK moment on Nick Taylor learning the way to navigate the back 9 at a major
Because under major pressure, the golf course always exposes what you truly trust.
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Thanks for listening to Tough Lies ~ The Golfer's Podcast
~ with Colin McDougall & Richard Zokol.
What is Tough Lies ~ The Golfer's Podcast?
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 — and why.
This isn’t hot takes for clicks. It’s honest dialogue, grounded experience, and constructive debate — for golfers who love the game enough to question it.
If you’ve ever thought “someone should talk about this” while watching golf… this is that podcast.