Runaway Rory!!!

Runaway Rory!!!

What can we learn from those who have battled addiction? Henry Weston’s Old Mate usually leans into sobriety, mental health and a bit of greenkeeping, but this mini Masters series takes a playful detour into major championship golf, keeping the same honest, no-frills style regulars will recognise. Here, host Stuart Butler (Stu) sits in his kitchen at 7am, coffee in hand and notes laid out, insisting that "prior preparation prevents piss-poor performance" as he breaks down day two from Augusta.

Golf fans who like straight-talking commentary will feel right at home as Stu runs through his “three R’s – Rory, Rose, Reid” and checks how the leaderboard shapes up for European hopes. You’ll hear a detailed walk-through of Rory McIlroy’s charge to a six-shot lead, including the wild contrast between his ranking "90th in driving accuracy" and his position at "minus 12".

Stu mixes stats with genuine admiration, calling that back nine "absolutely magical" and wondering if anyone can realistically catch him. It’s not just a Rory love-in, though. Justin Rose gets praise for his calm, methodical golf; Patrick Reed is picked apart as a controversial but brilliant competitor; and Brooks Koepka, Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry each get their own mini character study.

Stu isn’t afraid to get critical either, especially with Bob MacIntyre’s behaviour around Augusta, using a "feedback sandwich" he once learned in teaching training. The tone stays conversational and slightly self-deprecating, with Stu joking about talking "to myself with a cup of coffee" and confessing to staying up late but still not quite making it to the end of coverage.

If you like golf chat that feels like a mate on the sofa giving you his honest take, with a side-order of humour and self-awareness, this one’s for you. So, are you backing Rory to finish the job, or do you fancy a late charge from someone lurking in the pack?