Reactions to the Dubai Invitational & Final-Round Contenders at the Sony Open | 5 Clubs

by Carrigan Bain | Jan 20, 2026

The 5 Clubs Sunday Special breaks down the first PGA TOUR event of the season, the Sony Open, along with reactions to the week’s action at the Dubai Invitational. Gary Williams opens the show with takeaways from Dubai, including Nacho Elvira’s victory, Rory McIlroy’s strong play, and how Shane Lowry narrowly missed out on a win, before turning full attention to three days of play at the Sony Open and how the leaderboard has taken shape heading into the final round. Taylor Zarzour, voice of the Tennessee Titans and host of The Starter on PGA TOUR Radio on SiriusXM, joins the show to discuss who’s contending in Hawaii, who they expect to win, and which emerging players could begin challenging the Scotties and Rorys of the world. Gary and Taylor also take a closer look at Nacho Elvira’s win on the European Tour, discussing his path to success through years of grinding overseas and how the victory introduced him to a global audience beyond Europe. The show also takes a closer look at Davis Riley and other players positioned to make a Sunday run at the Sony Open, along with thoughts on Vijay Singh using his lifetime exemption and what it means in today’s PGA TOUR landscape.

Scottie vs Rory, Koepka Heat, First Events of the Year | Brendon de Jonge & Taylor Zarzour | 5 Clubs

by Carrigan Bain | Jan 20, 2026

Gary Williams is joined by Brendon de Jonge (Wagyu Filet, Golf Central Pregame) and Taylor Zarzour (The Starter) for a wide-ranging conversation on the biggest storylines shaping the 2026 golf season. The crew reacts to Brooks Koepka’s PGA TOUR reentry — including Tiger Woods’ comments on the process, penalties, and how Koepka’s return impacts fields without taking spots away from current members. They also dive into what Koepka’s outlook could look like once he’s fully back in rhythm. From there, it’s a big-picture debate on the Scottie Scheffler run and how close we may be to historical comparisons — plus what a Rory McIlroy vs. Scottie Scheffler duel could look like at Augusta National and Shinnecock Hills. Later, the panel makes 2026 projections:

• Tommy Fleetwood vs. Xander Schauffele — who has the bigger year?
• Cam Young vs. Ludvig Åberg — who takes the next leap into the top tier?
• Jordan Spieth in 2026 — win potential vs. week-to-week consistency

Plus: Dogs of the Week returns, and the crew closes with picks for the Dubai Invitational and the Sony Open.