Andy North is not just a two time US Open champion and three time All American at Florida – he is a living bridge to golf’s golden age. In this episode, we sit down with Andy to relive what it was like to grow up in Wisconsin dreaming of Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, then find himself paired with them in majors with everything on the line. We talk about the devastating knee condition that ended his football and basketball days and pushed him into golf, the back injury that almost kept him from his first PGA Tour win at Westchester, and the raw truth of what winning a US Open really feels like – more relief than joy. Andy walks us shot by shot through Cherry Hills in 1978 and Oakland Hills in 1985, from clutch bunker shots to TC Chen’s infamous double hit, and then into his second career alongside Chris Berman and Scott Van Pelt at ESPN. It is a masterclass in pressure, perspective and gratitude.

If you love golf history, majors and real behind the scenes stories, this one is for you.

Timestamps:

(00:00:01) - Justin introduces Andy North – two time US Open champion, Florida All American and proud Wisconsin Badger – and asks how a kid from Wisconsin chose Florida golf.
(00:02:15) - Growing up a multi sport junkie, falling in love with football and basketball, and eventually helping coach Wisconsin football.
(00:06:17) - The shocking knee diagnosis in seventh grade, two years on crutches, and how losing other sports led Andy to throw himself into golf.
(00:10:58) - Bringing a football and basketball mentality to the golf course, why kids need team sports, and why stepping away from golf saved his mental health.
(00:11:58) - The Westchester win – bad back at Silverado, wife forcing him to New York, Tip O’Neill in the pro am, and stumbling into his first PGA Tour victory.
(00:15:21) - Relief versus joy when you finally win, the randomness of golf, and why great weeks do not always end in trophies.
(00:15:39) - 1978 US Open at Cherry Hills – leading all week, playing with Nicklaus and Player, almost losing it late, and the bunker shot that sealed the title.
(00:19:38) - Why golf’s four day grind is different from football and basketball, sleeping on the lead, and why Sunday is when you are most exhausted.
(00:21:34) - Playing in golf’s golden age – Palmer, Nicklaus, Player, Trevino, Floyd – and what it meant to actually beat his childhood heroes.
(00:24:33) - First full week on tour: a murder in the hotel, two drives out of bounds at Riviera, and then getting paired with Arnold Palmer.
(00:30:45) - 1985 US Open at Oakland Hills – injuries, Tin Cup style disasters earlier in the year, Johnny Miller’s prediction, and having nothing on Sunday.
(00:35:21) - Intentionally aiming at a bunker on 17, outthinking a brutal green complex, and nursing a slim lead home.
(00:41:00) - Tom Watson’s friendship, shared caddie roots, and the surreal chairman’s outing dinner with Arnie, Jack, Trevino and Floyd after the 1978 US Open.
(00:45:35) - Inside ESPN – controlled chaos with Chris Berman, why America loved Boomer, and the easy chemistry with Scott Van Pelt and Mike Tirico.
(00:52:22) - “This Just In” rapid fire – favorite Badger, Florida vs Wisconsin allegiance, Ryder Cup nerves, and the scariest tee shot he ever hit.
(00:54:54) - Why the par three contest at Augusta scared him more than Ryder Cup or Masters tee shots – and worrying about fan safety.
(00:57:00) - Jack vs Tiger on a ten foot putt to win the Ryder Cup, the putts that defined both, and final reflections on a 50 year ride in golf.

Key Topics:

Growing up multi sport in Wisconsin, losing football and basketball to injury, and discovering golf as a lifeline
Coaching Wisconsin football, the value of team sports and how it shaped his competitive mindset in golf
First tour win at Westchester – injuries, Tip O’Neill in the pro am and the strange ways golf success can appear
1978 and 1985 US Open wins at Cherry Hills and Oakland Hills – pressure, bunker shots, TC Chen and the reality of major championship golf
Playing and then befriending legends like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and others in golf’s golden age
Broadcasting with Chris Berman, Scott Van Pelt and Mike Tirico – storytelling, live TV chaos and keeping the fan’s perspective

️ About Andy North:

Andy North is a two time US Open champion, winning at Cherry Hills in 1978 and Oakland Hills in 1985, and a three time All American at the University of Florida. A proud Wisconsin native and lifelong Badger fan, he also spent time working inside the Wisconsin football program before becoming one of ESPN’s most respected golf analysts. North’s unique journey from injured multi sport kid to major champion and broadcaster gives him a rare perspective on competition, pressure and the legends who defined golf’s golden age.

️ About the JustIn Time Podcast:

The JustIn Time Podcast brings you exclusive, in depth conversations with the biggest names in sports and beyond. As veteran broadcasters, Justin brings unfiltered discussions with legendary coaches, professional athletes, and influential figures who share their remarkable journeys and behind the scenes stories you will not hear anywhere else.

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