Saagar Kote
Apple TV+’s ‘Stick’ brings golf and relationships to the forefront with an unlikely friendship between a washed-up former golfer and a young prodigy who has the talent to be the next champion. However, the complexities of their past and present present them with overwhelming obstacles. The previous episode ended with Santi and Elena deciding not to fly home after Pryce apologized to his student at the airport. Santi tells Pryce that he wants a real shot at achieving something in golf and that he intends to play at the Ready Safe Invitational hosted by Pryce’s enemy, Clark Ross. The team, including Zero, decides to hustle and somehow convince Clark Ross to grant Santi a sponsorship exemption at the tournament. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Zero Pretends to be a Reporter
The episode begins with Clark Ross rehearsing a speech, and it seems like he’s not genuinely expressing his feelings. He delivers his rehearsed words at an address to students and aspiring golfers at the Clark Ross Golf Academy. He says his academy is about the passion for playing golf. As he finishes his act, Ross’s assistant June tells him that a journalist named Sadie Fleres from Sports Net wants to interview him for a piece she’s doing on the academy. It is revealed that Sadie Fleres is actually Zero, putting on an act to fool Clark. Looking at the beautiful journalist, Ross agrees to do an interview with her and offers to join her at his own steakhouse for dinner.
Zero pretends to be interested in his company and acts accordingly, faking their smile and slowly laying down a trap. Clark spots Pryce at the bar area and greets him. When asked how he’s doing, the former golfer says he’s doing great and tells the arrogant and rich Ross that he’s in Tulsa for the Ready Safe Invitational. Clark is surprised but says he’s looking forward to it. He also offers to cover the cost of Pryce’s food and drinks.
The rich man joins Zero, whom he believes to be Sadie, at a table and starts talking. Zero asks him for permission to record the conversation, to which he agrees. She flatters him by showering praise and also refers to him as the “Kingmaker” as described by Golf Digest. Santi, who is also present there for the elaborate act, interrupts them and introduces himself by his actual name. He tells Ross that he’s a huge fan and that he wants to be a pro-golfer.
A Chaotic Plan at the Steakhouse
Santi keeps interrupting Clark whenever he tries to have a conversation with Sadie, to whom he is attracted. Meanwhile, Pryce intentionally starts to create chaos at the bar by chatting up the bartender named Danny and being incredibly loud. Disturbed by Cahill’s antics, Clark walks up to him and tells him to promptly leave after finishing his drinks and food. As Ross goes back to the table to impress Sadie, he is interrupted by Santi again, who asks him for a sponsor exemption at the Ready Safe Invitational, which will allow him to play in the tournament. Clark is clearly disturbed by Santi’s behavior despite offering to help him to prove a point to Sadie. Pryce interrupts the situation and pretends to introduce himself to Sadie.
Pryce starts speaking loudly so that the entire steakhouse can hear and accuses Clark of gaining his success due to his tussle with Pryce. He says that everything the rich former golfer has is because of him and proceeds to narrate the infamous incident at Sawgrass, which caused his downfall. He also goes on to say that Clark doesn’t deserve any of the success that he enjoys and is not the better golfer between the two of them. As the loud verbal fight between the two former rivals ensues, the whole restaurant watches it unfold, and out of nowhere, a voice yells, ‘Rematch.’
It is revealed that Mitts is the one who yelled, and Elena, pretending to be a guest, also joins him in the act. Sadie says that it would be incredible for her piece in the magazine. Due to the very public nature of the confrontation and the involvement of all the customers, Clark Ross agrees to a shootout inside the restaurant where they have to hit the ball into a glass. To begin the challenge, Clark shoots very well, but Pryce isn’t as successful. Pryce challenges him again.
Meanwhile, Sadie starts becoming very touchy with Clark. Clark aces the second challenge as well, with Pryce still not executing the shot. Santi starts getting uncomfortable watching Zero (Sadie) getting close to Clark, and the arrogant rich man enjoying it. He interrupts Zero and says that what they are doing is pathetic and embarrassing, and even goes to the extent of calling them a clown. Zero gets overwhelmed by Santi’s comments and spoils the whole plan by revealing the hustling act to Clark and also exposing the true identities of Mitts, Elena, and Santi. They are extremely angry at Santi for his inhumane remarks.
The Ego of Clark Ross and the Redemption of Pryce Cahill
Zero walks away after fighting with Santi again and seemingly endangering the whole plan. Santi and the rest of the team prepare to leave. When Clark finds out that Pryce paid a hundred grand for Santi, he is shocked and asks Cahill to wait. He says instead of trying to hustle him, he should’ve directly asked for an exemption. He shockingly challenges Pryce again for real and asks him to beat him in one hole at an actual golf course. Ross sets the condition that if he wins, Santi should sign an exclusive seven-year contract with his academy, and if his opponent wins, then Santi will get the exemption for the Invitational. The action shifts to a “God’s Thumb” golf course, and clubs are picked at random by the two challengers in an unfair system called “Short Straw.”
Clark gets the better club and shoots well, with his golf ball reaching very close to the hole. Before Pryce can take his shot, Clark insults him, calling him a degenerate loser who lost his kid and his wife. Pryce agrees that he is a loser but says he’s always been the better golfer, and shoots. In a miraculous shot, Pryce hits the ball on the water, and it ripples onto the grass and lands closer to the target hole, making him the winner. Clark is humiliated, and the team celebrates. As they return to the RV, Zero waits for them and proceeds to hug Santi, revealing that they were also acting earlier. Pryce is happy and smiles brightly after having given his student a shot at glory. Zero and Santi stargaze at the top of the RV, declare their love for each other, and share a passionate kiss.
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