If you’re a fan of online golf influencers, chances are you’ve heard of Chaz Bowker, also known as “Chazzy Golf.”

Bowker, who is 4-foot4 and plays regularly in adaptive golf tournaments, participated in last year’s viral Internet Invitational — a made-for-YouTube tournament that pitted 48 golf personalities against each other for a million dollar prize, and where every moment was filmed and later released in six parts that spanned 16 hours and spawned millions of views — and gained a legion of new fans with his clutch play.

On this week’s episode of Subpar, Bowker told hosts Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz the story of how he went from working as a chef in a high-end restaurant to becoming an internet golf star.

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Bowker said his golf life began when he was a child, hitting shots with a sawed-off club. When he was in middle school, Bowker realized his size didn’t hinder his game, and he could compete with — and beat — “normal-size” players. Bowker made his varsity golf team as a freshman, and then went to a culinary arts school in Italy after graduating from high school.

After his time in Italy, Bowker worked as a chef for 12 years, playing golf all the while. But it wasn’t until he connected with trick-shot artist and YouTube personality Josh Kelley that his career path really took a turn.

“[Kelley] went on my Instagram Live and said come out and play Atlantic City Country Club,” Bowker explained. “Went out and played, and it was just like a hit. Like we’ve known each other for three, four years and it’s been history since.”

At the time of his first round with Kelley, Bowker said he had about only 4,000 followers on Instagram, but he quickly realized that life as an online personality could be possible and decided to give it a go.

“I was already playing the adaptive tour, and I went up to my chef,” Bowker said. “I said, Chef, I don’t think I can cook anymore. He goes, why? I go, I’m gonna go play golf. He goes, I’ve been waiting for you to say that because I, I believe in you. And he just said, if you ever need another job, whatever, golf doesn’t work out, come right back and put your apron on.”

Based on his success since then, it doesn’t appear that Bowker will be returning to restaurant work anytime soon. He now has more than 168,000 followers on Instagram and 30,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel.

To hear more from Bowker, including the details of his Internet Invitational experience, check out the full episode of Subpar below.

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Evgeni Malkin will become a free agent on July 1 as his contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins comes to an end. While there is no update on the Russian center’s future, he has now made a statement that is generating quite the buzz on social media.

On X, DX Pittsburgh Sports uploaded a video on Friday in which reporter Taylor Haase asked Malkin about his future. In his response, Hasse said he won’t rule out playing for another NHL team if the Penguins decide to move on from him.

Malkin said:

“I want to play in the NHL, for sure, but I know it’s not easy for (Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas). Maybe he wants new blood here. I understand it’s a business,” Malkin said. “For me, I want to play one more year in the NHL. … But if not Pittsburgh, I hope some (NHL) team.”

Evgeni Malkin has been with the Pittsburgh Penguins for nearly 20 years. In his career with the Penguins, Malkin has won three Stanley Cups: in 2009, 2016 and 2017. The 39-year-old is also a three-time first-team All-Star and has done enough to cement his place as a legend in Pittsburgh.

Evgeni Malkin’s ex-teammate predicts which team the Russian will be playing for next year

Evgeni Malkin’s situation with the Pittsburgh Penguins is complicated because, time after time, Malkin has constantly said his future lies in Pittsburgh. However, his recent statement is a complete U-turn from what he once said, and his time in the NHL is now a matter of discussion and speculation.

Recently, one of Malkin’s former teammates spoke about the former’s situation and offered his insight. The ex-teammate in question is Tyler Kennedy. During an appearance on 93.7 The Fan, Kennedy seemed concerned that Malkin was on his way out of Pittsburgh. He said:

“I don’t think. I don’t see Malkin. I don’t know what he’s looking for price-wise, but I’m telling you right now, you can’t let Malkin walk, because you know where he’s going to go, boys?”

Further, Kennedy revealed where he thinks Malkin could go.

“He’s going to Washington Capitals,” Kennedy said. “He’s very close with (Alexander) Ovechkin. I think Ovechkin’s coming back, and if they don’t sign Malkin, who do you think his first call is going to be? He’s going to Washington Capitals to play with Ovechkin, his last year, and that’s the last thing I want to see, the last thing the Pittsburgh Penguins want to see.”

Kennedy believes that Evgeni Malkin’s relationship with Alex Ovechkin could be a key factor in his decision to move to Washington. According to Kennedy, Malkin would want to play with someone like Ovechkin, who has pushed him to be better all these years.