Episodes

  • 290: Inside Blades Brown’s Wild Week at the AmEx + Scottie Approaching Tiger Dominance?
    Jan 26 2026

    Fresh off a full week of broadcasting the American Express on the Golf Channel, Smylie Kaufman joins Charlie Hulme to break down the 20th win of Scottie Scheffler’s PGA TOUR career.

    Smylie and Charlie are then joined by 18-year-old Blades Brown, fresh off an incredible week that saw him nearly shoot 59, and star alongside the world No. 1 in the final group on Sunday.

    Smylie and Charlie return to wrap remaining AmEx storylines before closing the show with Smylie’s first-ever earthquake experience (complete with a stunning Smylie reveal), plus a cameo from producer Jaxon Brown explaining the viral phenomenon of exploding trees in extreme cold.

    Don’t forget to like, comment & subscribe!

    CHAPTERS:
    00:00 – Intro / Setting the scene in La Quinta
    02:40 – Scottie Scheffler wins again: what felt inevitable
    07:45 – Why Scottie’s control under pressure is unmatched
    12:30 – Comparing Scottie’s dominance to recent great runs
    17:10 – Why the American Express format continues to work
    22:10 – Early-season trends & players gaining momentum
    27:05 – 🎙️ Blades Brown interview begins
    27:45 – Eight rounds in eight days & managing fatigue
    31:20 – Nearly shooting 59 and resetting mentally
    34:20 – Playing in the final group with Scottie Scheffler
    36:40 – What Blades noticed watching Scottie close
    37:30 – Charlie joins: confidence, maturity & ceiling
    39:50 – Wrapping the Blades Brown interview
    40:00 – Smylie & Charlie react to Blades’ week
    42:30 – What this performance means going forward
    45:20 – American Express takeaways
    48:30 – Field depth & early FedEx Cup implications
    52:00 – Smylie’s first-ever earthquake experience
    59:30 – Exploding Trees
    66:10 – Back to golf: travel chaos & weird road stories
    70:30 – Final AmEx reflections & season outlook
    74:30 – Closing thoughts, upcoming weeks & sign-off

    #golf #pgatour #golfhighlights #bladesbrown #scottiescheffler #smylie #smylieshow

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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • 289: Aldrich Potgieter: Majors at 17, PGA Tour Breakthrough & Power with Precision
    Jan 21 2026

    Welcome to another episode of The Smylie Show! This week, Smylie Kaufman sits down with Aldrich Potgieter to unpack one of the fastest rises in professional golf.

    Aldrich walks through his journey from growing up between South Africa and Australia to winning the British Amateur, playing major championships at 17, surviving Q-School, grinding through the Korn Ferry Tour, and breaking through on the PGA Tour.

    They dive deep into major championship moments, distance control, equipment decisions, working with Justin Parsons, earning a PGA Tour card under pressure, and managing expectations as one of the youngest players on Tour. Stick around for a fun ending, as Charlie joins with his second-ever E9 segment!

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    57 mins
  • 288: Chris Gotterup wins PGA TOUR season opener + reacting to Rory’s comments on Koepka’s return
    Jan 19 2026

    Chris Gotterup opened the 2026 PGA Tour season with a statement win at the Sony Open in Hawaii, and Smylie Kaufman was on-site to call it all week on the Golf Channel.

    Smylie and Charlie Hulme break down Gotterup’s dominant Sunday performance, his driving “superpowers,” and what parts of his game are taking him into an elite category on Tour.

    Plus, thoughts on the future of PGA Tour events in Hawaii, Vijay Singh’s ageless performance, Jordan Spieth’s club tinkering, and quotes from Rory McIlroy on Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour and the future of LIV Golf.

    CHAPTERS:
    00:00 – Opening & Sony Open vibes in Hawaii
    01:00 – Is this the last PGA Tour stop in Hawaii?
    02:30 – Why players love starting the season at Sony
    03:40 – Chris Gotterup takes control on Sunday
    05:10 – Gotterup’s driving power & elite upside
    07:00 – Jupiter move, TGL reps & confidence boost
    09:00 – Shot shapes, fairways hit & closing mentality
    11:00 – Final group chaos: Davis Riley & Harry Hall
    13:30 – When the putter finally cools off
    16:30 – What Davis Riley still needs to unlock
    18:30 – Harry Hall’s week & breakout expectations
    21:00 – Ryan Gerard’s runner-up & Masters momentum
    23:30 – Vijay Singh’s made cut & career exemption
    26:00 – Jordan Spieth stories, tinkering & wrist update
    28:30 – Rory McIlroy on LIV, Brooks Koepka & the Tour
    33:00 – LIV’s future, finances & 54 vs 72 holes
    38:00 – Anthony Kim, promotions & alternative golf windows
    41:30 – Previewing the American Express field
    46:30 – Why top players love AmEx as a season opener
    49:00 – Scottie Scheffler odds & course fit debate
    52:00 – Final thoughts & wrap-up

    #golf #pgatour #smylieshow #sonyopen

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    53 mins
  • 287: Ludvig Åberg on Masters course strategy, Ryder Cup fans, and key swing feels
    Jan 14 2026

    Ludvig Åberg joins Smylie Kaufman to dive deep on a number of topics - witnessing Rory McIlroy's shot of the 2025 Masters from a fairway over, the strategy he employs at some of Augusta National's most pivotal holes, and nearly shooting a 59 at Bethpage Black!

    One of the most talented young players in the game of golf, Ludvig begins by retracing an unusual start to the 2025 season - tons of promise derailed by sickness at Torrey Pines and Pebble Beach, before receiving a redemption shot a month later at the Genesis Invitational.

    Ludvig also details some of the swing struggles he experienced in 2025, and what he's been working on to get to a more consistent place with the full swing, the short game, and even his putting setup.

    Finally, Charlie Hulme joins for a brand-new show segment - "The E9" - to rapid-fire through a series of questions with Ludvig, ranging from golf to anything but.

    Like, comment & subscribe for more golf insight ⛳️ Catch us every Wednesday on the Golf Channel at 9am ET!

    CHAPTERS:
    00:00 – Welcome to The Smylie Show
    00:56 – Life in Jacksonville & offseason routine
    02:49 – Early 2025 season & illness at Torrey Pines
    05:21 – Pebble Beach withdrawal & physical recovery
    07:18 – Genesis Invitational moves to Torrey Pines
    08:46 – Sunday at Torrey: realizing a win was possible
    11:38 – Seven-wood on 18 & closing the tournament
    12:55 – Confidence after the biggest win of his career
    14:12 – Augusta National: second-year advantage
    20:00 – Sunday at Augusta with Rory & Bryson charging
    22:23 – Aggression vs patience late on Sunday
    26:17 – Why pressure situations are the goal
    27:30 – Evaluating the 2025 season as a whole
    29:42 – Swing changes: clubface control explained
    33:12 – Pelvis load, sequencing & power
    36:01 – GEARS data & offseason technical work
    37:06 – Short game growth & wedge changes
    41:15 – Putting setup, Quintic data & consistency
    44:05 – Almost shooting 59 at Bethpage
    46:15 – Ryder Cup fans, chirps & atmosphere
    48:19 – "The E9" with Charlie Hulme
    56:17 – Ludvig's upcoming PGA TOUR schedule

    #golf #pgatour #golfchannel #ludvigaberg #smylieshow #smyliekaufman #golfhighlights #golfpodcast

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    1 hr
  • 286: Sony Open Preview + The Future of Hawaii Golf | Mark Rolfing Interview
    Jan 12 2026

    The PGA Tour season officially begins at the Sony Open, and Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme break down everything you need to know about Waialae Country Club — from course architecture and strategy to which players are best positioned to start the year strong.

    Later in the episode, Smylie sits down with longtime Hawaii golf voice Mark Rolfing for an important conversation on the future of professional golf in Hawaii, the water crisis at Kapalua, and why these tournaments matter so deeply to the islands.

    From Sony Open contenders and course fit to Ryder Cup crowd behavior and LIV Golf movement, this episode covers far more than just a weekly preview.

    Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more, and check us out on Wednesdays at 9am ET on the Golf Channel!

    00:00 – Welcome + Why the Sony Open Feels Like the True Season Opener
    03:30 – Waialae Country Club: History, Seth Raynor & Classic Design
    07:30 – How Waialae Plays: Wind, Bermuda, Angles & Decision-Making
    12:00 – Sony Open Strategy: Where Scores Are Actually Made
    17:00 – Player Fits, Storylines & Early-Season Momentum
    22:00 – Ryder Cup Crowds, Fan Behavior & Where the Line Is
    27:30 – LIV Golf Moves, Career Choices & Tour Fragmentation
    34:00 – Big Picture: Where the PGA Tour Is Headed
    38:30 – Setting the Stage for Hawaii Golf’s Bigger Conversation
    40:00 – Mark Rolfing Joins: Why Hawaii Golf Is at a Crossroads
    44:30 – Kapalua, Water Issues & Tournament Uncertainty
    50:30 – Community Impact, Charity & What the Tour Overlooks
    57:30 – Golf Architecture, History & Why These Courses Matter
    01:04:30 – Wrapping Up with Mark Rolfing
    01:06:30 – Back with Smylie & Charlie: New Year Goals & Mindsets
    01:12:30 – Final Thoughts, Sony Open Week & Episode Wrap
    01:16:00 – Outro

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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • 285: The Future of the PGA Tour: Korn Ferry Class of 2025 | James Nitties
    Jan 7 2026

    The Korn Ferry Tour is producing real PGA Tour talent — but the pipeline is tougher than ever with fewer cards available.

    Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme are joined by Golf Channel analyst James Nitties to break down the 2026 PGA Tour rookie class, including:
    • Why winning on the Korn Ferry Tour doesn’t guarantee a PGA Tour card anymore
    • Which players have true star potential (including Johnny Keefer)
    • What went wrong — and what changes — for Adrien Dumont de Chassart
    • Why Pierceson Coody is a breakout candidate if he settles the mental side
    • The upside (and challenges) of mega-bomber Christo Lamprecht
    • Why golf needs more personality — and who might actually bring it

    ⛳️ New Smylie Show episodes weekly, and now on Golf Channel starting Wednesday 01/14! Subscribe for interviews + Tour insights.

    00:00 – Intro + James Nitties’ 3rd Smylie Show Appearance
    01:20 – Korn Ferry Reality Check: Why It’s Harder Than Ever
    02:10 – Surprises from the 2024–2025 Korn Ferry Classes
    03:40 – “Winning Isn’t Enough” (Cards Are Razor Thin)
    04:35 – What Needs to Change for Adrien Dumont de Chassart & Pierceson Coody
    05:15 – Neal Shipley: High-End Golf vs Missed Cuts
    06:40 – Pierceson Coody: Split Schedules & The Mental Game
    07:35 – Dumont de Chassart: Wrist Injury, Grip Change, New Miss
    08:30 – Why Grip Changes Are the Hardest Adjustment
    10:05 – Knowing Your Miss = Comfort (and Why Two-Way Miss Kills)
    11:10 – Dumont de Chassart Shoots 33-Under (What It Means)
    14:30 – Johnny Keefer Deep Dive (“Keith Dog” Breakdown)
    16:05 – Is Johnny Keefer the Most “Ready” Graduate Yet?
    18:05 – Ryder Cup / Presidents Cup Talk for Keefer
    20:40 – Player Comp for Johnny Keefer (JT Traits)
    23:15 – The New Bomber: Christo Lamprecht
    26:00 – Height, Mobility, Injury Prevention & TPI Testing
    29:00 – Nervous Moments + The “Cold Top” Q-School Story
    31:10 – Power vs Accuracy (and why guys still want MORE distance)
    33:00 – Veterans Returning + Motivation on Korn Ferry
    36:00 – Confidence Shifts: Why Some Guys Finally Stick
    38:30 – Trace Crowe: Injury Timing & Schedule Strategy
    43:25 – Breakout Pick: Pierceson Coody in 2026
    47:20 – Personality on Tour: Why Golf Needs More Characters
    53:30 – Cards Cut Down (30 → 20): Player Perspective
    56:10 – Is Korn Ferry the 2nd Best Tour in the World?

    #golf #pgatour #kornferry #golfhighlights #smylieshow

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    59 mins
  • 284: 2026 Golf Predictions: Major Picks, Rory vs Scottie & Breakout Stars
    Jan 5 2026
    The 2026 golf season is here.

    On this episode of The Smylie Show, Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme break down the upcoming year in professional golf with full-season predictions.

    They dive into:

    - Who dominates the PGA Tour in 2026
    - Over/unders on Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy & Tommy Fleetwood
    - Major Championship previews and winner picks
    - What stats actually matter heading into the season
    - Which stars could break through — and who might regress

    From Augusta to Royal Birkdale, this is the ultimate 2026 golf season preview.

    📌 Subscribe for weekly episodes, tour insights, and player-driven analysis.

    Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe!

    0:00 Welcome Back + Life Updates
    5:30 2026 Season Preview: How We’re Doing This
    6:15 The “Big Three” in Golf Right Now
    9:30 Scottie Scheffler Win Total & Dominance
    14:20 Why Scottie Has No Weaknesses
    21:30 Rory McIlroy: Schedule, Motivation & Expectations
    29:00 Tommy Fleetwood After Breaking Through
    33:25 Major Championship Previews Begin
    37:50 Masters Preview + Winner Pick
    41:30 PGA Championship Preview + Picks
    47:05 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Preview
    52:20 Dark Horse Major Candidates
    55:15 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale Preview
    1:04:30 Breakout Players & Season-long Predictions
    1:19:55 Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

    #golf #pgatour #golfhighlights #smylieshow #smyliekaufman
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    1 hr and 30 mins
  • 283: Brooks Koepka Leaves LIV + The Best and Worst Golf Moments of 2025
    Dec 30 2025
    The final Smylie Show of 2025 is here — and there’s a LOT to unpack.

    Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme break down the biggest golf storylines of the year, starting with the shocking news that Brooks Koepka is leaving LIV Golf, what that means for the league, and how it impacts players like Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm moving forward.

    We dive into:
    • What Brooks’ exit really means
    • Whether Bryson could eventually leave LIV
    • How the PGA Tour might handle players returning
    • The future of LIV Golf as a product
    • And the ripple effects across professional golf

    Then, we close out the year with a fun 2025 Year-in-Review game, debating the biggest moments in golf — from Rory McIlroy's grand slam, to the Internet Invitational, to some hilarious TGL bloopers involving Tiger Woods.

    A mix of serious golf analysis, hot takes, and classic Smylie–Charlie banter to close out the year.

    👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments — who had the moment of the year?

    00:00 – Holiday catch-up, family life & Christmas chaos
    06:30 – Playing golf over the holidays + end-of-year reflections

    13:00 – Brooks Koepka leaving LIV: what happened
    16:00 – Why Brooks was never fully comfortable in LIV
    19:30 – Can Brooks return to the PGA Tour?
    23:00 – Rules, suspensions & politics around returning players
    26:00 – Bryson DeChambeau’s leverage going forward
    29:00 – Jon Rahm’s complicated situation
    32:00 – LIV’s long-term future & roster depth
    35:30 – Mito Pereira stepping away from LIV
    38:30 – Was LIV still worth it financially?
    41:30 – Big picture: where pro golf goes from here

    43:00 – Transition into 2025 year-in-review discussion
    45:00 – How we’re defining the “best moments” of the year
    47:00 – Tommy Fleetwood’s year vs Justin Rose
    49:30 – Frankie Fleetwood & emotional golf moments
    52:00 – JJ Spaun’s Oakmont moment
    55:00 – The Internet Invitational & YouTube golf explosion
    58:00 – Scottie Scheffler at Portrush
    1:01:00 – Why Scottie’s dominance feels different
    1:04:00 – Pressure, greatness & defining careers
    1:07:00 – Ryder Cup implications & away wins
    1:10:00 – Europe vs USA mindset debate
    1:13:00 – What moments actually last 10–15 years
    1:16:00 – Final thoughts on the year in golf
    1:18:30 – Wrap-up & closing

    #golf #smylieshow #pgatour #liv #golfrecap #golfpodcast #smylieshow
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    1 hr and 30 mins