The Smylie Show

Before Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme get to golf’s biggest news of the past week - LIV Golf moving from 54 to 72 holes - we begin by detailing Smylie’s brutal onset of “dad back” that left him crawling around the house. Charlie then recounts his cathartic return to golf at Hidden Creek - from a rain-soaked finish to a well-deserved steam shower. From there, the guys dig into LIV’s move to 72-hole events: does it help majors performance, OWGR hopes, or brand identity? They hit fan reactions, Rory’s take, player pathways, and why 72 holes might help some stars while blurring what made LIV different. In the back half of the episode, they tackle the DP World Tour dilemma: Rahm and Hatton’s appeals, Ryder Cup eligibility, the PGA Tour partnership, TV product realities, and whether “home games,” nations, or mixed-gender teams could make team golf click. Chapters: 00:00 On the road; off-season check-in 00:28 “Dad-back” hits: stairs, stroller, and full-body spasms 04:59 Crawling the house, bathroom saga, and the recovery plan 07:24 Dry needling, PT, and week-to-week swing timeline 07:50 Hidden Creek trip: first rounds back after surgery 09:51 Birdies in a downpour, finishing 18, and the steam-shower reward 12:50 News segue: DP World Tour wrap, Ben Griffin’s win, LIV headlines 13:31 Main topic: LIV moves from 54 to 72—first reactions 14:16 OWGR reality vs format; the closed-shop and pathways problem 15:38 Preparing for majors versus blurring LIV’s brand identity 17:02 Rory’s comments and field-strength implications 18:05 What would actually move the needle: tee times, relegation, field size 18:49 Why 54 could create different winners vs 72’s “truer” leaderboard 19:29 Shotgun starts, sleeping on leads, and pressure differences 21:22 Everyone backtracks sometimes: gear, coaches, and sports takes 25:06 “54” spin vs holes played; player-lens view on 72 vs 54 26:21 The game-within-the-game over 72 holes; form building before majors 27:16 Major-exemption math and why results at the majors are the judge 33:13 Expectation-setting for LIV at the Masters and beyond 34:19 Shift to DP World Tour: Rahm/Hatton appeals, fines, and Ryder Cup stakes 35:36 DPWT’s position in the ecosystem: partner with PGA Tour or pivot toward LIV? 40:03 Funding realities, TV product challenges, and sustainability questions 41:12 What if DPWT had been the Saudi-backed “strong international tour”? 42:42 US TV windows vs international schedules; business trade-offs 45:20 Team-golf ideas: legends + current pros + LPGA, or nations-based squads 46:47 Nations/home-game model and why fans might care more 47:35 Make it a fun product, not an OWGR product; formats beyond 72-hole stroke play 50:05 Borrowing from what works in modern golf content without breaking broadcast logic 51:26 Tape delay vs betting/live; what matters for engagement and sponsors 53:14 Bottom line: does the 72-hole shift simply aim at better major results? 53:41 Has LIV created a star? Tom McKibbin as a possible homegrown example 55:16 DPWT cards via top-10 pathway; late-season stakes and names to watch (closing)  #Golf #SmylieShow #LIVGolf #PGATour #DPWorldTour #OWGR #RyderCup #JonRahm #TyrrellHatton #HiddenCreek #GolfPodcast

Smylie Kaufman catches up with newly-minted PGA TOUR winner (and card recipient!) Michael Brennan about the whirlwind since his Bank of Utah Championship win: a week off to reset, the celebration at River Creek in Leesburg, and how a painful late collapse in Canada shaped his Sunday mindset in Utah. Michael also breaks down the training he did to reach 135 mph of clubhead speed, the detailed tracking app he uses to strategize at golf courses he's never played before, and tells a wild near-abduction story while traveling to a PGA TOUR Americas event. This is a must-watch for anyone chasing the dream — from junior golfers to aspiring pros. 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more behind-the-scenes stories from golf’s biggest personalities. #Golf #PGATour #TheSmylieShow #MichaelBrennan #GolfPodcast #SmylieKaufman 00:00 – Smylie welcomes PGA TOUR winner Michael Brennan 01:00 – Processing the win and fan support at home 03:00 – Learning to reset after victory 04:00 – Early recruitment and choosing Wake Forest 06:00 – Building speed and power in college 09:00 – Lessons from Rory and Scotty’s swings 10:00 – From average junior to 190 mph ball speeds 12:00 – Winning eight times in college — and the ups & downs 15:00 – Managing expectations and burnout as a young golfer 17:00 – Missing Korn Ferry status by one spot 19:00 – Crushing disappointment in Toronto and how it shaped him 22:00 – The collapse: five-shot lead turned nightmare 25:00 – What he learned — and how it fueled his next season 26:00 – Deep dive: Using “UpGame” analytics to train smarter 30:00 – How data changed his golf strategy 32:00 – Working with his caddie Jeff and modern prep for PGA TOUR 33:00 – Nightmare travel story: “I thought I was being abducted in Rio” 41:00 – How playing at elevation prepared him for Utah 43:00 – Meeting his caddie and building trust on the road 45:00 – Getting a last-minute sponsor’s exemption to Utah 47:00 – Closing it out under pressure — redemption for Toronto 50:00 – Lessons from Smylie’s own first win 51:00 – Michael’s next steps — moving to Jacksonville, prepping for 2025 52:30 – Smylie’s final thoughts & Brennan’s message to fans

Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme kick off this week’s episode catching up on dad life, bedtime chaos, and a wild rant about Brian Kelly’s LSU exit before diving deep into the rise of sports gambling in professional golf — and whether it could ever impact the PGA Tour. Then, Smylie sits down with Mason Howell, the 18-year-old phenom who won the 2025 U.S. Amateur Championship — making him the third-youngest champion in history. Mason opens up about: • His emotional journey from small-town Georgia to golf’s biggest stage • What it felt like to qualify for the U.S. Open and earn a Masters invite • Competing against top amateurs like Tommy Morrison and Ben James • The pressures of high school life after winning one of golf’s biggest titles A can’t-miss conversation about the next great name in golf. 00:00 Dad life updates and bedtime chaos 04:30 LSU, Brian Kelly, and college football chaos 11:15 Gambling scandals 19:10 Could golf ever face a gambling crisis? 27:10 How betting affects players and fans 31:40 Mason Howell Interview 32:00 Life after winning the U.S. Am — back to high school reality 33:40 Growing up in Thomasville and discovering golf 36:20 Qualifying for the U.S. Open at 18 years old 39:10 Competing at Oakmont and learning from the pros 43:15 The grind of the U.S. Amateur at Olympic Club 47:45 Facing Tommy Morrison and Ben James in match play 49:50 Taking down John Daly in a thriller 51:00 Securing Masters and Walker Cup spots 54:00 What’s next for Mason Howell 1:12:10 Smylie’s thoughts on the next wave of young golf talent 1:16:25 Comparing today’s amateur game to the PGA Tour 1:20:00 Charlie’s take: what makes great golfers stand out early 1:24:10 Smylie shares his Masters memories 1:29:00 Wrapping up — offseason plans and what’s next on The Smylie Show 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 📺 Watch full episodes weekly here on The Smylie Show #golf #TheSmylieShow #SmylieKaufman #MasonHowell #USAmateur #GolfPodcast #GolfLife #PGA #Masters #GeorgiaGolf #AmateurGolf #NextGenGolf #GolfInterview #GolfContent #GolfTalk

Smylie and Charlie are back for a jam-packed episode that mixes life updates, heartfelt moments, and golf talk. Smylie shares stories about welcoming his new baby boy, and juggling dad life, while Charlie opens up about his recent cancer scare and recovery. Then the guys dive into the Ryder Cup — from behind-the-scenes chaos at Bethpage to fan behavior, pairings, and why Europe got everything right. They close out with a deep look at Tommy Fleetwood’s incredible year and whether he belongs in golf’s next “big three.” 📺 Watch full episodes + clips every week on The Smylie Show YouTube channel. 🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts. CHAPTERS: 00:00 – Back in the studio after Ryder Cup 01:10 – Why we’re down to one episode a week 02:10 – Smylie welcomes his new baby boy 04:30 – Parenting two kids and full-time dad life 06:00 – Smylie joins the Birmingham mom gossip circuit 08:00 – The pumpkin patch and Halloween debates 12:50 – Halloween costumes for the Kaufmans and Hulmes 15:00 – Family birthdays and dad milestones 15:50 – Charlie opens up about cancer scare 21:10 – Transitioning into Ryder Cup talk 22:00 – Ryder Cup reflections: chaos, fans, and respect 26:40 – How Europe got everything right 29:10 – Course setup mistakes for Team USA 33:50 – Stats, pairings, and the Luke Donald effect 36:40 – Europe’s attention to detail vs. Team USA 38:30 – Tommy Fleetwood’s hot streak 40:10 – Tommy’s year, stats, and emotional win with son Frankie 44:10 – Where Tommy ranks among the world’s best 46:10 – Is there a new “big three” forming? 49:00 – Which 2026 major fits Tommy best? 52:00 – Tommy’s ceiling and next chapter 53:10 – Wrapping up: lessons, laughs, and what’s next #golf #pgatour #tommyfleetwood #dpwt #smylie #smylieshow #smyliekaufman #golfpodcast 

Smylie Kaufman teams up with legendary golf coach Tony Ruggiero — a.k.a. The Dewsweeper — for a lesson that’ll have golfers both laughing and learning. Tony and Smylie dig in to the details (telling a story or two along the way), giving great insight for golfers looking to refine their practice and preparation. Then, Tony turns his eyes to Charlie for part two, locating some problem areas that just might give him the extra gear ⚙️ Packed with great golf instruction, hilarious moments, and real progress — this one’s a must-watch for anyone trying to level up their game. ⛳️🔥 👉 Subscribe for more lessons, conversations, and behind-the-scenes looks with the best coaches and players in the game. 0:00 – Meet Tony “The Dewsweeper” Ruggiero 2:10 – Smylie’s First Swings (Initial Impressions) 5:35 – Tony Diagnoses the Main Issues 9:20 – “You’re Fighting Your Body, Not Your Swing” 12:45 – The First Simple Adjustment 20:05 – Tempo and Sequence 23:40 – Smylie Starts to Click 31:10 – Real Progress in Smylie’s Swing 35:55 – The Difference a Few Tweaks Make 40:10 – Smylie Reflects on the Lesson 44:25 – Transition: Time for Charlie’s Turn 45:15 – Charlie’s First Swing Analysis 47:05 – Common Amateur Mistakes (and Easy Fixes) 49:30 – Tony’s Quick Tips for Consistency 53:45 – Final Takeaways & Wrap-Up #Golf #GolfLesson #SmylieKaufman #TonyRuggiero #GolfSwing #GolfTips #GolfInstruction #GolfCoach #TheSmylieShow #GolfImprovement #PGA #GolfDigest #Dewsweeper

Smylie Kaufman catches up with his longtime swing coach and one of golf’s most respected teachers, Tony Ruggiero — known across the game as The Dew Sweeper. They revisit how their partnership began back in college, swap hilarious “Jingle Bell” tournament stories, and dig into what makes a great coach. Tony shares his journey from broke instructor at the Flora-Bama to a Top 50 Coach in America, plus lessons learned from legends like Butch Harmon, Hank Johnson, and Cam McCormick. The two break down how to actually change your golf swing, the importance of the pivot, and why simple is usually better. Stick around for live swing breakdowns and plenty of laughs along the way. CHAPTERS: 00:00 – Smylie & Tony catch up over steak, wine, and Saints football 02:45 – How Smylie met Tony and the origins of “TPC Sunkist” 06:30 – The Jingle Bell stories & early lessons that shaped Smylie’s swing 11:00 – Tony’s coaching roots and what Hank Johnson taught him 17:00 – From broke teacher to Top 50 coach: life lessons from Flora-Bama 25:00 – Teaching tour pros vs. amateurs: what really matters 32:00 – Lessons from Butch Harmon & why confidence beats mechanics 40:00 – How to actually change a motor pattern in your golf swing 53:00 – Smylie, Charlie & Tony break down viewer swings 1:03:00 – Final thoughts: practice smarter, play freer, and have fun

Sunday at Bethpage could have easily turned into one of the biggest blowouts in Ryder Cup history, but a furious American singles rally turned it into one of the competition's most thrilling conclusions before Shane Lowry clinched victory for the Europeans with a birdie at the 18th. Fresh off the NBC broadcast, Smylie Kaufman joins Charlie Hulme to break it all down while Luke Donald's team hoisted the cup they promised they'd retain after winning at home in Rome. Smylie and Charlie discuss the brilliance of the Euros on Friday and Saturday, the fight the Americans showed to claw back Sunday, and what to make of fan behavior at Bethpage Black. CHAPTERS: 00:00 – Opening at Bethpage & Ryder Cup final score 01:20 – Momentum shift 02:55 – The Viktor Hovland injury/half-point debate 04:30 – Squeaky ducks & fan antics at Bethpage 06:30 – Europe’s dominance vs. USA’s Sunday fightback 08:30 – Fan behavior: clever chants vs. crossing the line 11:00 – USA strategy & partnership questions 12:35 – Singles vs. team play: Americans vs. Europeans 14:45 – Europe’s balanced roster  16:20 – Course setup, bombers vs. grinders, and putting 18:15 – Keegan Bradley’s captaincy  21:00 – Reflections on an unforgettable Ryder Cup Sunday 22:55 – Surprising singles results & standout performances 25:40 – Bryson comeback & JT vs. Fleetwood highlights 27:20 – Justin Rose’s rules controversy & gamesmanship 31:30 – Justin Thomas as a Ryder Cup “dog” 33:30 – Fatigue factor: five-match players and exhaustion 35:00 – Emotional toll & respect for both teams 36:30 – Rory McIlroy’s roller-coaster week 37:15 – Jaxon Joins the show  39:00 – Closing thoughts & outro

Day 2 of the Ryder Cup brought tension, drama, and some exceptional golf. Join us as Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme break down everything from Bryson DeChambeau’s heated exchange with Justin Rose to the electric (and sometimes hostile) atmosphere around the course. The guys discuss the incredible play from Team Europe, the fans, the role of course setup, standout performances, and what to expect heading into the final day. 👉 Don’t miss tomorrow’s full Ryder Cup recap right here on The Smylie Show. Thanks for watching! CHAPTERS 0:40 – Setting the stage: Ryder Cup Day 2 recap   1:00 – Bryson DeChambeau vs. Justin Rose controversy   5:00 – Fan behavior 8:20 – Europe’s putting edge & course setup debate   10:10 – Funny moment: Walking tacos confuse the Europeans   11:30 – Can Team USA still make a comeback?   12:40 – Final thoughts & tomorrow’s Ryder Cup outlook   13:20 – Closing & reminder for full recap after Day 3

Fresh off watching Europe win both Friday sessions en route to a three-point lead, Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme broke down all the action from Bethpage Black - you can watch that episode here: https://www.youtube.com/live/WmpPMEhptc0?si=8AT_0sDD8AVNUS-8 Smylie and Charlie continue their Ryder Cup commentary with some bonus content fresh off receiving pairings for Saturday morning foursomes. We break down all four matches, which group Smylie will walk with on the NBC broadcast, and make some score predictions heading into Sunday singles matches. Tune into the Ryder Cup YouTube channel at 6:30p ET on Saturday night for more live commentary from SK and CH!

It’s Ryder Cup week! Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme get things rolling with trivia, stats, and stories before welcoming Jon Miller, NBC Sports President of Acquisitions & Partnerships, who was instrumental in bringing the Ryder Cup to NBC. From the legendary 1991 “War on the Shore” to today’s global stage at Bethpage, Jon shares behind-the-scenes stories, strategy insights, and how the Ryder Cup has evolved into one of golf’s biggest events. Presented by Johnnie Walker, this episode dives into the atmosphere, the rookies, the captains, and what makes this event so unique for fans, players, and TV. Chapters 0:00 – Intro & Ryder Cup week vibes 2:20 – Johnnie Walker “Spirit of the Cup” kickoff 5:40 – Smylie’s Ryder Cup prep & trivia setup 7:30 – Ryder Cup true/false game begins 12:40 – Keegan Bradley stories & player stats 19:40 – Smylie’s game show hosting flashback 22:40 – Tommy Fleetwood’s Ryder Cup dominance 26:00 – Team USA records & trivia twists 30:20 – More Ryder Cup stats & surprises 34:20 – JT, Cantlay, and U.S. singles records 40:10 – Momentum swings & session breakdowns 49:40 – Europe’s edge in key sessions 52:40 – Rookie impact at the Ryder Cup 55:40 – Conversation with Jon Miller begins 57:20 – How NBC first got the Ryder Cup 1:02:20 – War on the Shore & dramatic moments 1:09:40 – How Ryder Cup TV coverage evolved 1:12:20 – Captains, strategy, and Sunday pairings 1:13:30 – Crowds at Bethpage & fan culture 1:15:10 – Favorite chants & Ryder Cup atmosphere 1:18:10 – Jon Miller’s prediction for Bethpage 1:19:20 – Closing thanks & future live show talk 1:20:30 – Wrapping up: next stop, Bethpage #RyderCup #GolfPodcast #NBCSports #SmylieKaufman #TheSmylieShow #BethpageBlack #TeamUSA #TeamEurope #GolfHistory #RyderCup2025

It’s Ryder Cup week, and Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme are fired up for Bethpage. The episode kicks off with Ryder Cup talk — from Rory McIlroy’s bold comments to what makes the New York fan environment unique — before welcoming Team USA manager John Wood. Wood shares incredible insights from his Ryder Cup experience as a caddie, broadcaster, and now team manager. He breaks down Keegan Bradley’s leadership, Team USA’s prep at Napa, course setup at Bethpage Black, and what it takes to build winning pairings. Smylie and Charlie close things out with DraftKings odds, predictions, and storylines to watch heading into the week. 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Ryder Cup coverage all week long. CHAPTERS 0:00 – Welcome to Ryder Cup week 2:15 – Ryder Cup atmosphere & first-timer advice 6:00 – Rory McIlroy’s bold quotes and Europe’s mindset 12:00 – Rivalries, trash talk & potential drama at Bethpage 16:00 – Dream Sunday matchups: Rory vs. Scottie or Bryson? 22:00 – Interview intro: Smylie welcomes Team USA manager John Wood 23:50 – John Wood on Ryder Cup evolution & team dynamics 32:00 – Keegan Bradley’s captaincy and Bethpage connection 38:00 – Scotty Scheffler’s dominance & Ben Griffin’s rise 44:30 – Team prep at Napa & importance of chemistry 46:30 – Smylie & Charlie break down Ryder Cup betting lines 52:00 – Top point-scorer odds & player analysis 59:00 – Predictions, parlays & Ryder Cup storylines 1:05:00 – Closing thoughts & next episode preview #golf #rydercup #pgatour #bethpage #smylie #smylieshow Big thanks to AHEAD for their support! Check them out here: https://www.ahead.com/ Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app! New customers use code SMYLIE to score $200 in bonus bets when you place your $5 bet! Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. In New York, call 8778-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). In Connecticut, help is available for problem gambling. Call (888-789-7777) or visit CCPG dot org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino and Resort (Kansas). Twenty-one plus; age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. Bet must win to receive reward. Minimum (-500) odds required. Bonus bets expire 168 hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG.co/audio

On this episode of The Smylie Show, host Smylie Kaufman is joined by three-time Ryder Cup winner and 2010 U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell. Smylie and Graeme begin by turning the clock way back to Graeme's college days, where he played for Smylie's grandfather Alan at UAB - and joined many Kaufman family holiday dinners in the process! Graeme then details his experience playing in four Ryder Cups, including the famous European comeback win at Medinah in 2012. He tells some great stories about his partnership with Rory McIlroy, including whether Rory would assume a playing captaincy role with the Ryder Cup headed to Ireland in 2027. Tune into the channel next week for wall-to-wall #RyderCup coverage! #Bethpage  CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Intro and Disclaimer 03:00 - Graeme McDowell joins the show 04:00 - UAB and the Kaufman family connection 17:30 - Keegan Bradley's captaincy 25:30 - Ryder Cup experiences & stories 59:39 - Predictions for Bethpage

Join Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme for full recaps of the Procore Championship and BMW PGA Championship, diving into Ryder Cup tune-ups, team prep, and standout performances. Then, Smylie sits down with Auburn star Jackson Koivun, fresh off the Walker Cup and another stellar PGA TOUR showing. They talk Auburn, Walker Cup memories, what it’s like competing at the highest level, and what’s next for Koivun. Stay tuned for more golf insight! Chapters: 0:00 – Intro & Welcome Back 0:50 – Procore Championship Recap 11:50 – Ryder Cup Team Vibes & Prep 17:45 – European Prep & VR Training 24:10 – BMW PGA Championship Recap 44:15 – Ryder Cup Player-by-Player Notes 49:30 – Jackson Koivun Joins the Show 50:00 – Walker Cup Reflections at Cypress Point 52:00 – Team USA Bond 55:00 – Auburn Life & PGA TOUR Experience 58:00 – Charles Barkley’s Question for Jackson 1:03:00 – Competing with JT & Jordan Spieth 1:06:30 – Goals Before Turning Pro 1:09:00 – Football Talk & Sign-Off #golf #scottiescheffler #smylieshow #smyliekaufman #walkercup #jacksonkoivun #cypresspoint  Check out the Johnnie Walker "Spirit of the Cup" program here: https://www.johnniewalker.com/en-us/keep-walking/clubhouse

This week on The Smylie Show, Smylie Kaufman sits down with NBA & broadcasting legend Charles Barkley for a wide-ranging conversation covering everything from the future of Inside the NBA to the environment he'd create at Bethpage if he was USA's captain. Their shared home state of Alabama leads to Chuck's honest thoughts on NIL, the transfer portal, and the future of his Auburn Tigers and college sports at large. He also opens up about 25+ years on Inside the NBA, the chemistry with Ernie, Kenny & Shaq, and what their move to ESPN has entailed thus far. Of course, there’s plenty of golf talk too — Charles shares stories about playing Augusta with Peyton Manning, teeing it up with Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, overcoming the yips with Stan Utley, and his Ryder Cup predictions for Team USA vs. Europe at Bethpage. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more! Chapters: 00:00 Growing up in Leeds & choosing Auburn 06:00 NIL, transfer portal & college sports 15:00 25+ years of Inside the NBA 30:00 Golf, Augusta, Tiger & Phil stories 50:00 Overcoming the yips with Stan Utley 1:00:00 Ryder Cup preview & predictions #CharlesBarkley #TheSmylieShow #GolfPodcast #NBA #RyderCup #SmylieKaufman #NBA

Charlie Hulme joins Smylie Kaufman live from Cypress Point as the Walker Cup closing ceremony echoes across the first fairway following a dominant American singles performance on Sunday afternoon. Smylie and Charlie discuss the brilliance of Cypress this week and the Walker Cup venues to come, while also recapping a massive playoff victory for Rory McIlroy at the K Club a year after heartbreak at Royal County Down. SK and CH look at the respective fields for the BMW PGA and Procore Championships, and what they’ll be looking for as both the European and American sides play their final tournament tune-up before the Ryder Cup. Chapters 02:54 Cypress Point Experience 05:44 Rory McIlroy's Irish Open Victory 08:31 The Future of National Opens 11:23 Ryder Cup Preparations 14:11 Walker Cup Highlights 17:01 Emerging Talents in Golf 19:57 The Impact of Team Dynamics 22:52 Future Venues for the Walker Cup 25:47 The Evolution of Golf Competitions 31:30 The Role of National Opens in Golf 37:00 The Influence of Team Dynamics 40:10 The Future of Golf Competitions 43:20 Reflections on the Walker Cup 49:00 The Evolution of Golf Venues 55:00 Closing Reflections and Future Outlook #golf #rorymcilroy #irishopen #walkercup #jacksonkoivun #cypresspoint  Check out the Johnnie Walker "Spirit of the Cup" program here: https://www.johnniewalker.com/en-us/keep-walking/clubhouse

Today's ep of the Smylie Show is a "Cup" Double Feature - beginning with some Cypress Point course notes and observations from Charlie Hulme fresh off a Monday look at the course ahead of the 50th Walker Cup. Smylie and Charlie run through some club history and design notes before examining several of Cypress' holes that could be pivotal in match play, concluding with score predictions for USA and GB&I. SK and CH then shift gears, reacting to Luke Donald's captain's picks on Monday that rounded out his Team Europe Ryder Cup side. Despite those six largely being a foregone conclusion, Smylie and Charlie discuss potential pairings and some European foursomes pairs with impeccable match play records. 00:00 Golf Heaven at Pebble Beach 02:16 Walker Cup Excitement and Course Preview 05:30 Match Play Dynamics at Cypress Point 09:25 Cypress Point's Unique Design and History 13:10 The Challenge of the 16th Hole 17:10 The Walker Cup Format and Team Dynamics 28:34 Final Predictions for the Walker Cup 30:37 Navigating the Course: Strategy and Decision Making 33:00 Johnnie Walker: "The Spirit of the Cup" 36:20 Captain's Picks: Analyzing Team Selections 40:35 Debating the Captain's Picks: Merit vs. Competition 43:02 Experience Matters: The European Team's Edge 47:25 Pairing Strategies: Foursomes and Fourball 51:26 Final Thoughts Check out the Johnnie Walker "Spirit of the Cup" program here: https://www.johnniewalker.com/en-us/keep-walking/clubhouse

We have officially reached the week of the 50th Walker Cup - at an iconic venue this year in Cypress Point - and our previews begin with a member of Team USA, Michael La Sasso! Smylie retraces Michael’s journey in junior golf, where he honed his game in North Carolina while growing a social following thanks to a unique swing and incredibly short inseams 😂 We then follow Michael’s journey to Ole Miss, a D1 individual national championship, and a berth on a Walker Cup team at one of the greatest courses in golf. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction to Michael La Sasso 5:10 - Walker Cup Week Excitement  10:20 - Michael's College Journey  15:30 - Golf Drills and Training  20:40 - Social Media and Golf  25:50 - The NCAA Championship Experience  31:00 - Walker Cup Preview  36:10 - Golfing at Cypress Point  41:20 - Signing with Breezy Golf  46:30 - Future Plans and Aspirations  51:40 - Closing Thoughts #golf #pgatour #goodgood #olemiss #MichaelLaSasso #golfhighlights #rydercupusa #keeganbradley #teamusa #golfhighlights #smylieshow #smylie #fedexcup #rydercup

Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme break down Wednesday's announcement of Team USA Ryder Cup captain's picks, starting with the stunning decision made by Keegan Bradley to not pick himself as a playing captain. Smylie and Charlie discuss why Keegan opted to go with Collin Morikawa instead of himself, and whether Rory McIlroy and other Europeans were playing mind games in the lead-up to Keegan's decision. SK and CH also dive into potential pairings, and who they would roll out for the Friday foursomes session which will kick off the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Team Apparel Banter 03:09 Keegan Bradley's Captain's Picks Discussion 06:00 Analyzing the Team Composition and Rookies 09:09 Keegan's Decision Not to Play 11:57 The Dynamics of Team Selection 12:52 Press Conference Insights and Data Analysis 15:24 Ryder Cup Format and Strategy 18:15 Pairing Players for the Ryder Cup 21:26 Final Thoughts on Team Dynamics 28:32 Equipment and Pairing Strategies for Bryson 31:25 Exploring Team Dynamics and Player Compatibility 33:51 Experience vs. Form: Crafting the Best Lineup 38:10 Identifying Key Players for Five Sessions 47:20 Setting the Tone: Importance of the First Day #AHEADpartner #golf #pgatour #golfhighlights #rydercupusa #keeganbradley #teamusa #golfhighlights #smylieshow #smylie #fedexcup #rydercup  Big thanks to AHEAD for their support! Check AHEAD out here: https://www.ahead.com/

Fresh off broadcasting Tommy Fleetwood's long-awaited first PGA TOUR win in 164 starts, Smylie Kaufman joins Charlie Hulme to break down all the action he observed at East Lake, and the massive narrative shift now that Fleetwood has notched win number one. Smylie and Charlie then move down the leaderboard to discuss Ryder Cup implications, and break down the developing four-for-three dilemma that Keegan Bradley faces as we look ahead to Wednesday's captain's picks.  Finally, SK and CH wrap the show with some truly mind-boggling Scottie Scheffler stats, and award their "Player of the Year Podium" - the gold is obvious, but who wins silver and bronze for Smylie? Chapters 00:00 Intro 03:45 Tommy Fleetwood's Historic Win 12:04 Analyzing the Tour Championship Format 21:07 Ryder Cup Discussions and Player Selections 48:41 Reflections on the PGA Tour Season 59:02 Closing Thoughts and Future Expectations #AHEADpartner #golf #pgatour #golfhighlights #tourchamp #eastlake #tommyfleetwood #smylieshow #smylie #fedexcup #rydercup  Big thanks to AHEAD for their support! Check AHEAD out here: https://www.ahead.com/

Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme are joined on the latest episode of The Smylie Show by recurring guest Kyle Porter of "Normal Sport" - check his work out at normalsport.com! Kyle, Smylie and Charlie review the biggest storylines a week ahead of Keegan Bradley picking the final six players who will represent Team USA in the 2026 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. Kyle dives deep on season-long trends to identify why the Americans could be underestimated, and lists the six he'd be taking to Bethpage - along with answering whether he'd pick himself to be a player-captain if in Keegan's shoes. Smylie and Charlie open the episode reviewing a 2026 PGA TOUR schedule that looks somewhat different from season's past, and look ahead to the 2025 playoff finale at East Lake, making their picks for the eventual TOUR Champion. Thanks for tuning in, and as always, like and subscribe for more golf insights! 00:00 - Intro 01:30 - 2026 PGA Tour Schedule 10:00 - New Events 13:40 - Kyle Porter joins the show 18:45 - Keegan's Dilemma 24:00 - Team USA predictions 28:00 - Team Europe predictions 36:00 - The Ryder Cup excitement 49:00 - New TOUR Championship format? 53:00 - Future of the Playoffs 57:00 - Farewell #AHEADpartner #golf #pgatour #golfhighlights #justinrose #jjspaun #tommyfleetwood #smylieshow #smylie #fedexcup #rydercup  Big thanks to AHEAD for their support! Check AHEAD out here: https://www.ahead.com/