Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme are on-site at TPC Sawgrass to preview the 2026 PLAYERS Championship. From the course conditions and weather draw to the unique strategy required at Pete Dye’s iconic stadium course, the guys break down everything to watch this week.

They discuss Rory McIlroy’s back concerns, Scottie Scheffler’s surprising iron-play dip, and the type of player who actually wins at Sawgrass, before diving into their One-and-Done picks and sleeper contenders for the week.

With potential mud balls, gusty winds, and the terrifying closing stretch of 16-17-18, this year’s PLAYERS could deliver another unpredictable leaderboard.

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CHAPTERS
00:00 On-site at TPC Sawgrass!
01:20 First Look at the Course
03:30 The “Fifth Major” Debate
06:00 Sawgrass Course Strategy & Shot Shapes
11:50 Weather Forecast & Draw Advantage
15:10 History of THE PLAYERS at Sawgrass
21:00 Scottie Scheffler Form Check
27:00 Rory McIlroy Injury Update
31:00 One-and-Done Picks
47:00 Closing Thoughts

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Akshay Bhatia delivered one of the most electric Sundays of the PGA Tour season at Bay Hill, draining over 144 feet of putts and storming back to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational in a playoff. Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme break down how Bhatia’s short game carried him to victory on brutally firm, “crispy” greens that had the entire field on edge all week.

The guys also dive into Daniel Berger’s incredible comeback, analyzing the encouraging signs after nearly two years battling injuries and setbacks. Plus, they discuss strong performances from Ludvig Åberg, Cam Young, and Collin Morikawa, what it means heading into THE PLAYERS Championship, and why Bay Hill’s setup produced one of the most entertaining tournaments of the season.

And of course, things get chaotic when Judge Jaxon Brown enters the courtroom to rule on the Rory McIlroy withdrawal in the show’s One-and-Done contest.

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CHAPTERS:
0:00 – Bay Hill delivers
2:06 – Golf season is officially back
3:08 – Bay Hill’s greens
4:14 – Smylie’s “Snap, Crackle, Pop” crispy greens rankings
6:47 – Major championship courses with the craziest greens
10:15 – Akshay Bhatia
21:04 – The clutch putts that saved Bhatia’s round
23:40 – Daniel Berger
29:13 – Bay Hill’s intimidating visuals and pressure moments
31:10 – Scottie Scheffler
34:12 – Cam Young
37:04 – Ludvig Åberg
38:12 – Collin Morikawa
38:48 – The Rory McIlroy One-and-Done controversy
47:36 – Ryder Cup
49:00 – Luke Donald’s leadership and Europe’s continuity
50:30 – Could Tiger Woods captain the U.S.?
55:30 - Jon Rahm
1:10:00 – Closing thoughts and wrap-up

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Justin Thomas returns to The Smylie Show (a record fourth time!) for a candid conversation on everything from fatherhood to his back surgery & rehab. JT explains how taking the long view on recovery changed his mindset — and how becoming a dad reshaped the way he practices and competes.

He also retraces the beginnings of his friendly "rivalry" with Jordan Spieth - including their dinner before he won his first major at Quail Hollow, the legendary SB2K16 trip, and more untold stories. Plus, JT discusses his relationship with Tiger Woods, and shares stories about learning from and competing alongside the 🐐

In this episode:
• Back surgery & recovery
• Fatherhood perspective
• Jordan Spieth rivalry
• First major breakthrough
• George W. Bush Walker Cup stories
• Tiger Woods mentorship
• "Short-Sided" with Charlie

Follow us on socials @thesmylieshow ⛳️ & don’t forget to like, comment, &
subscribe for more golf insight ✅

00:00 – JT Returns: Surgery & Florida Swing
01:32 – Rehab Timeline & Long-Term Plan
06:28 – Winning as a Dad (Hilton Head)
11:42 – First Meeting with Jordan Spieth
13:22 – Junior Rivalry
15:28 – Wyndham at 16 Years Old
16:40 – Spieth’s “Did You Shoot 65?” Call
18:30 – Class of 2011 Depth & Late Bloomers
21:38 – Choosing Alabama
23:49 – Walker Cup at National Golf Links of America
26:30 – George W. Bush Story
29:35 – Early Times on Tour
31:46 – “We’re Better When the Other One Plays Well”
32:19 – Dinner Before Winning First Major
34:36 – Advice Before Sunday at Quail Hollow
40:16 – SB2K16 Origin Story
42:52 – From Spring Break to Family Trips
43:54 – Becoming Close with Tiger Woods
54:56 – Post-Win Moment
55:25 – Tiger as Ryder Cup Captain
56:27 – Mentorship & Charlie Woods
66:00 – Short-Sided with Charlie Hulme

#pgatour #golfpodcast #smylieshow #smyliekaufman #golfhighlights #golfrecap #golfpodcast #justinthomas #rickiefowler #jordanspieth #tigerwoods