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

#pgatour #golf #PLAYERS #smylieshow #smyliekaufman #rorymcilroy #akshaybhatia #scottiescheffler #golfpodcast #golfpreview #golfchannel

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

#pgatour #golfpodcast #smylieshow #smyliekaufman #golfhighlights

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

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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

Smylie and Charlie recap a wild Sunday at PGA National where the Bear Trap once again decided the Cognizant Classic. After Shane Lowry appeared in total control — birdieing 9, eagling 10, and building a three-shot lead — everything unraveled at the 16th tee. The guys break down the wind setup, hole locations, and the pivotal swings that flipped the tournament in minutes. They dive into Nico’s composure, his no-bogey weekend, and what this win says about his resilience after a rocky rookie season. Plus: Shane Lowry’s growing 54-hole storyline, Brooks Koepka’s encouraging signs with the putter, Max Homa’s progress, the state of PGA National on the schedule, Bay Hill projections, and behind-the-scenes stories from a full week in South Florida.

Additionally, Gil Hanse joins the show! Seminole Golf Club is often regarded as one of Donald Ross’s greatest works, but due to environmental factors and architectural modifications, the course was in need of some restorative work to ensure its future.

Gil joins to discuss his two-year process in Juno Beach, rediscovering Ross’s original green shapes, and why he's thoroughly enjoyed working alongside Seminole Superintendent Nelson Caron.

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CHAPTERS:
0:00 – On-Site at PGA National
1:30 – Shane Lowry
4:15 – The 16th Tee Shot: What Happened?
8:10 – Nico’s 17th Hole Birdie & Clutch Moment
12:30 – Lowry’s Closing Struggles & 54-Hole Trend
16:00 – Nico’s Resilience & Rookie Season Perspective
20:00 – Brooks Koepka: Putter Adjustment & Players Outlook
23:40 – Max Homa’s Progress Report
26:30 – Thursday Chaos: Gerard, David Ford & Bear Trap Carnage
29:00 – Should PGA National Play Harder?
32:00 – Schedule Debate: Where Does This Event Fit?
35:00 – Bay Hill Projections (Next 10 / Swing 5 Discussion)
37:00 – USGA Venue Announcements (Future Opens & Walker Cups)
39:00 – South Florida Week Recap (Old Palm & Practice Stories)
43:20 – Justin Thomas Episode Tease
46:00 – Jacob Bridgeman Conversation Preview
47:00 — Gil Hanse joins TSS: Restoring Seminole
01:06:40 — Final Thoughts

#pgatour #golfpodcast #smylieshow #smyliekaufman #golfhighlights #golfrecap #golfpodcast #cognizant #shanelowry #nicoechavarria #seminole #gilhanse

Luke Clanton returns to TSS to talk life as a PGA Tour member — the travel grind, gaining confidence, and what he’s learned competing against the best players in the world.

Luke dives into mindset, discipline, training, expectations, and why loving the process is everything at the highest level.

Plus: Stick around for "Short-Sided" to hear what advice Luke would give to future Florida State Seminoles Charlie Woods and Miles Russell!

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CHAPTERS:
00:00 – Luke Clanton Returns to TSS
02:15 – Life as a Full-Time PGA Tour Pro
05:00 – Discipline, Work Ethic & Loving the Process
07:00 – Confidence vs Technique in Putting
10:00 – Tour Pressure & Expectations
14:00 – Learning From Scottie Scheffler
16:30 – The Hardest Part of Tour Life
19:45 – Practice Rounds & Money Games
24:00 – Speed, Fitness & Longevity
30:15 – Goals for 2026 & Mindset
37:00 – Short-Sided with Charlie

#pgatour #golfpodcast #smylieshow #smyliekaufman #golfhighlights #golfrecap #golfpodcast #lukeclanton #youtubegolf

Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme break down Jacob Bridgeman’s statement win at the Genesis Invitational, Rory McIlroy’s late charge, and Adam Scott reminding everyone that elite ball-striking never ages.

From soft conditions changing Riviera’s identity to Scottie Scheffler’s bizarre slow-start trend, this episode dives deep into what actually mattered this week — and what it means heading into the Florida Swing.

Plus: rising young Americans, blade putter debates 😂, and the bigger PGA Tour schedule conversation that keeps getting louder.

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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Opening Banter / Olympics & Sports Viewing
06:30 Genesis Invitational Recap Begins
07:10 Jacob Bridgeman Wins at Riviera
12:45 Closing With a Lead — Pressure Discussion
16:05 Rory McIlroy’s Charge & Season Outlook
22:40 Adam Scott’s Sunday 63
27:48 Scottie Scheffler Slow Starts Trend
33:10 Scheffler Course Fit Debate
37:55 Kitayama, Potgieter & Blade Putters 😂
41:30 Young Americans Emerging Narrative
45:00 Riviera Conditions & Course Identity
47:10 PGA Tour Schedule Debate
50:30 Playoffs, Ratings & Event Timing
53:45 DP World Tour / LIV / Rahm Discussion
57:00 Travel, Points & Player Leverage

#pgatour #golfpodcast #smylieshow #smyliekaufman #golfhighlights #golfrecap #scottiescheffler #rorymcilroy #genesisinvitational #riviera

Haotong Li joins The Smylie Show for perhaps the most laughs we’ve had in an episode yet 😂

Haotong takes us on quite the journey - from growing up in Shanghai, to learning English from Kevin Hart, to playing in the final group of the 2025 Open Championship with Scottie Scheffler.

We also rewind to a wild sequence of events at the Presidents Cup (that has since led to a friendship with Justin Thomas) and playing on Rory McIlroy’s team in the Golf Channel Games.

Enjoy our conversation with Haotong … and a Happy Chinese New Year to all who celebrate!!! 🔥🐴🇨🇳

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CHAPTERS:
00:00 – Welcome + Happy Chinese New Year
02:58 – Learning to play golf in China
06:39 – Haotong’s Personality & Humor
10:00 – WGC Memories + Early Career
13:14 – Royal Birkdale 2017
16:10 - Portrush 2025
18:34 – Losing confidence with the driver
25:33 – Presidents Cup Chaos Story
32:36 – Bathrobe at Wentworth
34:12 – Scottie Scheffler Breakdown
37:14 – Short-Sided with Charlie

#golf #HaotongLi #pgatour #smylieshow #smyliekaufman #golfpodcast #golfhighlights #china #chinese #chinesenewyear #happychinesenewyear

Collin’s performance, Scottie Scheffler’s ridiculous charge, Pebble’s conditions, and the bigger conversation around the course’s place on the schedule.

Plus — Anthony Kim delivers one of the most improbable wins in modern golf history!

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

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Morikawa Wins Pebble Beach
02:10 Why We Doubt Morikawa
04:30 Elite Ball Striking vs Putting Concerns
07:05 The Insane Saturday Round
09:20 Scottie Scheffler’s Sunday Charge
12:05 Anthony Kim’s Historic LIV Win
15:30 The Emotional AK Moment
18:05 Anthony Kim’s Game & Legacy
21:40 Rahm & Bryson Takeaways
24:25 LIV vs PGA Tour Reality
29:20 Pebble Beach & Weather Debate
35:00 Pebble vs U.S. Open Setup
40:05 Scottie’s Putting & Adjustments
48:10 Tommy Fleetwood’s Merch Run
52:00 Golf Tangents & Wrap-Up

#golf #golfhighlights #Anthonykim #AK #pgatour #smylieshow #smyliekaufman #golfpodcast #golfhighlights #LIV #golfpodcast #golfrecap