smylie

After weeks of rumors, the bombshell news that Jon Rahm is leaving the PGA Tour for LIV Golf has finally been announced. Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme listen to some statements Rahm has made in the past two years related to LIV, and react to both his shift in tone and what this means for the future of professional golf.

With the rumored news of a universal golf ball rollback now made official by the USGA and the R&A, Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme discuss the strong reaction to the news on social media and elsewhere, what the actual impact will be in the short and long term, and the PGA Tour's response to those two governing bodies.

Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme break down yet another eventful week in golf's "offseason," with Smylie's live from the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. SK & CH cover Tiger Woods' return to competitive golf after an injury at the 2023 Masters and predict his 2024 playing schedule, discuss the growing rumors that world #3 Jon Rahm will depart the PGA Tour for LIV, and react to the news that the USGA and R&A plan to roll the golf ball back for not only professionals, but all amateur players as well.

Fresh off his win at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa (and quick trip back to Las Vegas to play in the Netflix Cup), Max Homa joins Smylie Kaufman for a wide-ranging conversation covering stories from Max's time at Cal, to memories from his first year of fatherhood. While Max is now the 7th-ranked player in the world, he worked hard to establish himself on the PGA Tour, a struggle he and Smylie shared. Max and Smylie look at swing video tracking Max's progress to where he is now, a place he finds "aesthetically pleasing."

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! And here's something to pass the time as you travel to and from family gatherings...

Tiger and Rory's tech-infused indoor league called the TGL is, of course, delayed a year to 2025. But the other TGL - the "Thanksgiving League" remains very much on schedule. Similar to the original TGL, this league is comprised of six teams - but the roster, drafted by Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme, looks very different.

Make sure to follow us on social media @thesmylieshow and tell us which team is your favorite!

Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme break down an unusually robust docket of fall golf news, beginning with a first PGA Tour win for a star in the making, Ludvig Åberg. News breaks during the show that the launch of the TGL, an indoor golf league founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy featuring PGA Tour stars, will be postponed a year due to structural damage at the brand new venue when the roof collapsed. Finally, Tiger's return at the Hero World Challenge is discussed, including what should be expected from Tiger playing his first competitive golf since withdrawing from the 2023 Masters.

Lance Armstrong joins Smylie Kaufman to discuss a wide range of topics, from his battle with cancer - one he shares with Smylie's producer and co-host, Charlie Hulme - to the complicated reconciliation of his brilliance as a cyclist with the rampant doping that clouded the sport for years. Lance also shares about his obsession with the game of golf, and how it has helped him bounce back from life's low points.

Smylie and Charlie recap the second emotional victory in a matter of weeks on the PGA Tour, as Camilo Villegas dedicates a win to the memory of his daughter Mia at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. They also discuss Rory McIlroy's comments - and Tiger Woods' attempted intervention - on Patrick Cantlay and Joe LaCava. University of North Carolina juniors - and two of the top-ranked amateur players in the world - David & Maxwell Ford join the show ahead of their start in the RSM Classic this week.

Smylie is joined by Erik van Rooyen following an incredibly emotional few days for the latest winner on the PGA Tour. Erik and his caddie Alex Gaugert celebrated their win at the World Wide Technology Championship with heavy hearts, as their friend and college teammate Jon Trasamar processes his final days with a terminal cancer diagnosis. Erik played brilliantly in his last nine holes at the WWT, shooting an 8-under 28 to win the tournament and dedicate the victory to Jon. Erik and Alex then traveled immediately to see Jon, and shares some of the memories made on that visit. Erik's win was incredibly significant for his career as well - he entered the week sitting in the 125th, and final, spot on the FedEx Cup points list that would earn him a Tour card next season, and with the win, he guaranteed his full status for 2024.

Smylie is joined by fellow Birmingham, Alabama native Gordon Sargent, who has already clinched his PGA Tour card as a junior at Vanderbilt via the PGA Tour U Accelerated program. Gordon discusses the special invitation he received to the 2023 Masters and what he learned in his week at Augusta National, his elite driving skill that has already earned the admiration of Tour veterans like Adam Scott, and his wild putt on the 72nd hole of the 2023 U.S. Open that went viral. Gordon also details the decision he'll be making as to whether he'll stay in school for his senior year, or turn pro after this season.

We begin today's episode by recapping Smylie's week in Jupiter getting a sneak preview of the new course Justin Thomas designed alongside Jack Nicklaus - Panther National - and then playing Michael Jordan's course, Grove XXIII, with JT the next day. We then welcome Michael Wolf - aka "Bama Bearcat" on X - to the show to discuss course architecture, and the leak of Golf Magazine's World Top 100 courses list.

Smylie Kaufman is joined by six-time PGA Tour victor, winner of the 2023 Tour Championship and FedEx Cup, and the de facto MVP of the 2023 Ryder Cup - Viktor Hovland. Viktor covers everything from how he got hooked on death metal, to the transformative short game work he did this year with Joe Mayo, to his chip-in (with Smylie's call!) on the first hole at the Ryder Cup.

1:54 Ryder Cup songs + what he's been up to since

5:40 The origins of his golf game

14:02 How he got into death metal

16:41 College years at Oklahoma State

21:00 Early pro years and "Big Three" with Morikawa & Wolff

23:58 Short game work with Joe Mayo (video breakdown)

42:31 Smylie's prediction on Golf Digest pod

47:18 Smylie covering Viktor's Friday AM foursomes group at Ryder Cup

53:11 Playing with Ludvig Åberg

Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme break down Collin Morikawa's first win since the 2021 Open Championship, and whether his win at the Zozo Championship could be the springboard for a big 2024 season. They also discuss Phil Mickelson's comments about tons of players being interested in making the jump to LIV golf, and try to realistically figure out who those players could be. Plus - a former Ryder Cup captain makes a strong statement about whether he'll continue as part of the Team USA backroom staff.

Michael Neff, creator of the GEARS Sports system that maps 3D models of the golf swing, joins Smylie to discuss the origins of his invention and the Tour pros he works with now. Michael breaks down Smylie's swing, in addition to Rory McIlroy, Cam Smith, and Billy Horschel. Check out video of Michael's swing analysis using GEARS now at youtube.com/@TheSmylieShow.

Smylie welcomes Charlie back from spinal surgery (wearing a hilariously large neck brace) and recaps his weekend in Baton Rouge before getting into the golf. SK and CH discuss Tom Kim's third PGA TOUR win at the age of 21, and Lexi Thompson's strong showing before narrowly missing the cut, at the Shriners Children's Open. Smylie and Charlie also continue to monitor Ludvig Aberg's continued ascent, and the latest developments with LIV Golf and the framework deal with the PIF.

Patrick Renna, known by many as "Hamilton Porter" (aka the Great Hambino) from one of the most iconic baseball movies ever made, "The Sandlot," joins Smylie Kaufman to discuss that role, plus the hilariously honest "play a hole with me" golf videos he's been making on Instagram.

Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme recap the latest FedEx Cup Fall event at the Sanderson Farms Championship, which turned into a Sunday thriller with at least eight players in contention and five of them making it into a playoff. Smylie was walking with the final group of Ben Griffin and Carl Yuan for Golf Channel, and assesses the impact that this near miss will have on Griffin's game and mentality going forward. SK and CH also discuss Ludvig Aberg making it into a playoff in his first PGA TOUR start since winning the Ryder Cup with Europe.

Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme conduct an in-depth examination of the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone while advancing all the major storylines forward, discussing: how Team USA's prep could change in two years to emulate Team Europe, if Tiger Woods would be a good captain for the Americans at Bethpage Black opposite Luke Donald's likely re-appointment, and whether the financial storylines swirling around Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele will be resolved before 2025.

Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme discuss the final day of the 2023 Ryder Cup - from the spirited rally that the Americans made in their singles matches, to Team Europe's triumph and ensuing celebration. Smylie ranks his experience at Marco Simone against some of the best atmospheres he's played or watched golf in, and SK and CH discuss further developments in the flashpoint on Saturday night between Rory McIlroy and Joe LaCava.

Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme revel in a roller coaster day two at the 2023 Ryder Cup, culminating with Patrick Cantlay's massive birdie putt - and celebration by his caddie, Joe LaCava - that set off a fiery response from Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry. Smylie details the 9&7 demolition of world #1 Scottie Scheffler and five-time major winner Brooks Koepka at the hands of Viktor Hovland and Ryder Cup rookie Ludvig Aberg that he covered in the morning for NBC. Europe leads 10.5 to 5.5, but SK and CH look forward to the final day of singles matches that could set up a thrilling finish.