On the Tee with Erik van Rooyen

Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme celebrate a historic day in golf: 20-year-old Nick Dunlap, who is currently a sophomore at the University of Alabama, won the American Express as an amateur, the first time an amateur has won on Tour since Phil Mickelson in 1991. Smylie recounts what it's been like watching Nick grow up in Birmingham, and what an incredible incubator of golf talent that city's been with the concurrent rise of Vanderbilt junior Gordon Sargent. SK and CH also discuss whether it's even a question if Nick will turn pro given all the immediate status that comes with a Tour win.

22 Jan 20241h 25min

Smylie Kaufman is joined by a James Nitties - a fellow former PGA and Korn Ferry Tour pro who has found success as a broadcaster after the conclusion of his playing career. James and Smylie discuss all of the Korn Ferry Tour graduates to the PGA Tour, and project which rookies will have the most success in the 2024 season.

19 Jan 20241h 9min

Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme recap all the action from the Sony Open, beginning with Smylie calling shots from the *ocean* in a kayak. SK and CH discuss the thrilling three-man playoff, Carl Yuan's controversial TIO drop, and Gary Woodland's inspiring return after brain surgery. Smylie and Charlie also review the latest news on the LIV Golf front - including who might end up on Jon Rahm's newly-named team - and Charlie makes a suggestion to the Girl Scouts.

16 Jan 20241h 26min

Smylie Kaufman chats with his newly minted "colleague," Kevin Kisner, after the latter made his broadcasting debut for NBC Sports & Golf Channel at the Sentry. Kiz goes into detail on his first week as "media," breaks down what he's been working on in his golf game, and closes the show with one of the more unique Phil Mickelson stories you'll ever hear.

10 Jan 202449min

Now that the 2024 PGA TOUR season has officially kicked off with Chris Kirk's win at the Sentry, Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme address a number of questions, including: whether Kapalua is a good TOUR course, if OWGR changes will lead to LIV getting world ranking points, and whether Jon Rahm will end up on Smylie's beloved Cleeks. Smylie and Charlie also have an in-depth discussion on a restructuring of tours within the tour to better align with player, sponsor, broadcaster and fan interests. Finally, SK and CH discuss Tiger's anticipated announcement that his partnership with Nike is coming to a close.

8 Jan 20241h 25min

In a recent appearance on the "Stick To Football" podcast, Rory McIlroy made hugely surprising comments on LIV Golf after spending the better part of the last year or two criticizing the tour. Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme listen and react to several key excerpts from Rory's appearance on STF, before previewing the 2024 PGA Tour season + what lies beyond for the Tour with expected changes coming in 2025.

4 Jan 20241h 3min

Checking in to let you know we haven't gone anywhere! Just enjoying a holiday break, and hope you are as well. We'll see you with new episodes in 2024!

26 Des 20232min

In their last podcast episode of 2023, Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme discuss a number of recent storylines in the game of golf, including Tiger Woods playing with his son Charlie at the PNC Championship (and perhaps continuing to drop hints about playing the Champions Tour in a few years). SK and CH cover the latest developments in the Tour's negotiations with both a consortium of investors and the PIF, recent comments made by Viktor Hovland, and a group of players upset by the 2024 structure of "signature" events. Smylie also gives some great tips to anyone playing in windy conditions this winter.

19 Des 20231h 25min