274: 18-Year-Old U.S. Am Champ Mason Howell On Walker Cup at Cypress Point + Masters Invitation

With just one week remaining in the PGA TOUR regular season before the FedEx Cup playoffs begin, Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme discuss Kurt Kitayama’s win at the 3M Open, Joaquin Niemann’s win on LIV, and where strong weeks for Jake Knapp and Chris Gotterup position them for Team USA Ryder Cup picks. Producer Jaxon Brown joins for his first extended show cameo to give his boots-on-the-ground report from TPC Twin Cities, and recaps his favorite moments from Happy Gilmore 2 with Smylie. Finally, Charlie brings some group chat beef to the show, as rumors that his North Carolina Tar Heels will join Smylie’s LSU Tigers in the SEC are heating up. Chapters 00:00 Introduction  05:00 Kurt Kitiyama's Victory and Its Implications 13:05 Joaquin Neimann 20:56 Jake Knapp 26:52 Ryder Cup Considerations and Player Rankings 29:24 Ryder Cup Team Dynamics 33:04 Player Performances and FedEx Cup Standings 36:57 Emerging Talents and Expectations 43:28 On-the-Ground Insights from TPC Twin Cities 48:37 Happy Gilmore 2: A Review 53:08 North Carolina's Potential SEC Move?! Big thanks to AHEAD for their support! Check AHEAD out here: https://www.ahead.com/ #golfhighlights #pgatour #3mopen #golf #rydercup #fedexcup #smylieshow

28 Juli 1h 1min

While we've sadly wrapped up the 2025 major season - where did the time go?? - Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme take a look back at the year's biggest golf tournaments to relive their favorite memories, compare their preseason picks to the actual winners, and analyze who over- and underperformed. Smylie and Charlie also take a way-too-early look at the 2026 major slate, discuss venues, and make some predictions as to who will take home the hardware. Let's hear your predictions in the comments! Chapters 00:00 The Aftermath of the 2025 Major Season 04:29 The Masters 20:35 PGA Championship 32:18 US Open  44:08 Memorable Moments from the Major Season 47:16 Looking Ahead to 2026: Major Predictions 52:51 Evaluating Player Performances in Major Championships 57:36 The Impact of Live Golf on Major Competitions 01:07:44 2026 Major Championship Odds and Predictions Big thanks to AHEAD and ShipSticks for their support! Check AHEAD out here: https://www.ahead.com/ Use promo code SMYLIE on ShipSticks or this link for 20% off: https://www.shipsticks.com/?utm_source=smylie&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ss_acq_pod_0_smylie2025

23 Juli 1h 23min

Scottie Scheffler cruised to his fourth major title on Sunday at Royal Portrush, in the *exact same* timeframe that it took Tiger Woods to win his first four majors. Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme discuss Scottie's ascent to the undisputed best player on the planet, examine statistics framing him as the closest thing we've seen to prime Tiger, and hear quotes from Jordan Spieth and Xander Schauffele about Scottie's mindset and intimidation factor. SK and CH briefly look ahead to wonder ... could Scottie complete his career Grand Slam at Shinnecock Hills in 2026 ... on Father's Day ... which also happens to be his 30th birthday??? The script writes itself! Smylie and Charlie also offer a toast to the 2025 major season, discuss the day that failed to materialize for Rory McIlroy, and Bryson DeChambeau's incredible surge and mental fortitude to play Friday through Sunday at 16-under after shooting 78 on Thursday, while also reading quotes from Wyndham Clark in the wake of recent news about his ban from Oakmont. Chapters: 01:19 Major Season Reflections 02:35 Scottie Scheffler's Dominance 04:21 Comparing Scottie to Tiger Woods 11:20 Statistical Comparisons with Tiger 14:30 Scottie's Unique Playing Style 18:42 The Importance of Mindset 23:09 Scottie's Priorities 31:29 FedEx Cup 36:28 Rory McIlroy's Performance 44:15 Wyndham Clark 50:20 Bryson DeChambeau's Comeback 01:01:15 Looking Ahead Big thanks to AHEAD and ShipSticks for their support! Check AHEAD out here: https://www.ahead.com/ Use promo code SMYLIE on ShipSticks or this link for 20% off: https://www.shipsticks.com/?utm_source=smylie&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ss_acq_pod_0_smylie2025

20 Juli 1h 8min

Moving Day at the 153rd Open Championship was everything we could have hoped for, and more! Smylie Kaufman spent the day listening to     roars (RORS?) echoing across Northern Ireland, as their native son Rory McIlroy mounted a charge that sees him in the penultimate group on Sunday. Smylie joins Charlie Hulme to explore any possible scenario that doesn't see Scottie Scheffler hoisting the Claret Jug, as the World No. 1 holds a four-shot lead, and has executed his gameplan to perfection at Royal Portrush. SK gives his notes on Haotong Li after watching him post a two-under 69 on Saturday to join Scottie in the final group, while exploring the possibility that two current Ryder Cup outsiders - Matt Fitzpatrick and Chris Gotterup - could find their way onto their respective teams with a top-five finish. Hear Smylie's predictions on the winning score and how it all could play out on Sunday at the Open, and join us here tomorrow for a full recap of the final major of 2025! Chapters 00:30 Recapping Moving Day at the Open Championship 02:38 Rory McIlroy's Performance and Crowd Energy 05:22 Scottie Scheffler's Dominance and Strategy 08:27 Haotong Li and Matt Fitzpatrick's Challenges 10:59 Ryder Cup Implications and Player Insights 13:42 Weather Forecast and Scoring Predictions 16:43 Final Thoughts and Predictions for Sunday

19 Juli 27min

Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme recap an eventful Friday from Royal Portrush - a two-shot penalty for a moving ball, bats in the studio, and an untimely hot mic situation! The highlight of the day on the course was World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler posting 64 to head into the weekend with a one-shot lead. Smylie and Charlie discuss whether it's more likely that other players make their way back into the fold, or Scottie runs away with it to win his fourth major, leaving him a U.S. Open title away from a career Grand Slam. SK and CH also discuss the performances of Brian Harman, Tyrrell Hatton, and Harris English, and touch on a Sky Sports report that Keegan Bradley will be on the USA Ryder Cup team with Jim Furyk acting as a de facto captain while Keegan plays. Join us right back here tomorrow for a full recap of the third round of the 153rd Open Championship! Chapters 00:30 Introduction 05:05 Scotty Scheffler's Performance and Strategy 09:38 Matthew Fitzpatrick 11:47 Other Contenders and Course Challenges 15:00 Ryder Cup Discussions and Team Dynamics 17:01 Looking Ahead to the Weekend

18 Juli 20min

Smylie Kaufman heads straight from the 18th hole at Royal Portrush with thoughts on Thursday at the Open Championship, breaking down all the action with Charlie Hulme. Smylie followed the Scottie Scheffler/Shane Lowry/Collin Morikawa group in the morning, witnessing the World No. 1 get off to a hot start in pursuit of the third leg of a career Grand Slam.  In the afternoon, SK walked with the Bryson DeChambeau/Justin Rose/Robert MacIntyre group, as Bryson struggled en route to a seven-over 78. SK and CH break down the changing conditions at Portrush throughout Thursday's round, and take a look at the forecast and cut line to see if a specific wave will benefit from the Friday outlook.  Join us right back here tomorrow for a full recap of the second round of the 153rd Open Championship! Chapters: 00:30 Weather Conditions and Course Challenges 02:34 Player Performance Insights 05:41 Crowd Atmosphere and Engagement 08:20 Bryson DeChambeau's Struggles 11:18 Forecast and Future Rounds 14:00 Rory McIlroy's Performance and Strategy

17 Juli 19min

Fresh off a first look at Royal Portrush ahead of his broadcast duties for NBC, Smylie Kaufman joins Charlie Hulme to break down the formula he sees for success at the 153rd Open Championship. Smylie and Charlie react to a surprising and profound answer on fulfillment in golf from world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, assess the gameplan for hometown favorite Rory McIlroy, and recount some hilarious stories from SK's walk alongside Bryson DeChambeau as he preps for a major in his own very unique style. Don't forget to stick around til the end to see who Smylie and Charlie are taking with their one-and-done picks this week - and come right back to the channel for daily recaps from the Open with SK fresh off the course! Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to a Major Championship Edition of the Smylie Show! 02:40 Smylie and Charlie's travel woes this week 07:01 Smylie's Royal Portrush course insights 14:16 Which player profile fits Portrush best? 24:30 Scottie Scheffler's comments on fulfillment in golf 34:36 Rory McIlroy's game plan 38:55 Perfect fit for Jon Rahm? 40:25 Smylie's walk with Bryson DeChambeau 48:04 Evaluating Other Contenders for the Open Championship 1:00:00 Open Championship One-and-Done Picks! Big thanks to AHEAD for their support! Check them out here: https://www.ahead.com/ Enter the 2025 Dream Ireland Golf Getaway Sweepstakes by ShipSticks: https://www.shipsticks.com/sweeps/ireland-dreamgolfgetaway Use promo code SMYLIE or this link for 20% off: https://www.shipsticks.com/?utm_source=smylie&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ss_acq_pod_0_smylie2025

16 Juli 1h 3min

The Smylie Show is on the road this week! Smylie Kaufman joins from the airport after a fun week in Tahoe, with Charlie Hulme on a quick trip to Ponte Vedra Beach. SK and CH begin the show recapping Chris Gotterup's breakthrough win at the Scottish Open, and whether he can complement his skill driving the ball with more complete performances like what we saw in North Berwick to take his game to the next level. After a near miss and a T2 in Scotland, Smylie and Charlie discuss a more relaxed looking Rory McIlroy, and where that positions him heading into a home game at Royal Portrush. Brandel Chamblee then joins Smylie to close the episode with a wide-ranging first look at the Open Championship, both previewing the 153rd edition and discussing whether some historic anchor sites like the Old Course can stand up to the increasing impact of technology on the game. Brandel closes with some analysis and predictions on who could emerge victorious at Portrush. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction and Highlights from Tahoe 05:45 Chris Gotterup's Breakthrough Win 08:23 Rory McIlroy's Performance and Mental Game 11:22 The Evolution of Golf and Player Profiles 13:53 Bifurcation of Golf Rules and Equipment 16:54 The Role of Data in Golf Analysis 24:30 Brandel Chamblee joins the show 26:30 Bifurcation 40:24 The Intersection of Data and Storytelling in Golf TV 43:07 The Challenge of Analyzing Tiger Woods 47:39 The Impact of Tiger Woods on Golf's Financial Landscape 48:01 The Risks of Swing Changes: A Look at Current Players 52:19 The Role of Teaching in Golf 01:02:28 Scottie Scheffler 01:10:00 Rory McIlroy 01:14:56 Open Championship Predictions Big thanks to AHEAD for their support! Check them out here: https://www.ahead.com/ Enter the 2025 Dream Ireland Golf Getaway Sweepstakes by ShipSticks: https://www.shipsticks.com/sweeps/ireland-dreamgolfgetaway Use promo code SMYLIE or this link for 20% off: https://www.shipsticks.com/?utm_source=smylie&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ss_acq_pod_0_smylie2025

14 Juli 1h 25min