275: From PGA Tour Americas heartbreak to PGA Tour win: Michael Brennan on his journey to victory in Utah

PGA Tour winner and the 12th-ranked player in the world, Sahith Theegala, joins Smylie Kaufman for a wide-ranging conversation that begins with his love for breakfast burritos and the game of chess. After discussing Sahith's various chess strategies, he and Smylie move to a discussion about how that mindset impacts the way he plays golf. Sahith breaks down his course management strategy depending on the nature of the competition, and also analyzes swing changes he's made in the past year. Along the way, Sahith - in the most lighthearted and grateful way possible - lists a series of grievances he has with PGA Tour life. 00:00:12 What he's up to on his off week 00:02:28 His go-to food/coffee spot at home 00:04:04 Discussing "Java Burrito" in Hilton Head 00:05:56 Sahith's skill and love for the game of chess 00:13:26 Comparing chess and golf strategy 00:15:27 Visualizing good golf shots 00:21:51 Finding a way to shoot a score without your best stuff 00:26:56 The game strategy involved in choosing targets for approach shots 00:30:10 Keeping your "team" consistent upon arriving on the PGA Tour 00:34:13 Sahith goes on a metal spikes rant! 00:36:45 How does match play strategy differ from stroke play 00:40:50 How much space has the Presidents Cup occupied in Sahith's mind this year 00:47:32 Breaking down Sahith's swing changes in the past year 00:53:16 Discussing the leap Sahith has made since arriving on Tour, and his goals for the future

2 Maj 20241h 1min

(Re-teeing after a big hiya miss with our first pod audio upload) This week's Zurich Classic recap immediately goes off the rails thanks to Rory McIlroy's rousing rendition of "Don't Stop Believin" in celebration of a playoff win with his partner Shane Lowry. Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme grade that karaoke performance, compare the PGA Tour's team event in New Orleans with a thrilling team finish for LIV Golf in Australia, and use the week's action as a jumping-off point to discuss ways in which the two league concepts could be combined to best suit fan interests. Finally, in an act of immersion therapy, Smylie and Charlie check into the "Hiya Hotel" to break down their recent play on the golf course.

29 Apr 20241h 16min

It's a TSS Double Feature! First, Smylie Kaufman is joined by Justin Thomas - ahead of their trip to Pine Valley - to discuss his recent caddie change, Scottie Scheffler's dominance, and looking forward to the PGA Championship in his hometown of Louisville at Valhalla. Then, Smylie joins Charlie Hulme from the Philadelphia airport to recap the PV trip - starting with Rickie Fowler's ace at the third hole!   02:43 Welcome back to Justin Thomas, our first recurring guest! 03:25 Justin tells a great Kevin Kisner story from this past weekend in Hilton Head 07:59 JT & SK preview the Pine Valley trip they're about to embark on 10:12 Justin discusses his first few weeks with Matt Minister as his new caddie 11:25 JT discusses the mental hurdles he's faced this year 13:22 What is Justin working on right now 15:52 Does JT leaderboard watch during tournaments? 17:53 Discussing Scottie Scheffler's consistency off the tee 19:10 Emphasis on putting work the past few years 20:21 Competing with Scottie Scheffler + the art of winning 25:38 Playing the PGA Championship at home in Louisville 27:02 Impressions of Valhalla ahead of PGA Championship 28:27 What would JT say is his most impressive win? 30:45 Which event will Justin play next?

25 Apr 202451min

In the wake of yet *another* Scottie Scheffler win - this perhaps the most improbable of all on a short turnaround after his victory at the Masters - Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme try to find terms to describe Scottie’s brilliance on the course that haven’t already been used during his four-wins-in-five-starts run. Smylie and Charlie theorize as to what’s being done to market Scottie off the course, and whether there are creative ways to capture his grounded personality in a way that connects with fans. SK and CH compare Scottie’s run to the only golfer on the planet who is in hotter form than he is - Nelly Korda - after her *fifth* win in five starts at the first major of the LPGA season. All that + Miles Russell’s historic feat, Smylie’s big golf trip, and another addition to the Smylie Show gnome family.

22 Apr 20241h 11min

We have a tasty Dude Perfect sandwich for you! (which makes the RBC Heritage preview the buns? I dunno). Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme begin by moving from a thrilling Masters week to a preview of the next stop on the PGA TOUR calendar, the signature event at Harbour Town Golf Links. SK then catches up with Tyler Toney and Garrett Hilbert of Dude Perfect, who were in Augusta to watch the first major of 2024. Finally, Smylie and Charlie make their much anticipated one-and-done picks while riding a five-for-their-last-eight heater (although they are officially out of Scottie Scheffler usages).

17 Apr 202456min

The 2024 Masters is officially in the books, Scottie Scheffler notches his third win in four starts, and most importantly, the one-and-done heater is alive and well as SK's pick means The Smylie Show has now correctly chosen five of the last eight event winners. Smylie Kaufman, Charlie Hulme, and Larry the Gnome go through a timeline of the action at the year's first major, and wonder if Ludvig Aberg will become the foil to Scottie that pro golf so desperately needs. After a well-deserved pizza break, Smylie and Charlie return to draft teams of the best players who haven't won a major.

15 Apr 202458min

After an incredibly entertaining end to Saturday's play at the 2024 Masters, Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme announce some HUGE breaking news about a new addition to the show (editor's note: it is both literally and figuratively not huge). Smylie & Charlie break down the all the storylines setting up for a thrilling Masters Sunday, starting at the top with 54-hole leader Scottie Scheffler, and working through the rest of a stacked leaderboard including Collin Morikawa, Max Homa, Ludvig Aberg, Bryson DeChambeau, and Xander Schauffele. Finally, SK & CH end the show with a big surprise! (editor's note: literally)

14 Apr 202429min

Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme break down all the action from Friday at the 2024 Masters - but first, they discuss two separate fast food runs made after the recording of the Thursday journal. Day two at Augusta National featured some of the most challenging conditions we've seen at a major championship in a long while, and SK & CH talk about how impressive the rounds of Max Homa, Scottie Scheffler, and Bryson DeChambeau were to stay tied for the lead at six-under. Tiger Woods made history with his 24th consecutive made cut at the Masters, and Smylie and Charlie break down how impressive his performance was, while also discussing whether he has a shot to win this weekend.

13 Apr 202423min