The Smylie Show

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.
Follow us on socials @thesmylieshow ⛳️ & don’t forget to like, comment, & subscribe for more golf insight ✅
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!!! 🔥🐴🇨🇳
Follow us on socials @thesmylieshow ⛳️ & don’t forget to like, comment, & subscribe for more golf insight ✅
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