The PGA TOUR is changing — but is it changing for the better?

With the fall PGA TOUR season headed towards a close, Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme take a look some big category and card changes on the way for the 2026 PGA TOUR season. Smylie and Charlie take a look back at the 2025 season to examine how differences in points for signature and full-field events played out, and whether certain players benefited more than others in that structure.

PLUS — huge news: The Smylie Show is heading to GOLF CHANNEL beginning January 2026, airing Wednesdays at 9 AM Eastern. Smylie and Charlie reflect on the journey, what the TV version of the show will look like, and how the audience helped get the show here.

Tune in, subscribe, and stick around for more golf storytelling and behind-the-scenes insight!

Chapters ↓

00:55 — The Smylie Show is heading to the Golf Channel!

01:36 — Reflecting on the three-year journey of the show

03:06 — Show changes to look for in 2026

06:05 — Setting the Table: 2026 PGA Tour Rules & Categories

06:45 — Are PGA Points Fair? Full-Field vs Signature Debate

07:18 — The Maverick McNealy Case Study

08:22 — Is Winning a Full-Field Event Actually Harder?

10:13 — What the Data Says About Difficulty

11:45 — The 200-Point Problem

13:11 — Why Signature Events Give Huge Built-In Advantages

14:06 — Should a Top-10 Be Worth More in Full-Fields?

15:16 — How Signature Starts Create Long-Term Inequality

16:05 — Reviewing the Signature Event Chart (Audio Notes)

17:14 — Case Study: Kurt Kitayama vs Hideki Matsuyama

19:24 — Do Signature Events Artificially Inflate Some Players?

20:32 — Chris Gotterup & the “Late Season Unfairness” Issue

23:16 — Signature Events vs Full-Field: Who Really Benefits?

24:12 — How Players Ride Momentum — or Don’t

25:18 — Why You MUST Play Well Early on Today’s PGA Tour

26:21 — Low Full-Field Point Earners: Morikawa, Aberg, More

27:33 — The No-Cut Advantage Problem

29:06 — What the Tour Actually Wants: Star Protection

29:26 — Tony Finau vs Gary Woodland Breakdown

31:43 — Can You Play Your Way Off Tour With Signature Starts?

32:35 — Adam Scott & Max Homa Examples

34:51 — Rickie Fowler’s Special Case

36:23 — Why Sponsors Will Always Influence Signature Events

37:14 — Golf Is Niche — And That Shapes the Entire System

38:18 — What the Top-100 Cut Means for Journeymen

39:04 — The New 2026 Rules: Field Sizes, 120-Player Players, Q-School

41:23 — DP World Tour vs Korn Ferry: Who Deserves More Spots?

44:41 — Should the DPWT Really Get 10 Cards?

47:55 — The DPWT’s Crossroads: PGA Tour vs LIV

49:45 — Reviewing This Year’s DPWT Grads

52:02 — The Challenge of Jumping from Europe to the PGA Tour

54:07 — Breaking Down the 101–150 Conditional Groups

56:14 — Past Champion Category & Where Smylie Would Slot In

57:31 — Tiger Woods Leading the Competition Committee

#smylieshow #pgatour #golfchannel #golfnews #golfpodcast #golf

Before Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme get to golf’s biggest news of the past week - LIV Golf moving from 54 to 72 holes - we begin by detailing Smylie’s brutal onset of “dad back” that left him crawling around the house. Charlie then recounts his cathartic return to golf at Hidden Creek - from a rain-soaked finish to a well-deserved steam shower.

From there, the guys dig into LIV’s move to 72-hole events: does it help majors performance, OWGR hopes, or brand identity? They hit fan reactions, Rory’s take, player pathways, and why 72 holes might help some stars while blurring what made LIV different.

In the back half of the episode, they tackle the DP World Tour dilemma: Rahm and Hatton’s appeals, Ryder Cup eligibility, the PGA Tour partnership, TV product realities, and whether “home games,” nations, or mixed-gender teams could make team golf click.

00:00 On the road; off-season check-in

00:28 “Dad-back” hits: stairs, stroller, and full-body spasms

04:59 Crawling the house, bathroom saga, and the recovery plan

07:24 Dry needling, PT, and week-to-week swing timeline

07:50 Hidden Creek trip: first rounds back after surgery

09:51 Birdies in a downpour, finishing 18, and the steam-shower reward

12:50 News segue: DP World Tour wrap, Ben Griffin’s win, LIV headlines

13:31 Main topic: LIV moves from 54 to 72—first reactions

14:16 OWGR reality vs format; the closed-shop and pathways problem

15:38 Preparing for majors versus blurring LIV’s brand identity

17:02 Rory’s comments and field-strength implications

18:05 What would actually move the needle: tee times, relegation, field size

18:49 Why 54 could create different winners vs 72’s “truer” leaderboard

19:29 Shotgun starts, sleeping on leads, and pressure differences

21:22 Everyone backtracks sometimes: gear, coaches, and sports takes

25:06 “54” spin vs holes played; player-lens view on 72 vs 54

26:21 The game-within-the-game over 72 holes; form building before majors

27:16 Major-exemption math and why results at the majors are the judge

33:13 Expectation-setting for LIV at the Masters and beyond

34:19 Shift to DP World Tour: Rahm/Hatton appeals, fines, and Ryder Cup stakes

35:36 DPWT’s position in the ecosystem: partner with PGA Tour or pivot toward LIV?

40:03 Funding realities, TV product challenges, and sustainability questions

41:12 What if DPWT had been the Saudi-backed “strong international tour”?

42:42 US TV windows vs international schedules; business trade-offs

45:20 Team-golf ideas: legends + current pros + LPGA, or nations-based squads

46:47 Nations/home-game model and why fans might care more

47:35 Make it a fun product, not an OWGR product; formats beyond 72-hole stroke play

50:05 Borrowing from what works in modern golf content without breaking broadcast logic

51:26 Tape delay vs betting/live; what matters for engagement and sponsors

53:14 Bottom line: does the 72-hole shift simply aim at better major results?

53:41 Has LIV created a star? Tom McKibbin as a possible homegrown example

55:16 DPWT cards via top-10 pathway; late-season stakes and names to watch (closing)

 #Golf #SmylieShow #LIVGolf #PGATour #DPWorldTour #OWGR #RyderCup #JonRahm #TyrrellHatton #HiddenCreek #GolfPodcast

Smylie Kaufman catches up with newly-minted PGA TOUR winner (and card recipient!) Michael Brennan about the whirlwind since his Bank of Utah Championship win: a week off to reset, the celebration at River Creek in Leesburg, and how a painful late collapse in Canada shaped his Sunday mindset in Utah.

Michael also breaks down the training he did to reach 135 mph of clubhead speed, the detailed tracking app he uses to strategize at golf courses he's never played before, and tells a wild near-abduction story while traveling to a PGA TOUR Americas event.

This is a must-watch for anyone chasing the dream — from junior golfers to aspiring pros.

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more behind-the-scenes stories from golf’s biggest personalities.

#Golf #PGATour #TheSmylieShow #MichaelBrennan #GolfPodcast #SmylieKaufman

00:00 – Smylie welcomes PGA TOUR winner Michael Brennan
01:00 – Processing the win and fan support at home
03:00 – Learning to reset after victory
04:00 – Early recruitment and choosing Wake Forest
06:00 – Building speed and power in college
09:00 – Lessons from Rory and Scotty’s swings
10:00 – From average junior to 190 mph ball speeds
12:00 – Winning eight times in college — and the ups & downs
15:00 – Managing expectations and burnout as a young golfer
17:00 – Missing Korn Ferry status by one spot
19:00 – Crushing disappointment in Toronto and how it shaped him
22:00 – The collapse: five-shot lead turned nightmare
25:00 – What he learned — and how it fueled his next season
26:00 – Deep dive: Using “UpGame” analytics to train smarter
30:00 – How data changed his golf strategy
32:00 – Working with his caddie Jeff and modern prep for PGA TOUR
33:00 – Nightmare travel story: “I thought I was being abducted in Rio”
41:00 – How playing at elevation prepared him for Utah
43:00 – Meeting his caddie and building trust on the road
45:00 – Getting a last-minute sponsor’s exemption to Utah
47:00 – Closing it out under pressure — redemption for Toronto
50:00 – Lessons from Smylie’s own first win
51:00 – Michael’s next steps — moving to Jacksonville, prepping for 2025
52:30 – Smylie’s final thoughts & Brennan’s message to fans

Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme kick off this week’s episode catching up on dad life, bedtime chaos, and a wild rant about Brian Kelly’s LSU exit before diving deep into the rise of sports gambling in professional golf — and whether it could ever impact the PGA Tour.

Then, Smylie sits down with Mason Howell, the 18-year-old phenom who won the 2025 U.S. Amateur Championship — making him the third-youngest champion in history. Mason opens up about:
• His emotional journey from small-town Georgia to golf’s biggest stage
• What it felt like to qualify for the U.S. Open and earn a Masters invite
• Competing against top amateurs like Tommy Morrison and Ben James
• The pressures of high school life after winning one of golf’s biggest titles

A can’t-miss conversation about the next great name in golf.

00:00 Dad life updates and bedtime chaos
04:30 LSU, Brian Kelly, and college football chaos
11:15 Gambling scandals
19:10 Could golf ever face a gambling crisis?
27:10 How betting affects players and fans
31:40 Mason Howell Interview
32:00 Life after winning the U.S. Am — back to high school reality
33:40 Growing up in Thomasville and discovering golf
36:20 Qualifying for the U.S. Open at 18 years old
39:10 Competing at Oakmont and learning from the pros
43:15 The grind of the U.S. Amateur at Olympic Club
47:45 Facing Tommy Morrison and Ben James in match play
49:50 Taking down John Daly in a thriller
51:00 Securing Masters and Walker Cup spots
54:00 What’s next for Mason Howell
1:12:10 Smylie’s thoughts on the next wave of young golf talent
1:16:25 Comparing today’s amateur game to the PGA Tour
1:20:00 Charlie’s take: what makes great golfers stand out early
1:24:10 Smylie shares his Masters memories
1:29:00 Wrapping up — offseason plans and what’s next on The Smylie Show

🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 📺 Watch full episodes weekly here on The Smylie Show

#golf #TheSmylieShow #SmylieKaufman #MasonHowell #USAmateur #GolfPodcast #GolfLife #PGA #Masters #GeorgiaGolf #AmateurGolf #NextGenGolf #GolfInterview #GolfContent #GolfTalk

Smylie and Charlie are back for a jam-packed episode that mixes life updates, heartfelt moments, and golf talk. Smylie shares stories about welcoming his new baby boy, and juggling dad life, while Charlie opens up about his recent cancer scare and recovery.

Then the guys dive into the Ryder Cup — from behind-the-scenes chaos at Bethpage to fan behavior, pairings, and why Europe got everything right. They close out with a deep look at Tommy Fleetwood’s incredible year and whether he belongs in golf’s next “big three.”

📺 Watch full episodes + clips every week on The Smylie Show YouTube channel.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 – Back in the studio after Ryder Cup

01:10 – Why we’re down to one episode a week

02:10 – Smylie welcomes his new baby boy

04:30 – Parenting two kids and full-time dad life

06:00 – Smylie joins the Birmingham mom gossip circuit

08:00 – The pumpkin patch and Halloween debates

12:50 – Halloween costumes for the Kaufmans and Hulmes

15:00 – Family birthdays and dad milestones

15:50 – Charlie opens up about cancer scare

21:10 – Transitioning into Ryder Cup talk

22:00 – Ryder Cup reflections: chaos, fans, and respect

26:40 – How Europe got everything right

29:10 – Course setup mistakes for Team USA

33:50 – Stats, pairings, and the Luke Donald effect

36:40 – Europe’s attention to detail vs. Team USA

38:30 – Tommy Fleetwood’s hot streak

40:10 – Tommy’s year, stats, and emotional win with son Frankie

44:10 – Where Tommy ranks among the world’s best

46:10 – Is there a new “big three” forming?

49:00 – Which 2026 major fits Tommy best?

52:00 – Tommy’s ceiling and next chapter

53:10 – Wrapping up: lessons, laughs, and what’s next

#golf #pgatour #tommyfleetwood #dpwt #smylie #smylieshow #smyliekaufman #golfpodcast 

Smylie Kaufman teams up with legendary golf coach Tony Ruggiero — a.k.a. The Dewsweeper — for a lesson that’ll have golfers both laughing and learning. Tony and Smylie dig in to the details (telling a story or two along the way), giving great insight for golfers looking to refine their practice and preparation.

Then, Tony turns his eyes to Charlie for part two, locating some problem areas that just might give him the extra gear ⚙️

Packed with great golf instruction, hilarious moments, and real progress — this one’s a must-watch for anyone trying to level up their game. ⛳️🔥

👉 Subscribe for more lessons, conversations, and behind-the-scenes looks with the best coaches and players in the game.

0:00 – Meet Tony “The Dewsweeper” Ruggiero

2:10 – Smylie’s First Swings (Initial Impressions)

5:35 – Tony Diagnoses the Main Issues

9:20 – “You’re Fighting Your Body, Not Your Swing”

12:45 – The First Simple Adjustment

20:05 – Tempo and Sequence

23:40 – Smylie Starts to Click

31:10 – Real Progress in Smylie’s Swing

35:55 – The Difference a Few Tweaks Make

40:10 – Smylie Reflects on the Lesson

44:25 – Transition: Time for Charlie’s Turn

45:15 – Charlie’s First Swing Analysis

47:05 – Common Amateur Mistakes (and Easy Fixes)

49:30 – Tony’s Quick Tips for Consistency

53:45 – Final Takeaways & Wrap-Up

#Golf #GolfLesson #SmylieKaufman #TonyRuggiero #GolfSwing #GolfTips #GolfInstruction #GolfCoach #TheSmylieShow #GolfImprovement #PGA #GolfDigest #Dewsweeper

Smylie Kaufman catches up with his longtime swing coach and one of golf’s most respected teachers, Tony Ruggiero — known across the game as The Dew Sweeper.

They revisit how their partnership began back in college, swap hilarious “Jingle Bell” tournament stories, and dig into what makes a great coach. Tony shares his journey from broke instructor at the Flora-Bama to a Top 50 Coach in America, plus lessons learned from legends like Butch Harmon, Hank Johnson, and Cam McCormick.

The two break down how to actually change your golf swing, the importance of the pivot, and why simple is usually better. Stick around for live swing breakdowns and plenty of laughs along the way.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 – Smylie & Tony catch up over steak, wine, and Saints football
02:45 – How Smylie met Tony and the origins of “TPC Sunkist”
06:30 – The Jingle Bell stories & early lessons that shaped Smylie’s swing
11:00 – Tony’s coaching roots and what Hank Johnson taught him
17:00 – From broke teacher to Top 50 coach: life lessons from Flora-Bama
25:00 – Teaching tour pros vs. amateurs: what really matters
32:00 – Lessons from Butch Harmon & why confidence beats mechanics
40:00 – How to actually change a motor pattern in your golf swing
53:00 – Smylie, Charlie & Tony break down viewer swings
1:03:00 – Final thoughts: practice smarter, play freer, and have fun

Sunday at Bethpage could have easily turned into one of the biggest blowouts in Ryder Cup history, but a furious American singles rally turned it into one of the competition's most thrilling conclusions before Shane Lowry clinched victory for the Europeans with a birdie at the 18th. Fresh off the NBC broadcast, Smylie Kaufman joins Charlie Hulme to break it all down while Luke Donald's team hoisted the cup they promised they'd retain after winning at home in Rome. Smylie and Charlie discuss the brilliance of the Euros on Friday and Saturday, the fight the Americans showed to claw back Sunday, and what to make of fan behavior at Bethpage Black.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 – Opening at Bethpage & Ryder Cup final score

01:20 – Momentum shift

02:55 – The Viktor Hovland injury/half-point debate

04:30 – Squeaky ducks & fan antics at Bethpage

06:30 – Europe’s dominance vs. USA’s Sunday fightback

08:30 – Fan behavior: clever chants vs. crossing the line

11:00 – USA strategy & partnership questions

12:35 – Singles vs. team play: Americans vs. Europeans

14:45 – Europe’s balanced roster 

16:20 – Course setup, bombers vs. grinders, and putting

18:15 – Keegan Bradley’s captaincy 

21:00 – Reflections on an unforgettable Ryder Cup Sunday

22:55 – Surprising singles results & standout performances

25:40 – Bryson comeback & JT vs. Fleetwood highlights

27:20 – Justin Rose’s rules controversy & gamesmanship

31:30 – Justin Thomas as a Ryder Cup “dog”

33:30 – Fatigue factor: five-match players and exhaustion

35:00 – Emotional toll & respect for both teams

36:30 – Rory McIlroy’s roller-coaster week

37:15 – Jaxon Joins the show 

39:00 – Closing thoughts & outro

Day 2 of the Ryder Cup brought tension, drama, and some exceptional golf. Join us as Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme break down everything from Bryson DeChambeau’s heated exchange with Justin Rose to the electric (and sometimes hostile) atmosphere around the course. The guys discuss the incredible play from Team Europe, the fans, the role of course setup, standout performances, and what to expect heading into the final day.

👉 Don’t miss tomorrow’s full Ryder Cup recap right here on The Smylie Show. Thanks for watching!

CHAPTERS

0:40 – Setting the stage: Ryder Cup Day 2 recap  

1:00 – Bryson DeChambeau vs. Justin Rose controversy  

5:00 – Fan behavior

8:20 – Europe’s putting edge & course setup debate  

10:10 – Funny moment: Walking tacos confuse the Europeans  

11:30 – Can Team USA still make a comeback?  

12:40 – Final thoughts & tomorrow’s Ryder Cup outlook  

13:20 – Closing & reminder for full recap after Day 3

Fresh off watching Europe win both Friday sessions en route to a three-point lead, Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme broke down all the action from Bethpage Black - you can watch that episode here: https://www.youtube.com/live/WmpPMEhptc0?si=8AT_0sDD8AVNUS-8

Smylie and Charlie continue their Ryder Cup commentary with some bonus content fresh off receiving pairings for Saturday morning foursomes. We break down all four matches, which group Smylie will walk with on the NBC broadcast, and make some score predictions heading into Sunday singles matches.

Tune into the Ryder Cup YouTube channel at 6:30p ET on Saturday night for more live commentary from SK and CH!