Smylie Kaufman is joined by Ian Baker-Finch - a beloved golf broadcaster who signed off on an emotional CBS broadcast for the final time at the 2025 Wyndham Championship. Ian takes us through his golf journey - from an early TOUR win at Colonial, to his 1991 Open Championship triumph, the struggles that followed, and finding a fulfilling second act in the broadcast booth.

Smylie and Ian also trade thoughts on the modern game, from the progression in golf instruction and the way Ian used to create his own yardage books, to the complexity of the modern game - and whether some of that is unnecessary. Ian also shares his insights on the future of golf in Australia, emphasizing the importance of creating more global opportunities for players.

Check out his book, "Ian Baker-Finch: To Hell and Back," here: https://www.amazon.com/Ian-Baker-Finch-Hell-Geoff-Saunders/dp/1761451642/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0

CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Intro

3:00 - Ian's broadcasting career and final sign-off

5:30 - Career Highlights

10:45 - Transition from playing to broadcasting

15:20 - The influence of Jack Nicklaus and early inspirations

20:00 - Evolution of golf instruction 

25:40 - Challenges Ian's faced

30:15 - Reflections on the Open Championship win

35:50 - The mental and physical toll of professional golf

40:30 - Transition to broadcasting and finding new purpose

45:00 - The future of golf in Australia and global opportunities

50:20 - Closing thoughts and Ian's book release

#AHEADpartner #golf #pgatour #golfhighlights #justinrose #jjspaun #tommyfleetwood #smylieshow #smylie #fedexcup #rydercup 

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On this episode, Smylie and Charlie dive into the dramatic finish in the first round of the Fedex Cup playoffs. From unexpected leaderboard shifts to the intense playoff between Justin Rose and JJ Spaun, Smylie brings an insider look from a scorcher in Memphis. Plus, insights into the players' strategies and the impact of the new course conditions, analysis on FEC rankings heading into next week, and Ryder Cup implications.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

00:57 Justin Rose and JJ Spaun

06:06 JJ Spaun

10:08 Scottie Scheffler

13:02 Key Moments

16:01 Playoff Tension

21:49 Course Conditions and Challenges

35:30 Justin Rose's Resilience and Career Reflection

40:39 JJ Spaun's Breakthrough and Consistency

44:44 Tommy Fleetwood

51:10 Rickie Fowler

56:09 The FedEx Cup Bubble and Player Updates

#AHEADpartner #golf #pgatour #golfhighlights #justinrose #jjspaun #tommyfleetwood #smylieshow #smylie #fedexcup #rydercup 

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Fresh off a trip abroad that saw him win the Scottish Open and place third at the Open Championship, Chris Gotterup joins Smylie Kaufman on the Smylie Show!

Chris details his journey from junior golfer in New Jersey to rising star on the PGA TOUR, discussing early influences, challenges faced during the COVID pandemic, and his transition from college golf at Rutgers to Oklahoma. Chris reflects on his stellar recent play, experiences at major tournaments, and his aspirations for the 2025 Ryder Cup. 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:50 Chris's Early Life and Golf Journey

05:34 Transitioning from Rutgers to Oklahoma

08:22 The Impact of COVID on Chris' Career

10:47 College Golf Experience and Development

13:36 Turning Pro and Early Challenges

16:30 The Importance of Mental Focus in Golf

19:11 US Open Experience and Performance

21:55 The Road to the Ryder Cup

24:35 Reflections on the PGA Tour and Future Goals

Big thanks to AHEAD for their support!

Check AHEAD out here: https://www.ahead.com/

#golf #pgatour #golfhighlights #golfrecap #smylieshow #smyliekaufman #rydercup

Join Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme as they dive into Cam Young’s first victory in a runaway at the Wyndham Championship, what it means for him going forward, and how this could shake up the Ryder Cup selections 🇺🇸 They also preview the upcoming tour playoffs, and tease an exciting episode featuring Ryder Cup hopeful Chris Gotterup dropping later this week. Stay tuned, like, comment, & subscribe!

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction & Overview 

2:31 Cam Young's Victory 

15:01 Ryder Cup Selections 

30:01 Tour Playoffs Preview 

45:01 Chris Gotterup Interview Teaser 

50:01 Closing Thoughts

Big thanks to AHEAD for their support!

Check AHEAD out here: https://www.ahead.com/

#golf #pgatour #camyoung #golfhighlights #golfrecap #smylieshow #smyliekaufman #rydercup

Join Smylie Kaufman as he welcomes Harris English to the show! Harris shares insights from his incredible season, including a win and two runner-up major championship finishes. Dive into Harris's inspiring, challenging, rollercoaster journey from his junior golf days in Georgia to his rise in the PGA Tour, and hear about the trials and triumphs that have shaped his career. Whether you're a golf enthusiast or just love a good comeback story, this episode is packed with inspiration and behind-the-scenes stories from the no. 8 ranked golfer in the world!

CHAPTERS:

Intro - 0:00

Harris's Early Days in Georgia - 2:15

Junior Golf Experiences - 5:30

College Golf and Transition to Professional - 10:45

Challenges on the PGA Tour - 18:00

Major Achievements and Wins - 25:20

Ryder Cup Experience - 32:10

Overcoming Injuries and Setbacks - 40:00

Current Season Highlights - 47:30

Closing Thoughts and Future Goals - 55:00

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

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!

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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!

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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

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