The Smylie Show

Fresh off his win at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa (and quick trip back to Las Vegas to play in the Netflix Cup), Max Homa joins Smylie Kaufman for a wide-ranging conversation covering stories from Max's time at Cal, to memories from his first year of fatherhood. While Max is now the 7th-ranked player in the world, he worked hard to establish himself on the PGA Tour, a struggle he and Smylie shared. Max and Smylie look at swing video tracking Max's progress to where he is now, a place he finds "aesthetically pleasing."

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! And here's something to pass the time as you travel to and from family gatherings... Tiger and Rory's tech-infused indoor league called the TGL is, of course, delayed a year to 2025. But the other TGL - the "Thanksgiving League" remains very much on schedule. Similar to the original TGL, this league is comprised of six teams - but the roster, drafted by Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme, looks very different. Make sure to follow us on social media @thesmylieshow and tell us which team is your favorite!

Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme break down an unusually robust docket of fall golf news, beginning with a first PGA Tour win for a star in the making, Ludvig Åberg. News breaks during the show that the launch of the TGL, an indoor golf league founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy featuring PGA Tour stars, will be postponed a year due to structural damage at the brand new venue when the roof collapsed. Finally, Tiger's return at the Hero World Challenge is discussed, including what should be expected from Tiger playing his first competitive golf since withdrawing from the 2023 Masters.

Lance Armstrong joins Smylie Kaufman to discuss a wide range of topics, from his battle with cancer - one he shares with Smylie's producer and co-host, Charlie Hulme - to the complicated reconciliation of his brilliance as a cyclist with the rampant doping that clouded the sport for years. Lance also shares about his obsession with the game of golf, and how it has helped him bounce back from life's low points.

Smylie and Charlie recap the second emotional victory in a matter of weeks on the PGA Tour, as Camilo Villegas dedicates a win to the memory of his daughter Mia at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. They also discuss Rory McIlroy's comments - and Tiger Woods' attempted intervention - on Patrick Cantlay and Joe LaCava. University of North Carolina juniors - and two of the top-ranked amateur players in the world - David & Maxwell Ford join the show ahead of their start in the RSM Classic this week.

Smylie is joined by Erik van Rooyen following an incredibly emotional few days for the latest winner on the PGA Tour. Erik and his caddie Alex Gaugert celebrated their win at the World Wide Technology Championship with heavy hearts, as their friend and college teammate Jon Trasamar processes his final days with a terminal cancer diagnosis. Erik played brilliantly in his last nine holes at the WWT, shooting an 8-under 28 to win the tournament and dedicate the victory to Jon. Erik and Alex then traveled immediately to see Jon, and shares some of the memories made on that visit. Erik's win was incredibly significant for his career as well - he entered the week sitting in the 125th, and final, spot on the FedEx Cup points list that would earn him a Tour card next season, and with the win, he guaranteed his full status for 2024.

Smylie is joined by fellow Birmingham, Alabama native Gordon Sargent, who has already clinched his PGA Tour card as a junior at Vanderbilt via the PGA Tour U Accelerated program. Gordon discusses the special invitation he received to the 2023 Masters and what he learned in his week at Augusta National, his elite driving skill that has already earned the admiration of Tour veterans like Adam Scott, and his wild putt on the 72nd hole of the 2023 U.S. Open that went viral. Gordon also details the decision he'll be making as to whether he'll stay in school for his senior year, or turn pro after this season.

We begin today's episode by recapping Smylie's week in Jupiter getting a sneak preview of the new course Justin Thomas designed alongside Jack Nicklaus - Panther National - and then playing Michael Jordan's course, Grove XXIII, with JT the next day. We then welcome Michael Wolf - aka "Bama Bearcat" on X - to the show to discuss course architecture, and the leak of Golf Magazine's World Top 100 courses list.

Smylie Kaufman is joined by six-time PGA Tour victor, winner of the 2023 Tour Championship and FedEx Cup, and the de facto MVP of the 2023 Ryder Cup - Viktor Hovland. Viktor covers everything from how he got hooked on death metal, to the transformative short game work he did this year with Joe Mayo, to his chip-in (with Smylie's call!) on the first hole at the Ryder Cup.   1:54 Ryder Cup songs + what he's been up to since 5:40 The origins of his golf game 14:02 How he got into death metal 16:41 College years at Oklahoma State 21:00 Early pro years and "Big Three" with Morikawa & Wolff 23:58 Short game work with Joe Mayo (video breakdown) 42:31 Smylie's prediction on Golf Digest pod 47:18 Smylie covering Viktor's Friday AM foursomes group at Ryder Cup 53:11 Playing with Ludvig Åberg

Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme break down Collin Morikawa's first win since the 2021 Open Championship, and whether his win at the Zozo Championship could be the springboard for a big 2024 season. They also discuss Phil Mickelson's comments about tons of players being interested in making the jump to LIV golf, and try to realistically figure out who those players could be. Plus - a former Ryder Cup captain makes a strong statement about whether he'll continue as part of the Team USA backroom staff.