The Rise and Fall of Smylie Kaufman

Who can forget a name like Smylie Kaufman? It just sounds like a golfer’s name!

Starting in 2015, Smylie had two top 5 finishes, a second place finish and a win on the Korn Ferry Tour (Formerly The Web.com Tour) which led to earning his card for the following PGA Tour season.

Later that year, he won the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open which gave him an exemption into the 2016 Masters where he was one shot back heading into the final Sunday round. I bet that’s where you remember first hearing that name right?

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Smylie Kaufman (@smyliekaufman10)

Unsurprisingly, the rookie nerves crept in and Smylie finished at T29. Nonetheless, it was an impressive outing.

Through 2017, he had some notable finishes such as T4 2017 Sanderson Farms Championship, T5 2017 Wells Fargo Championship, and T12 2017 Players Championship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Smylie Kaufman (@smyliekaufman10)

Unfortunately, that’s where the fun stopped. Since the end of the 2017 PGA Tour season, Smylie has missed the cut or withdrawn from 37 out of 40 events played.

The hurt doesn’t stop there.

He recently withdrew from stage 2 of 2021 Korn Ferry Q School after posting a combined first 2 round score of +9 at Southern Hills Plantation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Smylie Kaufman (@smyliekaufman10)

Personally, I hate seeing this happen to any great golfer. This guy has shown his potential and we all know he can throw down on the course.

Hopefully Smylie gets out of this funk and we see him atop the leaderboards again.

Cover Image Via Instagram & Instagram