Join Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme on The Smylie Show as they welcome Korn Ferry Tour analyst James Nitties back on the show! James appeared last year and put us onto Jake Knapp before the bouncer-turned-Tour-pro went on to win in his rookie season and make it to the FedEx Cup Playoffs. Our analysis of the most recent Korn Ferry Tour graduating class comes fresh on the heels of Matt McCarty winning his third career PGA TOUR start after finishing at the top of the 2024 KFT standings. James identifies the young player with the most star power in this class, who will have the Smylie Show bandwagon riding for him in 2025.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Introducing James Nitties
00:42 - Reliving James' great call on Jake Knapp before the 2024 season
04:17 - Discussing Matt McCarty's win at the Black Desert Championship
14:12 - The best way to prepare Korn Ferry Tour graduates for the PGA TOUR
17:50 - "Koala Karl" Vilips
22:05 - The most talented player in the 2024 KFT graduating class
27:50 - Best iron player and putter
30:54 - A trio of KFT grads from the 2021 Walker Cup
40:30 - Most PGA Tour-ready players
42:34 - Discussing Harry Higgs' return to the PGA TOUR
45:38 - Discussing Isaiah Salinda a year after breaking onto the scene at 2023 Shriners
57:10 - Final Thoughts and Sign Off