STAMFORD, Conn. – Jan. 14, 2026 – Happy Hour with Smylie presented by Michelob Ultra, the fan-favorite segments within Golf Channel’s Friday afternoon PGA TOUR coverage hosted by on-course reporter Smylie Kaufman, returns for 2026 and debuts at this week’s Opening Drive on the PGA TOUR at the Sony Open in Hawaii.
Happy Hour with Smylie offers casual and insightful coverage during PGA TOUR events, as Kaufman calls the shots and conducts live interviews with PGA TOUR players on-site during Golf Channel’s tournament coverage. In 2025, Kaufman hosted TOUR players such as Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, and Kevin Kisner, as well as other professional athletes like two-time World Series Champion Roger Clemens.
"Happy Hour with Smylie brings a different tone & energy to our Friday afternoon live broadcasts on Golf Channel," said Tom Knapp, Golf Channel EVP & GM. "Smylie Kaufman's natural relatability and authentic relationships create a very conversational vibe - as all happy hours have. He doesn't force it. We're also thrilled to have Michelob Ultra return as our presenting sponsor and look forward to another informative and entertaining year of Happy Hour with Smylie on Golf Channel."
Michelob Ultra returns as the presenting partner for Happy Hour with Smylie, introducing a new logo for 2026, which will debut during this week’s edition of Happy Hour scheduled to air during Friday’s 8-9 p.m. ET hour of tournament coverage on Golf Channel.
Following the season-opening Sony Open in Hawaii, Happy Hour with Smylie will hit the road with the PGA TOUR, appearing at signature events including the WM Phoenix Open, THE PLAYERS Championship, the Travelers Championship and more. The full 2026 schedule is as follows (subject to change):
Happy Hour with Smylie 2026 Schedule:
- January 16 – Sony Open in Hawaii
- January 23 – The American Express
- February 6 – WM Phoenix Open
- February 27 – Cognizant Classic
- March 6 – Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard
- March 13 – THE PLAYERS Championship
- March 20 – Valspar Championship
- March 27 – Texas Children’s Houston Open
- April 3 – Valero Texas Open
- May 1 – CadillacChampionship
- June 26 – Travelers Championship
- August 21 – BMW Championship
About Golf Channel
Golf Channel – the first-ever single-sport cable network which was founded in 1995 – delivers comprehensive live golf tournament, studio and shoulder programming. Golf Channel features more live coverage of the sport than all other U.S. television networks combined, including events across the PGA TOUR, LPGA Tour, USGA, R&A, DP World Tour, NCAA, and the Olympics, as well as news coverage via live morning programming and tentpole studio shows including Golf Today, Golf Central and the network’s critically-acclaimed Live From on-site pre- and post-round show at high-profile golf events.
Jamie Palatini
VP, Communications
Jamie.palatini@versantmedia.com
(908) 347-1472
Jake Gellerman
Senior Manager, Communications
Jake.gellerman@versantmedia.com
Emily Carman
Publicist
Emily.Carman@versantmedia.com
(714) 742-8301