Haotong Li's Strong Start to 2026 & Golf Season Insights

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From The Smylie Kaufman Show

Promising Start and Team Dynamics with Rory

Hal recently discussed his solid start to the season on the Smylie Kaufman Show, sharing that he worked hard through the winter without any significant breaks. His efforts paid off, though he noted his putting could use some improvement. Despite feeling nervous, particularly with driving initially, he managed to perform well under pressure, especially when placed early in games by Rory.

He revealed an interesting backstory about how he joined the Golf Channel game. Rory's manager, Sean, reached out to him a few months before the event, expressing Rory’s desire to have him on the team. Hal also touched on his personal interactions with Rory, mentioning a visit to Rory's new house for a practice session, which turned out to be both enjoyable and insightful.

Despite an appealing invitation from Rory to move closer for regular practice sessions, Hal admitted he preferred staying in Shanghai, only to later ponder the missed financial opportunity of buying property in Jupiter. He humorously concluded that now he's "slumming" in LA, but still finds it enjoyable.