Elvis Smylie is reportedly set to join LIV Golf’s Ripper GC team, sparking debate about the future of Australia’s rising star.
Elvis Smylie, the 23-year-old Queenslander who burst onto the scene with his impressive 2024 BMW Australian PGA Championship victory and a strong rookie year on the DP World Tour (finishing 23rd in the Race to Dubai), has suddenly found himself at the centre of LIV Golf chatter.
Several credible outlets including The Times of London, Sports Illustrated, and Golfweek are reporting that Smylie has signed on with LIV Golf ahead of the 2026 season. These reports suggest he’s set to join the all-Australian “Ripper GC” team captained by Cameron Smith, stepping into the space left by veteran Matt Jones.
Smylie’s reported signing comes during a turbulent offseason for LIV. The league has transitioned to a 72-hole structure and expanded to 57 players. Notable additions in the same wave include Thomas Detry, Victor Perez, and Laurie Canter, while Brooks Koepka’s departure significantly shook the roster.
Confirmation from Smylie or LIV is still pending, but all signs point to a formal announcement in early February, when LIV Golf kicks off its 2026 season in Saudi Arabia. Smylie would then have to decide whether to pursue future pathways on the PGA or DP World Tours or make a full pivot to the Saudi-backed circuit.