Among the many things LIV Golf does differently is bring entire teams before the media in the lead-up to its events. It\u2019s often a more engaging format than a single player and gives the team camaraderie a moment to shine.<\/p>\n
When it was the turn of the all-Aussie Ripper GC yesterday afternoon, the foursome didn\u2019t disappoint. They answered all questions put to them and spoke seriously when required, but they also bantered \u2013 among themselves and with members of the media \u2013 in a way befitting the league\u2019s ethos of difference.<\/p>\n
RELATED: Elvis Smylie just pulled off the smartest \u2018money grab\u2019 golf has ever seen \u2013\u00a0and the haters will HATE it<\/a><\/p>\n There was an in-joke about Elvis Smylie and Valentine\u2019s Day falling this Saturday (including a Valentine\u2019s card slipped into Smylie\u2019s golf bag that Australian Golf Digest viewed afterwards), talk of gentle hazing for the team\u2019s newcomer and an overall sense of light-heartedness to assuage the seriousness of professional golf.<\/p>\n Of course, why wouldn\u2019t you feel buoyed, when your squad is one-from-one on the circuit\u2019s new season and your newest signing snared the individual trophy in his debut start<\/a>? Especially when the first tournament rolls straight into what the team captain acknowledges is their \u201cbiggest week of the year\u201d.<\/p>\n You could feel the up-vibe energy in the room yesterday afternoon. Smylie, who is fast gaining an Adam Scott-like level of respect and admiration for his combination of poise and maturity at 23, was clearly at ease with some of the stick his teammates were sending his way. He might have outshone his more experienced fellow Ripper GC players last weekend in the Saudi Arabian capital, but in sport\u2019s eternal \u2018what have you done lately?\u2019 atmosphere, every week represents a clean slate, regardless of results.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been a whirlwind of a 48 hours,\u201d Smylie said. \u201cIt\u2019s been a quick turnaround since Riyadh. As soon as that final putt went in on the Saturday [night], we pretty much had to get ready, get on the charter and get here.<\/p>\n \u201cI had a bit of time to reflect on the plane. I\u2019ve had so many wonderful messages from friends and family, and it\u2019s great to be home.\u201d<\/p>\n That last line is a sentiment all four Rippers shared, mixed with unquestionable enthusiasm for the fourth edition of LIV Golf Adelaide, especially Smylie\u2019s first time here.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we all just can\u2019t wait to get started,\u201d Cam Smith said. \u201cI think this is our biggest week of the year, particularly for us. It feels like it\u2019s the league\u2019s biggest event. It feels like everyone wants to play well here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a highlight of my year,\u201d Marc Leishman added with surety. \u201cIt\u2019s obviously a massive week for us to play in front of the home crowd [and] the course is as good as I\u2019ve probably ever seen it. It looks like the weather is going to be perfect. It\u2019s shaping up to be a massive week and hopefully it can be a big week for the Rippers.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m also looking forward to Elvis, being able to watch him experience a massive week. Like Cam said, it\u2019s a highlight of our year, and I know he\u2019s going to enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n There\u2019s a balance required to manage this week, one the Rippers are still navigating.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the team\u2019s biggest week. We all have so many commitments this week,\u201d Smith said. \u201cIt\u2019s draining, but it\u2019s what we expect. We know that we have to deal with it. We\u2019ve been here plenty of times before now. It is Elvis\u2019s first time around, and I feel like the past couple years especially we\u2019ve done a better job of managing the commitments and the outside stuff so we\u2019re ready to play on Thursday.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re all prepped for it. We\u2019re playing great golf. We\u2019re all playing confidently. It\u2019s nice for Elvis to come out here and immediately shine like he did last week.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI felt like I gained the respect of each player on the tour, which is something that means quite a lot to me\u201d – Elvis Smylie <\/p>\n Rookie Elvis has certainly earned the respect from his competitors after last week\u2019s win \ud83d\udcaa#LIVGolfAdelaide<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/rdfcHpmqSD<\/a><\/p>\n — LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) February 10, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n