Elvis Smylie\u2019s dream debut on LIV Golf could not have been more emphatic, with the 23-year-old Queenslander claiming victory at the season-opening event in Saudi Arabia. In the process, Smylie propelled the all-Australian Ripper GC outfit to the teams title at ROSHN Group LIV Golf Riyadh.<\/p>\n
EXCLUSIVE: Elvis Smylie\u2019s first sit-down interview as a Ripper GC player<\/a><\/p>\n His famous namesake authored his best performances at night, and so it was for Smylie in Riyadh. The only under-lights tournament on the LIV schedule allowed players freedom to fire at flags in the calm nighttime conditions, with Smylie\u2019s 24-under-par total eclipsing Jon Rahm by a shot.<\/p>\n \nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/livgolf_league\/status\/2020223522744778937\n<\/p>\n Smylie held off not only the two-time major winner, but seasoned tour professionals in Thomas Pieters, Thomas Detry, Peter Uihlein, Abraham Ancer and reigning Australian PGA champion David Puig. In a single outing, the 2024 Australian PGA champion<\/a> validated his decision to jump to LIV.<\/p>\n Smylie earned $US4 million for the individual title and a quarter-share of $US3 million for Ripper\u2019s victory. That converts to a personal total of $A6.77 million.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a dream come true,\u201d Smylie said. \u201cI really didn\u2019t know what to expect this week; playing at night\u2019s obviously a whole different ball game out here. I wanted to come out here and make a statement, I wanted to prove that I\u2019m one of the best out here \u2013 and I feel like I\u2019ve done that and it\u2019s only up from here.\u201d<\/p>\n In LIV\u2019s first-ever fourth round<\/a>, Smylie\u2019s bogey-free 64 was indeed a statement closing lap in Riyadh. Combining pinpoint iron play with a hot putter, Smylie found eight birdies \u2013 including three in a row under pressure on the back nine \u2013 against no bogeys to keep the pursuers at bay.<\/p>\n \nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/livgolf_league\/status\/2020211563303759991\n<\/p>\n Rahm (63) offered most resistance. The Spanish star birdied his final four holes to apply a little heat, narrowly missing an eagle putt on the 18th green that would have forced Smylie to birdie the last hole to win.<\/p>\n A crucial par save at the 17th hole gave Smylie enough cushion en route to his third victory as a pro.<\/p>\n It was a big day for Ripper GC, as Lucas Herbert (64), Cam Smith (65) and Mark Leishman (69) joined Smylie in combining for a 26-under-par last-round tally to claim the teams event at 69-under, three better than Torque GC.<\/p>\n RELATED: Elvis Smylie \u2013 a little more conversation<\/a><\/p>\n Long touted as one of Australia\u2019s best rising talents<\/a>, Smylie\u2019s career stalled briefly in the post-COVID period. A switch in coach to Perth-based savant Ritchie Smith provided the catalyst for a revival, which began when Smylie claimed the 2024 WA Open weeks before his career-changing victory at the Australian PGA that spring.<\/p>\n After a sublime season on the DP World Tour in 2025 that included contesting two majors (PGA Championship and The Open) and a runner-up finish at the French Open, Smylie announced he was moving to LIV Golf<\/a> and Ripper GC.<\/p>\n So far, it\u2019s proving to be a masterstroke.<\/p>\n