A 22-year-old Aussie who once learned from his hero just beat him at his own game.
Elvis Smylie outdueled three-time champion Cameron Smith to win the BMW Australian PGA Championship on Sunday, shooting a 4-under 67 to finish at 14-under par.
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It’s a pretty amazing full-circle moment. Just five years ago, Smylie won a scholarship to spend a week at Smith’s Florida home, learning how to live and train like a pro. Now he’s beaten his mentor by two shots on one of Australia’s biggest stages.
The tournament at Royal Queensland turned into a 54-hole shootout after Friday’s round was washed out by heavy rain.
Smylie and Smith started Sunday tied for the lead, setting up what promised to be an epic final round. The young gun came out firing, making four birdies in his first seven holes.
The turning point came at the sixth hole. Smylie made birdie while Smith dropped a shot – a two-shot swing that gave the youngster breathing room he wouldn’t give up.
Smith, who won The Open at St. Andrews in 2022, tried to mount a comeback. He got the crowd roaring when he holed an incredible birdie from off the green at the 17th, cutting the lead to two.
But Smylie showed nerves of steel down the stretch. He saved par six different times on the back nine, including a clutch bunker shot to three feet on the final hole.
“It’s a dream come true,” Smylie said after securing the biggest win of his career. “I won’t forget this day playing with Cam and Leish.”
His short game wizardry proved the difference. “My short game was great; I definitely saved myself,” he admitted.
Mark Leishman and Anthony Quayle tied for third at 11-under par.
The win is extra special for Smylie, whose mom Liz was a professional tennis player. Now he’s made his own mark in Australian sports history.
The tournament kicks off the 2025 European Tour season. Many players will head to Melbourne next week for the Australian Open, where both men and women will compete at the famous Kingston Heath and Victoria courses.
