Elvis Smylie twelve months on from his historic victory
Elvis Smylie, today holding the trophy that has already meant so much to his career – image PGA of Australia
Royal Queensland Golf Club copped one of its worst thunderstorm batterings on Monday just three days ahead of the Australian PGA Championship and more stormy weather is predicted over the next few days with an improvement by Friday, although more rain is expected on Saturday.
Practice was suspended on Monday, but today the field was out in force as they tried to get in as much practice as possible ahead of the looming weather in preparation for the A$2.5 million event.
Defending champion Elvis Smylie faced the media, reflecting on a victory that, twelve months ago, allowed him not only to claim a significant title but also to secure a DP World Tour card, which he has used to great effect in his rookie season in 2025.
Smylie finished the season in 23rd place in the Race to Dubai rankings with earnings over €1 million, establishing himself on the DP World Tour and setting himself up for an even better season in 2026.
Late in the DP World Tour season, Smylie was in line for one of the 2026 PGA Tour cards handed out to the leading ten players in the race to Dubai rankings, but was unable to finish the last three events off as strongly as he would have liked.
With the benefit of one full season in Europe now behind him, however, the chances of something even better for the 23-year-old appear likely and exciting for one still in the relatively early stages of his career.
“It’s great to be back,” said Smylie referring to his return to a club he was a member of previously and, of course, where he produced such an important win. “This is my first time defending a title, so it’s really nice to do it back here in Brisbane at home in front of family and friends and it’s a great field that the tournament has assembled, so I’m looking forward to the week ahead and hopefully the weather is kind to us this year.”
Smylie was asked his thoughts on the season and how much of a better player he feels he is now compared to the then 22-year-old who won so impressively at Royal Queensland twelve months ago.
“Yeah, I think spending the whole year on the DP World Tour, travelling around different countries, exploring different climates, I feel like it’s been a real character-building year, both on and off the course. Majority of the year I travelled by myself, so you do learn a lot about yourself when you’re in countries where it’s not always English-speaking, you’re having to use Google Translate and yeah, I’ve really enjoyed it.
“I mean, if you told me 12 months ago that I’d be standing here, I finished 23rd on the Race to Dubai, so I’ve guaranteed myself a spot in The Open championship again for next year. Royal Birkdale, which I’m excited about, played in two major championships and made it to the end-of-year Race to Dubai event I would have been surprised. As the year’s gone on however, I felt more and more comfortable mixing it with the best, and I started to enjoy it a little bit more as the year went on.”
When asked just how Royal Queensland should best be played, Smylie opened up regarding a golf course he knows so well.
“Yeah, I think the thing with Royal Queensland that is really important is you’ve just got to know when to go forward and when to lean back a bit. The greens are pretty firm and fast at the moment, so as well as around the greens, you’ve got to know how to deal with the grain.
“You’ve got to be really smart with your shot selection. Plenty of 9-irons, bumping around 3-woods and then being able to deal with the bounce really well with your lob wedge. I would like to say it’s quite generous off the tee, but you really do have to zone in with your second shots.”
Like Adam Scott and Ryan Fox before him in front of the media today, Smylie eyed the prospect of making the Presidents Cup team in 2026 and the years ahead.
“Yeah, without a doubt. Adam’s been a role model of mine ever since I was a little kid and Geoff’s going to be the captain next year, Geoff Ogilvy, and that’s something that I’m striving for to try and make that team. But then, when Adam eventually is the captain, that’s something that is a very big motivator for me, to try and make that team and play under him and represent the International Shield as well.”
When asked if he would like to join the greats of Australian golf and win multiple titles in this country, Smylie expressed enthusiasm.
“It’s been a long season. I’ve played 24 events around the world this year, but the two events at the end of the year are always the two that I want to really do well in. It means a lot to me to be the Australian PGA champion, and to be able to have the opportunity to try and win the Australian Open as well is something that hasn’t been done that many times before, so I would like to leave a legacy of being one of the best in Australia.
Smylie is a considerably better golfer than the 22-year-old left these shores to ply his trade in Europe this year, and don’t be surprised if that improvement manifests itself in him being in contention at the pointy end of the event this week.
