PGA TOUR of AUSTRALASIA
Elvis Smylie Rocks Royal Queensland With Victory At BMW Australian PGA
It was a showdown that featured 22-year-old Queenslander Elvis Smylie against his childhood idol Cameron Smith. In a career-defining moment, Smylie delivered a composed and confident performance on Sunday to secure a two-stroke win at the BMW Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club.
Smylie, a 2019 Cameron Smith Scholarship recipient, started the final round tied with Smith but wasted no time asserting himself. Back-to-back birdies on the opening holes set the tone, with Smylie never trailing at any point during his 4-under-par round of 67.
The reigning WA Open champion remained unflappable, posting birdies at the 6th and 7th while big names like Smith, Marc Leishman, and David Micheluzzi, all carding 69s, struggled to keep pace. Four critical par saves on the back nine underpinned Smylie’s resilience, even as Smith mounted a late challenge with a dramatic putt from off the green at the lively Dabble Party Hole.
The tension peaked at the 18th when both players found the greenside bunker with their approaches. Smylie, unfazed, delivered one last clutch up-and-down to seal his first Joe Kirkwood Cup triumph.
“It’s a dream come true,” Smylie beamed. “Playing with Cam and Leish today, guys I’ve looked up to my whole life, was surreal. Competing against them for this title taught me so much. I’m just so grateful and honoured.”
Final Scores
1. Elvis Smylie -14
2. Cameron Smith -12
T3. Marc Leishman -11
T3. Anthony Quayle -11
5. David Micheluzzi -10
