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LIV Golf 2026 New Player Analysis: Elvis Smylie

Jan 16, 2026 - 1:12 PMWritten by: Matt Vincenzi

LIV Golf has added exciting young Australian talent Elvis Smylie to its roster for the 2026 season, joining Cam Smith's Ripper GC. 

PLAYER BIO 

Age: 23  

Nationality: Australian  

Data Golf Ranking: 147th

OWGR: 128th 

Career Wins: 2 (DP World Tour/PGA Tour of Australasia: 2024 BMW Australian PGA Championship; Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia: 2024 Bowra & O'Dea Nexus Advisernet WA Open) 

Career Highlights: Smylie claimed a breakthrough victory at the 2024 BMW Australian PGA Championship, defeating Cam Smith by two strokes in a weather-shortened event with a final-round 67. He topped the 2024-25 Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit and was named the PGA Tour of Australasia Player of the Year. He then finished 23rd in the 2025 Race to Dubai standings on the DP World Tour. 

Best Major Finish: T72 at the 2025 PGA Championship.  

2025 Results: Strong full-season performance on DP World Tour with seven top-20 finishes, including a runner-up finish at the FedEx Open de France.  

Major Eligibility in 2026: Smylie will make his third consecutive Open appearance in 2026 at Royal Birkdale by finishing 23rd on the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai Rankings. He is currently ranked 2nd in the OWGR Federation Ranking, with the top three earning an exemption the PGA Championship.

2025 DP WORLD TOUR RANKS 

Scoring Average: 70.62 (44th)
Driving Distance: 300.14 (66th)
Driving Accuracy: 58.94% (76th)
Greens in Regulation: 68.77% (43rd)
Birdie Average (per tournament): 4.00 (T24)
Scrambling: 56.97% (74th)
Strokes Gained: Approach: +0.20 (69th)
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee: -0.20 (137th)
Strokes Gained: Around the Green: +0.42 (T7)
Strokes Gained: Putting: +0.29 (52nd) 

STATISTICAL PROFILE 

Smylie is a promising left-handed talent but is still early in his development as a ball-striker. His short game is already quite developed, and it proved to be the difference maker in his Australian PGA win. The Aussie is an aggressive player who makes tons of birdies but will need to sharpen his off the tee play as his career progresses.

Statistical lookalike: Anirban Lahiri 

INTERESTING FACTS 

  • He was named after Elvis Presley. His father, a huge fan, saw the King live in concert in the 1970s alongside tennis legend John McEnroe.  

  • He is the son of former professional tennis players. His mother Liz Smylie won four Grand Slam doubles titles, including Wimbledon. 

  • Family friends include major golf figures such as 1991 Open champion Ian Baker-Finch and 1990 PGA Championship winner Wayne Grady. 

  • He was the recipient of the Cameron Smith Scholarship in 2019, receiving mentorship from his idol (whom he later defeated to win the Australian PGA). 

  • He turned professional in 2021 after winning the 2019 Australian Boys Amateur Championship. 

  • He has spent time staying with the Ripper GC captain Cam Smith, who is a mentor to him.

BOTTOM LINE

Smylie brings more youth to a league already stacked with young stars as well as a proven winning ability to LIV Golf, fitting perfectly into an all-Australian Ripper GC. As a high-upside 23-year-old with a signature home win already under his belt, he has the tools to quickly impact the individual standings and thrive in the team setting surrounded by veteran teammates.

(Smylie photo courtesy of Michael Thomas/Photosport)

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