Smylie to bid for Aus Open and second BMW Aus PGA Championship title

Media Release:

Young Australian golf star Elvis Smylie will return to the BMW Australian PGA Championship in Sydney later this year, with the former champion set to tee it up at The Lakes Golf Club as he continues his rise on the world stage.

The BMW Australian PGA Championship will be played in Sydney for the first time in nearly 30 years from November 26-29.

Smylie captured the biggest victory of his professional career at the 2024 BMW Australian PGA Championship, a win that propelled him onto the DP World Tour and marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter in his career.

Since then, the Queenslander has continued his rapid ascent, winning both individual and team titles with Ripper GC on LIV Golf and climbing inside the top 100 on the Official World Golf Ranking.

He has now won three times as a professional and played in four major championships, making the cut at the last two US PGA Championships.

Smylie will return to the championship where he made his name, looking to add a second Kirkwood Cup to his growing list of achievements and continue the momentum that has made him one of Australia’s most exciting young golfing talents.

“I’ve got some incredible memories from winning the BMW Australian PGA Championship. It’s a tournament that will always mean a lot to me,” said Smylie.

“Winning in 2024 was a huge moment in my career. It gave me real belief that I could compete against some of the best players in the world and opened the door to the DP World Tour plus some major championships.

“Since then, it’s been an incredible journey with Ripper GC, winning tournaments and continuing to test myself against world-class players. To come back and play in front of Australian fans is going to be a great way to end the year.”

Smylie will make his return from a rib injury in next week's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman said: “Elvis has been one of the standout stories in Australian golf over the past couple of years and we’re thrilled to welcome him back to the BMW Australian PGA Championship.

“His victory in 2024 was a special moment and demonstrated the quality and composure he possesses. To see him follow the pathway to the DP World Tour, compete in major championships, become a winner with Ripper GC and continue climbing the world rankings has been fantastic.

“Elvis represents the next generation of Australian golfers, has the potential to be a major championship winner and we know fans in Sydney will embrace the opportunity to watch him compete at The Lakes.”

NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism and Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said: “Elvis Smylie is one of Australia's best golfers, and teeing up a former winner of this championship is a huge win for the event.

“Alongside attracting visitors to Sydney and supporting the visitor economy, another great benefit of the Championship to NSW is the chance for aspiring sportspeople to see world-class homegrown talent in action.

“Sydney will be the place to be this October, with Elvis joining a stacked field of Australian and international golfers and thousands of fans ready for what promises to be a highlight of this year's international golfing calendar.”

The BMW Australian PGA Championship will be co-sanctioned with the DP World Tour through its Strategic Alliance with the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and the tournament will launch the DP World Tour’s 2027 Race to Dubai before being followed by the Capital.com Australian Open.

Smylie joins a field that includes Cam Smith, Adam Scott, Cam Davis, Canadian Corey Conners, Spain's Josele Ballester and Presidents Cup International Team captain Geoff Ogilvy.

Elvis Smylie also locked in for Australian Open on the Sandbelt.

Smylie will return to the Capital.com men’s Australian Open as well, with one of the country's brightest young talents set to tee it up at Kingston Heath Golf Club as he continues his rise on the world stage.

The Capital.com men’s Australian Open will be played on Melbourne's famed Sandbelt from December 3–6, with one of the world's finest courses set to provide a fitting stage for Australia's national championship.

Smylie will arrive in Melbourne following a remarkable rise over the past two seasons and join a field headed by two-time Masters champion Rory McIlroy.

After claiming the biggest victory of his professional career at the 2024 BMW Australian PGA Championship, the Queenslander earned promotion to the DP World Tour and has continued his rapid ascent, winning both individual and team titles with Ripper GC on LIV Golf while climbing inside the top 100 on the Official World Golf Ranking.

A graduate of Golf Australia’s High Performance Program, he has now won three times as a professional and played in four major championships, making the cut at the last two US PGA Championships.

Smylie will now turn his attention to Australia's oldest and most prestigious championship, chasing his maiden Stonehaven Cup against a world-class field at Kingston Heath.

His best Open result in six appearances came at the Heath two years ago when he tied for fifth in the tournament where the hosting role was shared with Victoria Golf Club.

“I’ve always loved playing in the Australian Open,” said Smylie.

“It’s one of the great championships in world golf and to have the opportunity to compete for the Stonehaven Cup again, back at a fantastic course in Kingston Heath, is something I’m really looking forward to.

“Every Australian player wants their name on that trophy.

“It’s going to provide an incredible challenge against an awesome field."

Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland said: “The Capital.com men’s Australian Open has a proud history of showcasing Australia's best players alongside some of the biggest names in world golf, and Elvis is certain to be one of the players fans will be most excited to watch as he chases his first Stonehaven Cup at Kingston Heath.

“After developing his game through our Golf Australia High Performance Squads, culminating with the Rookie Squad, he's developed into one of the leaders of Australia's next generation.

“He had a great win on LIV Golf earlier this year and we know he'll embrace the challenge of pursuing one of the biggest titles in world golf.”

The Capital.com men’s Australian Open will follow the BMW Australian PGA Championship as part of the Australian summer of golf, with many of the game's leading Australian and international players set to contest Australia's most prestigious championship.

This year's field also includes Australian major winners Adam Scott, Cam Smith and Geoff Ogilvy, as well as Canadian Presidents Cup representative Corey Conners.

 

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