Elvis Smylie achieved his first DP World Tour victory, holding off a late charge from Cameron Smith to win the BMW Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland.
The 22-year-old Australian, previously a recipient of the Cameron Smith Scholarship in 2019, displayed remarkable composure to secure the win in a tournament that saw him competing against his golfing idol. Smylie, ranked world No. 736, had only recently claimed his first professional victory on the PGA Tour of Australasia but showed he belonged on the big stage with a flawless final round of 67.
Smylie entered the back nine with a three-shot lead but faced mounting pressure as Smith, the 150th Open champion, birdied the 15th and holed another on the 17th to trim the gap to two shots. However, Smylie’s short game shone through as he saved par repeatedly, including a crucial recovery on the final hole after finding trouble off the tee.
“It’s a dream come true,” said Smylie. “Playing with Cam and Marc [Leishman], guys I’ve looked up to since I was a kid, was incredible. I’ve learned so much from competing with them and am just so grateful and honored.”
Smylie credited his short game for the victory, saying, “My short game was great; it really saved me today. I was pretty average off the tee, but golf is about imperfection, and I found a way to get it done.” He also expressed gratitude for his family’s unwavering support. “My mum and dad have been with me every step of the way. Seeing my mum tearing up before I holed that last putt made it even more special. Everyone who’s been on this journey with me knows how hard I’ve worked, and I hope this is just the start of something great.” Marc Leishman, part of the all-Australian final group, tied for third at 11 under alongside Anthony Quayle, who delivered a spectacular bogey-free 63, capped by a 110-foot birdie putt on the last. Former world No. 1 Jason Day finished in a share of eighth at eight under. Meanwhile, Smith, a three-time winner of this event, settled for second place despite his late rally. Smylie’s win marked a perfect start to the 2025 DP World Tour season, a testament to his growing promise in the sport.A maiden title on just his 16th appearance 🤩
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) November 24, 2024
Elvis Smylie wins the 2025 BMW Australian PGA Championship 🏆#AusPGA pic.twitter.com/m1QkBn4avz