ELVIS Smylie made such an impression when he burst into big-time Australian golf three years in the past that it appeared inevitable the Queenslander would win early and infrequently – not simply on this nation, however all through the world.
Smylie, the 19-year-old with the nice seems to be and the silky clean left-hand swing, was nonetheless an novice when he shot matching weekend rounds of 63 to come back inside a stroke of profitable the 2021 Webex Gamers Sequence Victoria occasion at Rosebud.
When he turned skilled and, a month later, tied for third within the Gamers Sequence Sydney, then was runner-up within the NSW Open, Smylie appeared to have the world at his toes.
Within the coming months, nonetheless, he was to find simply how troublesome it’s to win a golf event.
Like with Justin Rose, the teenage novice who exploded onto the golf scene in 1998 along with his fourth putting within the Open Championship, turned skilled, then hardly made a reduce for the following two years, there have been quiet whispers that maybe his early success was only a flash within the pan.
However, whereas others could have doubted him, Smylie, now 22, by no means stopped believing in his skill, or his proper to be competing in opposition to the world’s greatest.
“Exterior noise!” he described the commentary. “Golf is a troublesome recreation with many extra lows than highs.
“You should be affected person and imagine that the work you’re doing will put you ready to win.
“As quickly as I turned professional I went straight to the European Tour and simply bought every little thing thrown at me without delay,” he stated. “It was difficult coping with that. However stepping again a bit, what has occurred has been a blessing in disguise.
“As time’s gone on, I believe I’ve appreciated every little thing that has occurred. I’ve bought a greater perspective on how I can handle every little thing in addition to I can transferring ahead.”
“Golf teaches you so many issues, each in regards to the recreation and about your self as an individual. What has occurred over the previous few years will assist form me into the particular person I’ll turn into.”
Elvis Smylie was lastly a winner, capturing the WA Open title in a playoff over Jak Carter.
Smylie was maybe as a lot relieved as he was delighted when he broke by way of to win his first event, the Western Australian Open at Mandurah in October, pipping the unfortunate Jak Carter in a playoff.
“It meant every little thing to me,” he stated. “It was nice to win for all of the folks, my household, my pals, who’ve helped me a lot.”
With the primary three placegetters on the Australasian PGA Tour at season’s finish assured of standing on the DP World Tour – Smylie was in second place after the Queensland PGA – he’s hopeful of returning to Europe subsequent 12 months.
He enjoys touring, although he says it takes time to get used to residing out of a suitcase and being away from residence.
“My mother and father assist,” Smylie stated. “Once I was taking part in within the Open at Troon this 12 months my mum was commentating at Wimbledon and we have been in a position to spend a while collectively.”
Mum, in fact, is former tennis star Liz Smylie, a one-time Wimbledon doubles champion. Dad Peter was additionally a tennis skilled, and Smylie stated their expertise as skilled sports activities folks has helped him on tour.
Smylie pre-qualified to play on this 12 months’s Open, an expertise he describes as the most effective he’s had in golf.
“Simply being with these different gamers, seeing what I have to do, the areas I have to sharpen up, was thrilling. However, ultimately, it’s only a common event and every little thing I do I attempted to maintain the identical – perhaps with a bit extra pleasure,” he stated.
Twice a runner up over the primary six occasions, Jak Carter is one other of the younger weapons knocking on the door in the hunt for his first tour victory.
Smylie says he’s properly organised, meticulous in his preparation for a event and all the time ‘able to go’ on Thursdays.
When he’s touring he likes to separate up his days – follow and put together within the mornings; sightsee and loosen up within the afternoons.
“In any case, we get to go to a number of the most wonderful components of the world,” he stated.
He’s constructed up a bunch of pals on tour. “We’ve dinner collectively and root for one another, We’re all taking part in to win, in fact, however we’re additionally taking part in in opposition to the course.”
After working with Queensland’s Ian Triggs for many of his profession, Smylie joined Western Australian Ritchie Smith’s workforce early this 12 months and believes the true advantages of that transfer will turn into obvious within the subsequent 12 months.
