ELVIS Smylie made such an impression when he burst into big-time Australian golf three years ago that it seemed inevitable the Queenslander would win early and often – not just in this country, but throughout the world.

Smylie, the 19-year-old with the good looks and the silky smooth left-hand swing, was still an amateur when he shot matching weekend rounds of 63 to come within a stroke of winning the 2021 Webex Players Series Victoria event at Rosebud.

When he turned professional and, a month later, tied for third in the Players Series Sydney, then was runner-up in the NSW Open, Smylie seemed to have the world at his feet.

In the coming months, however, he was to discover just how difficult it is to win a golf tournament. 

Like with Justin Rose, the teenage amateur who exploded onto the golf scene in 1998 with his fourth placing in the Open Championship, turned professional, then hardly made a cut for the next two years, there were quiet whispers that perhaps his early success was just a flash in the pan.

But, while others may have doubted him, Smylie, now 22, never stopped believing in his ability, or his right to be competing against the world’s best.

“Outside noise!” he described the commentary. “Golf is a difficult game with many more lows than highs. 

“You must be patient and believe that the work you’re doing will put you in a position to win.

“As soon as I turned pro I went straight to the European Tour and just got everything thrown at me at once,” he said. “It was tricky dealing with that. But stepping back a bit, what has happened has been a blessing in disguise.

“As time’s gone on, I think I’ve appreciated everything that has happened. I’ve got a better perspective on how I can manage everything as well as I can moving forward.”

“Golf teaches you so many things, both about the game and about yourself as a person. What has happened over the past few years will help shape me into the person I’ll become.” 

Elvis Smylie was finally a winner, capturing the WA Open title in a playoff over Jak Carter.

Smylie was perhaps as much relieved as he was delighted when he broke through to win his first tournament, the Western Australian Open at Mandurah in October, pipping the unlucky Jak Carter in a playoff.

“It meant everything to me,” he said. “It was great to win for all the people, my family, my friends, who have helped me so much.”

With the first three placegetters on the Australasian PGA Tour at season’s end assured of status on the DP World Tour – Smylie was in second place after the Queensland PGA – he is hopeful of returning to Europe next year.

He enjoys touring, though he says it takes time to get used to living out of a suitcase and being away from home.

“My parents help,” Smylie said. “When I was playing in the Open at Troon this year my mum was commentating at Wimbledon and we were able to spend some time together.”

Mum, of course, is former tennis star Liz Smylie, a one-time Wimbledon doubles champion. Dad Peter was also a tennis professional, and Smylie said their experience as professional sports people has helped him on tour.

Smylie pre-qualified to play in this year’s Open, an experience he describes as the best he’s had in golf.

“Just being with those other players, seeing what I need to do, the areas I need to sharpen up, was exciting. But, in the end, it’s just a regular tournament and everything I do I tried to keep the same – maybe with a bit more excitement,” he said.

Twice a runner up over the first six events, Jak Carter is another of the young guns knocking on the door in search of his first tour victory.

Smylie says he’s well organised, meticulous in his preparation for a tournament and always ‘ready to go’ on Thursdays. 

When he’s touring he likes to split up his days – practice and prepare in the mornings; sightsee and relax in the afternoons. 

“After all, we get to visit some of the most amazing parts of the world,” he said.

He’s built up a group of friends on tour. “We have dinner together and root for each other, We’re all playing to win, of course, but we’re also playing against the course.”

After working with Queensland’s Ian Triggs for most of his career, Smylie joined Western Australian Ritchie Smith’s team early this year and believes the real benefits of that move will become apparent in the next 12 months.