[Photo: Getty Images]
Elvis Smylie says a breakthrough DP World Tour win and a solid year on the European circuit prepared him to upstage Rory McIlroy and other experienced stars on day one at the Australian Open at a windy Royal Melbourne.
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Last year’s Australian PGA champion Smylie fired a six-under-par 65 on the Composite course in a swirling northerly wind on Thursday. New Zealand’s Ryan Fox, who won his first two PGA Tour titles earlier this year, and LIV golfer Carlos Ortiz, later matched Smylie’s 65 in the afternoon wave.
Reigning Masters winner McIlroy had a colourful scorecard as he struggled with the blind tee shots and sloped greens during a one-over 73 with five birdies and six bogeys. The Northern Irishman was met by thousands of fans who lined up for the 6.30am gate opening and his 7.05am AEDT tee time with playing partners Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee. The two Australians both shot two-under 69s while countryman Cam Smith in the group behind was one-under after a 70.
Smylie continued his gradual rise since winning the 2024 Australian PGA by ending his first full year as a DP World Tour member at 23rd on the Race to Dubai rankings. He came within striking distance of a transfer to the PGA Tour through the top-10 program.
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“It just goes to show how much I’ve learnt over on the DP World Tour, week in, week out, you’re always adjusting and adapting as the courses and climates are so different so you’re constantly adding tools to your toolbox,” Smylie said. ” I embrace days like today, I think I belong, and I know that, and I believe that and I’m just happy that I’m able to be able to showcase that on a stage like this.”
The 23-year-old Queenslander began with a bogey at the 10th, his first hole, but made three straight birdies between the 13th and 15th. He added four more on his second nine to finish six-under paired with Smith and 2016 Masters champion Danny Willett.
Scott, the 2009 Australian Open champion, eagled the par-5 14th in a 69 that kept him in contention.
“It was a great day – I mean, playing with Rory and Min and fighting to get to the 10th tee this morning with the crowds was good fun,” former world No.1 Scott said. “The course held up well even in some of the most challenging wind I’ve probably ever played out here. I’m happy with the end results, I mean, it’s easy to be critical, but maybe I shouldn’t be … it’s very hard to keep it under control out there.”
