Champ’s chill celebration after Smith’s viral turn

Two days after conquering Cameron Smith at the Australian PGA, Elvis Smylie arrived for the Australian Open in much better condition than his opponent did two years ago having gone “alcohol free” in his celebrations after locking in a trip to South Africa for a $9m event next week.

Footage of Smith’s significant celebrations after taking out the PGA in 2022 went viral and the dusty former world No.2 struggled at the Open the following week before launching into a barnstorming three-win season in 2023 with LIV Golf.

With that firmly in mind, Smylie, 22, enjoyed a celebratory dinner with his parents, including former tennis grand slam winner Liz, while also digesting a message of congratulations from tennis legend Ivan Lendl, a long-time family friend.

Smylie did so knowing his victory secured further passage to DP World tour events, starting with the Sun City Classic following the Open.

“I drove back down to the Gold Coast with my parents, had a nice dinner with them and then repacked the luggage and then got down on a flight yesterday at 7.30am,” Smylie said at Kingston Heath on Monday.

“So it’s been quick and no alcohol for me, I’ve been quite on my best behaviour.

“Obviously, it’s been a dream start to the Australian season for me, but there’s more that I want to achieve this year.

“There will be a time to celebrate, but for now I’m really looking forward to doing my best here at the Australian Open.”

Smylie could join an elite list, which includes names like Greg Norman and Peter Thomson, to do the PGA and Open double and said his “team” had already been reminding him that there was no room for complacency if he wanted to hit both immediate and long-term goals.

“Obviously, it’s been a dream start to the Australian season for me, but there’s more that I want to achieve this year and my team have done a really good job with easing the reins a little bit and focusing on what needs to be focused on,” he said

That focus doesn’t include singing despite boasting a name like Elvis.

“Someone actually asked me on the 18th tee at the PGA last week, at the Royal Queensland, if I can I sing,” he said

“And I smiled and I just said nowhere near as well as Elvis.”

Smylie could be smiling even more knowing his next stop after the Australian Open is the Nedbank Challenge, where he’ll be playing for his share of $9.6m, instead of the Victorian PGA Championship, the first of what loom as many big-money events to come as a member of the DP World Tour.

“It’ll be my first trip to South Africa. I’ve never been there before,” he said.

“I think it’s a top-60 player field on the Race to Dubai standings and it’s a no-cut, a $6m (US) event.

“It’s a good situation to be in with so many opportunities that I have now.”

Golfers to have won the Australian PGA/Australian Open double:

Greg Chalmers (2011)

Robert Allenby (2005)

Peter Lonard (2004)

Peter Senior (1989)

Greg Norman (1985)

Peter Thomson (1967)

Kel Nagle (1959)

Norman von Nida (1950)

Ossie Pickworth (1947)