Queenslander Elvis Smylie is counting down the minutes until he finals begins his campaign at the British Open at Royal Troon, admitting he got “goosebumps” when he qualified—and is now ready to show why he belongs.
Smylie, now 22, has been tipped to reach golf’s highest ranks since he burst into the scene at 19 and will finally get to show everyone why when he plays at Royal Troon this week.
While many would be daunted by the chance, Smylie admits he “can’t wait.” That’s not cockiness or anything either. The Gold Coast star has just been counting down the years and months to these moments like he’s counting down the minutes in South Ayrshire.
The 22-year-old joins Cameron Smith, Min Woo Lee, Adam Scott, Jasper Stubbs and Jason Day in the field for the year’s final major, which will start on July 18. Again, it would be daunting company for anyone in the golfing world. For Smylie, it feels like home. “Just being surrounded by those kinds of guys, I do feel like I belong and I do feel like I can compete [at The Open],” the Aussie youngster said as the opening day looms. “I’m really excited for the opportunity.”
Funnily enough, things could have actually happened even earlier for the Queenslander too. While he did finally make it to the year-end major, there was a time when he was expected to do it all so much faster. He soared from 1,571st in the world as an amateur to 494th two months later, only to have things stall when he travelled overseas.
Smylie doesn’t think it’s a bad thing it’s taken a while though—it’s just given him more lessons.
“Looking back on it, I think it’s been a blessing in disguise,” Smylie said. “Everything I’ve gone through from Rosebud to now is going to help shape me into the person that I’ll be in five, 10 years’ time. As much as it’s a little bit odd saying this, maybe it’s a good thing that everything’s happened this way.
“The last time I went to The Open was at Royal Troon in 2016 when I was 14,” he added. “Going there as a spectator eight years ago and now going back as a competitor—I don’t know what to say. I just can’t wait for the experience.”
Smylie begins his Open on July 18. Tee times aren’t out yet.
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