Queensland rising star Elvis Smylie leads the way in WA PGA

A flying finish has given rising star Elvis Smylie share of the lead at halfway mark of the WA PGA in Kalgoorlie.

Elvis Smylie is off to a cracking start at the WA PGA Championship. Picture: Getty Images

Five birdies over the final eight holes has catapulted rising Queensland sensation Elvis Smylie into a share of the lead at the WA PGA Championship at Kalgoorlie with NSW’s Lucas Higgins.

Smylie and Higgins made the most of the afternoon conditions to take a two-shot lead at the end of the second round at 10-under par, with Victorian Tom Power-Horan sitting just two strokes back in outright third after a stunning morning round that including an eagle and eight birdies in a round of 65.

Higgins, the 25-year-old from Murwillumbah near the Gold Coast, should have been the leader at halfway but bogeyed the par five 18th to move back into a share of the lead.

It was the only blemish in an otherwise superb round for Higgins, while Smylie mixed two bogeys with his eight birdies on the way to a round of 66.

It wasn’t quite as aggressive as adventurous as his opening round attack, when Smylie rattled off three eagles on the par fives but could only post a score of 68 with four bogeys.

He will enter the weekend as one of the players to beat with his ability to really attack the par fives giving him an ace up his sleeve.

“I’ve taken on a bit more of an aggressive attitude, especially towards the par-5s,” Smylie said.

“I feel like if I don’t at least be aggressive on those and go for the eagles, then I’m kind of losing shots.”

Elvis Smylie talks with his caddy at the 2023 Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club. Photo: Getty Images

Power-Horan was the clubhouse leader for most of the day. He opened with two bogeys in the first four holes, but quickly found his range as he rattled off birdie-eagle-birdie through holes five to seven to ignite his charge.

In the end Power-Horan signed for a seven-under 65 to be at eight-under par, closely followed by first round leader Kyle Michel, Lincoln Tighe, Jordan Doull and amateur Abel Eduard at seven-under par.

Michel made all the play in round one, shooting seven birdies on his way to a 66 that set the target for some low-scoring in round two.

“I just drove the ball really well. Just gave myself a lot of looks and seemed to roll in a few putts,” Michel said after his first round.

“I didn’t really find myself in much trouble, mainly on the fairway all day. That’s kind of the secret around here. You can give yourself some looks if you can do that.”

Originally published as Queensland rising star Elvis Smylie leads the way in WA PGA