Elvis Smylie confident of improved showing in his second tilt at golf major

Elvis Smylie will pace himself in the build-up to this week’s US PGA Championship in his bid to make the cut at a golf major for the first time.

Having learnt his lesson at last year’s Open Championship, Elvis Smylie is adamant he will be better prepared and fresher for his second tilt at one of golf’s four majors this week at the US PGA Championship.

Granted a special exemption to play at Quail Hollow, Smylie intends to make the most of his opportunity in his first event in the US as a professional.

“It’s highly regarded as one of the best golf courses in America,” the 23-year-old left-handed Queenslander said.

“Playing my second major is something that really excites me, and I really can’t wait for the opportunity.”

Smylie missed the cut at the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon in his maiden appearance in a major.

Elvis Smylie says he’s better prepared for his second title at a golf major this week. Picture: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

“It wasn’t quite the result that I’ve wanted to have, but I wanted to try to not let the result dictate how I felt after that week,” he said.

“I felt like I still took a lot out of that.”

Including the need not to overdo himself in the days leading up to a major.

“I tended to play a little bit too much, and then my practice rounds were going for a little bit too long.” he said.

“Being able to get my work done and getting out of there will help you feel really refreshed by the time (the four rounds from) Thursday to Sunday comes about because you know you’re going to be feeling a lot of adrenaline, excitement and nerves.

“Trying to pace yourself by the time Thursday gets about will be the step for me moving forward (at the US PGA Championship).

“I’d love to play all four rounds at a major. That’s a realistic goal for me, and then once we can get through those first two rounds, then it’s just about just really embracing what you’re feeling and just going after it.”

Smylie, whose win at last year’s Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland secured him a DP World Tour card, said his game was in “really good shape” and well-rounded having since competed in tournaments in Europe, Asia and Africa.

Smylie is preparing for his first appearance at the US PGA Championship. Picture: William West / AFP

“I feel like my game’s always been pretty good for the last couple of months, but just mentally, I’ve been really good at just being able to navigate around the golf courses that I’ve played all for the first time,” he said.

“All the courses and countries that I’ve been to … they’re all first visits for me, so my mental ability to be able to grind out scores when there have been parts of my game that haven’t been sharp, I’ve always just found a way to get it around.

“The key for me playing great golf is if I drive well and I putt well. If I can get those two working really, it’ll be a promising week (at Quail Hollow).”

Smylie said he would not be “overwhelmed” by rubbing shoulders with the world’s best players this week.

“I feel like I really do belong. I also think of it as an opportunity to see how good my game is against these guys,” said Smylie, who is part of an Australian contingent at Quail Hollow that also includes Jason Day, Cameron Smith, Adam Scott, Min Woo Lee, Cameron Davis and Karl Vilips.

“I want to be a global player, and I want to see how good my game can get, anywhere I play,” he said.

Originally published as Elvis Smylie confident of improved showing in his second tilt at golf major