Australian PGA Championship: Cameron Smith in final round showdown with protege Elvis Smylie

When you’re trying to beat the best, it helps when you’ve had a behind-the-curtain look at what makes Cameron Smith tick. Can the learner trump the teacher?

Cameron Smith and Elvis Smylie with Tyler Duncan (centre) from the Cameron Smith Scholarship in 2019. Picture: Golf Australia

If you want to be one of the best, you might as well learn from them as well.

But few have had a behind-the-curtain look at what makes Cameron Smith tick like a young gun trying to halt his latest quest at Australian golfing immortality.

Elvis Smylie is chasing a breakout win at the Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland, and by the time he steps onto the first tee alongside Smith in the final group on Sunday, there will be no need for introductions.

Not only does Smylie know Smith, he’s stayed with him at Florida, traded tips and even practised at the famed TPC Sawgrass.

Smylie, Duncan and Smith at the gym. Picture: Golf Australia

It was all part of Smylie winning the scholarship named after the British Open winner, and now Smith has to thwart the threat of one of his proteges.

“What he’s done for Australian golf and what he continues to do, he’s been a great role model of mine for a very long time,” Smylie said.

“[I learned] what life is like being one of the best golfers in the world and what he goes through on a day-to-day basis. At the time, he was practising at TPC Sawgrass and we got to have a couple of practice rounds with him there.

“To be able to pick his brain on certain things [was invaluable]. He’s obviously playing his own game and I’m playing my own game. There will be casual conversation between the two of us, but he’s wanting to beat me as much as I’m wanting to beat him.”

Smylie booked a final group berth alongside Smith after making birdie on the last hole of his second round on Saturday for a four-under 67, joining Smith (-10) in a share of the 36-hole lead. Marc Leishman (66) is one stroke behind and also chasing his first major professional win in Australia.

The rain-marred tournament, which has been reduced to 54 holes, will now feature the biggest day of Smylie’s young and blossoming career after he scored his maiden professional victory in the WA Open last month. Smith is chasing a remarkable fourth Joe Kirkwood Cup.

Smylie, 22, has always been destined for a long and successful career, and has the benefit of drawing on the expertise of his mother, former Australian tennis star Liz Smylie.

Elvis Smylie. Picture: Getty Images

Cameron Smith. Picture: Patrick HAMILTON / AFP

Asked if he was now ready to win one of the big Australian majors, Smylie said: “Definitely.

“I always believed I could [win a professional event], I just didn’t know when the time was going to come. To get my first win a couple of weeks back, it definitely felt like I could play with a bit more freedom.

“I feel more comfortable in my own skin knowing I can hit the shots required coming down the stretch on Sunday. I will recall on that.

“This is a home game for me and I only live an hour away. I’ve played Royal Queensland a lot of times – probably not as much as Cam – but I still know the course really well.”