Rising Australian star Elvis Smylie has wasted little time making his mark on The International Series, with the LIV Golf rookie already planning further appearances after an encouraging debut at International Series Morocco presented by Visit Morocco.
The 24-year-old Ripper GC player continued his steady climb up the leaderboard at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam with a third-round 69, moving to eight-under-par for the tournament and sitting eight shots behind clubhouse leader and RangeGoats GC captain Bubba Watson.
The Queenslander arrives in Morocco on the back of a breakthrough 2024 season that established him as one of Australian golf’s most exciting young talents, highlighted by his victory at the BMW Australian PGA Championship. There, he closed with a final-round 67 to defeat Major winner and mentor Cameron Smith by two shots.
Smylie went on to secure the 2024–25 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit before earning his place alongside Smith, Lucas Herbert and Marc Leishman on the all-Australian Ripper GC lineup for the 2026 LIV Golf season. He made an immediate impact, claiming victory on his LIV Golf debut in Riyadh earlier this year.
While Morocco marks his first appearance on The International Series, it is unlikely to be his last. Smylie revealed he has already identified several events later in the season that he hopes to add to his schedule, including the historic Link Hong Kong Open.
“After Morocco, I’m planning to play the Hong Kong stop, it’s a course we’ve played before on LIV and one I did well at and feel comfortable on, so I’m really looking forward to going back there later in the year.”
His first experience of both Morocco and The International Series has left a strong impression.
“This is actually my first time in Morocco and my first International Series event, and it’s been great so far,” he said.
“The course is quite quirky, with a lot of doglegs, and there’s plenty of slope and movement on the greens. It’s really important to leave yourself on the right tiers when you’re putting. My last two rounds have been really solid, so hopefully I can finish strong tomorrow.”
Smylie also sees The International Series as a valuable platform between LIV Golf events, allowing players to continue competing at a high level against elite opposition.
“I want to play as much as I can when I’m not on LIV, and that’s what’s so great about the Asian Tour. It gives LIV players the chance to compete more, especially in International Series events against world-class fields. The more competition, the better for me.”
Reflecting on his first season with Ripper GC, Smylie said the team environment has been one of the most rewarding aspects of life on LIV Golf.
“It was a dream start for me on LIV this year, winning in Riyadh,” he said.
“Being part of the all-Aussie Ripper team has been fantastic. Cam Smith, Marc Leishman and Lucas Herbert are great guys to lean on and learn from.
“That team environment is really enjoyable because golf can be quite an isolating sport at times. Being able to have dinner together, practise, play and compete alongside them has helped take my game to another level. It’s also been great to bring that form into The International Series.”
