If you thought that Brook Koepka’s departure from LIV Golf back to the PGA Tour was a sign of the two tours getting closer together, it doesn’t appear that way. LIV Golf has just announced that the all-Australian Team Ripper, captained by Cam Smith, has a new signing in young gun Elvis Smylie. It’s a huge move for the young Aussie, putting his future in the hands of the breakaway Tour rather than chasing a place on the USPGA Tour.
The PGA Tour opened the door for other LIV golfers to return to the PGA when it allowed Brooks Koepka to return. Australia’s Cam Smith was rumoured to be considering a return to the PGA as well, however he quickly got on the front foot saying LIV Golf was his preference for his golfing future.
This is a very interesting development, with LIV Golf now home to four of possibly the best six Australian golfers currently on Tours around the world (Min Lee Woo and Adam Scott the exceptions).
Here’s the full release from LIV Golf regarding Elvis Smylie;
Ripper GC of the LIV Golf League, the global golf league blending world-class competition with entertainment and culture to grow the game worldwide, today announced the signing of Australian rising star Elvis Smylie, securing one of the country’s most exciting young talents as the team continues to champion Australian golf on the global stage.
Smylie joins a roster that already blends seasoned champions with a balanced, competitive core, underscoring Ripper GC’s mission to spotlight and elevate Australian golf.
Smylie, 23, arrives after a breakout 2024-25 professional run that included a statement win at the Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club that affirmed his readiness for the global spotlight. He joins a Ripper GC roster that embodies the full spectrum of Australian golf excellence, lining up alongside Captain Cam Smith, one of the most accomplished Australian players of his generation; Marc Leishman, a proven winner and team anchor who delivered Ripper GC’s lone individual victory at LIV Golf Miami in 2025; and Lucas Herbert, a multiple-time international champion whose consistency and short game have made him a key contributor.
Collectively, the group reflects Ripper GC’s identity as Australia’s only professional golf team, mixing major-championship pedigree, international experience, and next-generation talent, with Smylie’s arrival signalling a clear investment in the future of Australian golf.
“Growing up in Australia, you understand what golf means back home – the history, the mateship, and the pride that comes with representing your country,” Smylie said. “To join Ripper GC, led by my long-term mentor, Cam Smith, at a time when Australian golf is growing the way it is means a lot to me.”
“I’m proud to be part of something that embodies where the game has been, and where it’s going next.”
Smylie arrives as one of the fastest-ascending players in Australian golf, positioned firmly among the nation’s next generation of elite competitors. A former recipient of the Cam Smith Scholarship for promising Australian golfers, the signing represents a full-circle moment for the Queensland native. Smylie, the son of former Australian tennis doubles star Liz Smylie, heralds from an elite Australian sporting pedigree. Smylie enjoyed a defining stretch in late 2024, capturing his first professional victory at the Bowra & O’Dea Nexus Advisement Western Australia Open, before backing it up one month later with the Australian PGA Championship win.
“Signing Elvis is a huge moment, not just for Ripper GC, but for Australian golf,” said Ripper GC Captain Cam Smith. “He represents the next wave of Australian talent coming through at a time when the sport is absolutely booming back home. Elvis has already shown he can win under pressure, compete against world-class fields, and perform on big stages.”
Smylie’s signing comes at a historic moment for the game in Australia; More than four million Australians played golf in the past year, marking the strongest and most sustained period of growth in the sport in more than three decades. Junior participation and club membership continue to surge nationwide, denoting a powerful pipeline of future talent and fans.
“Cam’s vision has always been to provide a pathway for young Australian golfers to excel on the global stage. Elvis represents the best of all of the young crop of players currently in Australia, and we believe that his playing ability gives us the best chance of success in 2026 as a team,” said Ripper GC General Manager Nick Adams. “We are incredibly excited to have him as part of the group, and we look forward to helping him in his golf journey to become an elite player.”
Australian fans will first be able to see the new Ripper GC line-up in action at the supercharged LIV Golf Adelaide, Australia’s premier golf event that is redefining what it means to experience the sport. The standout tournament will return to The Grange Golf Club from February 12-15, 2026 for another unforgettable summer showcase where sport, culture and entertainment collide. A three-time award winner of World’s Best Golf Event, LIV Golf Adelaide has drawn more than 260,000 fans and contributed more than $217 million to South Australia’s economy since the event’s inception in 2023. The 2025 event generated a record $81.46 million. The 2026 LIV Golf Adelaide experience will once again deliver a full festival atmosphere, with a four-day concert line-up featuring Peking Duk (Thursday), Royel Otis (Friday), John Summit (Saturday), and fan-favourite FISHER (Sunday), with all tournament tickets including access to live music performances at The Grange.
From today's press conference with Elvis;
"I believe this is the next step in order for me to become the golfer I want to be. You look at the roster here and there's so many Major Champions that have had so much success and I feel like this is the next step for me to try and learn as much as I can off them.
"Playing globally is a big goal of mine. Week in and week out you are always learning so many different things and you are always adding to your toolbox. I'm excited for what the future holds here at LIV Golf." Elvis Smylie