Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Elvis Smylie Wins LIV Riyadh on Debut, Edging Jon Rahm by One

The season opener doubled as LIV’s first 72-hole, OWGR-recognized event, giving top finishers valuable ranking points.

Overview

  • Smylie, 23, closed with an eight-under 64 to finish 24-under 264, holding off Rahm’s tournament-best 63 that ended with four straight birdies.
  • Ripper GC’s all-Australian lineup of Smylie, Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman and Lucas Herbert won the team title by three shots over Torque GC.
  • Smylie earned $4 million for the individual victory as Ripper GC collected a $3 million team prize, with published payouts listing Rahm second and Peter Uihlein third.
  • Only the top 10 and ties received OWGR points under the newly granted, limited accreditation, with Smylie earning roughly 23 points as the first LIV winner under the system.
  • Projections show Smylie rising from No. 134 to around No. 78 in the OWGR, focusing attention on his pathway to the majors as LIV heads next to Adelaide.