3 minute read

Teenage golfer Elvis Smylie, the son of a former tennis grand slam quarter-finalist, is fast making his own name after finding the Australian Open leaderboard.

He's the son of a gun who won't mind Elvis impersonators flocking to the Australian Golf club on Sunday as he hunts down the Stonehaven Cup.

And that's exactly what teenage amateur Elvis Smylie plans on doing after surging into Australian Open contention with a classy four-under-par 67 in Friday's second round.

"Excited with today's round so the next couple of days just keep making some putts and giving myself opportunities and see what happens," Smylie said when asked if he seriously believed he could win the Open.

"Yeah, I've been working towards it. I'm not really overwhelmed. I'm just taking it one shot at a time and see what happens."

The son of former tennis grand slam quarter-finalist Liz Smylie, the 17-year-old is bidding to become the first amateur champion since Aaron Baddeley 20 years ago.

But it's a more recent young champion in 2017 winner Cameron Davis who's providing inspiration.

"I mean, Cam's a rookie pro, as you'd like to say, so he was once in my footsteps and he's been playing some really good golf," Smylie said after ending the second round at five under and five shots behind halfway leader Matt Jones.

"He's definitely someone I've looked up to these last couple of years and it's definitely a sign that I can do the exact same as him."

Smylie earned his Open debut courtesy of his victory in this year's Australian Boys Amateur Championship.

He's already drawn a large following for his famous name as much for his obvious talent.

"All the Elvis Presley puns - 'caught in a trap' and stuff - I'm used to, but they're very funny," he said while hoping not to get caught in too many traps over the weekend.

"I've received a lot of good luck and all the best during the week, so it's definitely helped.

"I guess settle my nerves knowing that there are people back home that are supporting me and just egging me on.

"It's been a great experience and I'm just looking forward to playing over the weekend."