THERE was wind, torrential rain and a determined challenge from his two closest pursuers on the final day, however it was Elvis Smylie who prevailed, the 22-year-old winning his first professional tournament with a victory at the Bowra & O’Dea Nexus Advisernet WA Open played at the Mandurah Country Club.
Heavy rain over the closing holes, coupled with wind gusts exceeding 50kph, meant Smylie had to fight hard for his win, the Queensland lefty hitting a sublime approach shot on the first playoff hole to beat South Australian Jak Carter.
The pair had finished level on 19-under par at what was the 100th year of the WA Open, one shot clear of Perth native Curtis Luck.
Smylie shot rounds of 67-64-65-69 around the par-71 layout, while Carter opened with a tournament low 62 on Thursday and took a one stoke lead into the final round.
At the first extra hole when Carter, who made a spectacular birdie of his own on the 72nd hole to force the tie, bogeyed after finding the trees off the tee, it was Smylie’s wedge shot to within a metre which saw him come out on top and collect the $31,500 winner’s cheque.
Elvis Smylie battled atrocious weather conditions on the final day to take out the 100th WA Open.
“It means absolutely everything,” Smylie said. “I’ve been busting my backside out here for the last three years and to be able to get my first win, it means absolutely everything.”
Speaking of the shot that sealed his victory, Smylie says he turned to a gap wedge that was responsible for another memorable moment a day earlier.
“I actually used the exact same club that I used on 16 in the third round to hole-out with. So definitely have some good vibes with the 50-degree wedge at the moment,” he said.
“Hit a nice low flighted wedge shot and I’m not sure exactly where it landed. It’s an elevated green, but obviously hit it to about two foot and really nice to knock it in and notch my first win that way.”
Coming off a third-place finish at the WA PGA Championship the week prior, Smylie takes over the top spot on the Order of Merit.
Sixteen-year-old West Australian Ollie Marsh was the low amateur, finishing the tournament tied for 25th in taking home the Terry Gale Cup, while NSW golfer Lochie Smith made it back-to-back wins in the All Abilities championship.
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