Smylie wins on LIV Golf debut, Saffa shares ninth

Stimpmeter · February 8, 2026, 7:00am

Elvis Smylie produced four outstanding rounds to claim a one-shot victory on debut at Roshn Group LIV Golf Riyadh.

The 23-year-old Australian closed with a bogey-free eight-under 64 under the lights at Riyadh Golf Club to finish on 24 under, holding off a late charge from Jon Rahm.

It was the lowest winning total in league history and came in the opening event played over 72 holes following LIV Golf’s format change for 2026.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Smylie, who only officially joined Ripper GC last month. “I didn’t really know what to expect this week. Playing at night is a whole different ballgame. I wanted to come out here and make a statement, and I feel like I’ve done that. It’s only up from here.”

Smylie’s victory was built on relentless consistency and a red-hot putter. Using a new blade putter, he ranked third in the field for strokes gained on the greens, repeatedly converting chances when the pressure was at its highest.

“I felt like everything looked like it was going in,” he said.

Rahm, the Legion XIII captain and two-time LIV Golf individual champion, pushed Smylie all the way. Starting the final round two shots back, the Spaniard surged with birdies on five of his final six holes, including the last four, to post a bogey-free nine-under 63 – the lowest round of the tournament.

Rahm drove the green at the par-four 18th but could not convert the eagle putt, settling for birdie to finish one shot short on 23 under.

“Elvis had a great day,” Rahm said. “I shot nine under and gave myself a chance. If there’s anything to look back on, it’s probably earlier in the week.”

RangeGoats GC’s Peter Uihlein finished solo third on 21 under after a final-round 67, while David Puig (Fireballs GC), Thomas Pieters (4Aces GC) and Abraham Ancer (Torque GC) shared fourth place on 20 under.

South Africa’s Branden Grace, playing for Southern Guards GC, signed off with a closing 64 to share ninth position on 17 under.

Smylie’s victory also carries significant world ranking implications. With the Official World Golf Ranking confirming earlier this week that points will now be awarded for LIV Golf events, Smylie is projected to earn 23.03580 points for the win, a major boost from his pre-tournament ranking of 134th.

The team competition was decided in emphatic fashion, with Ripper GC completing a clean sweep. Supported by Smylie’s 64, Lucas Herbert’s 64, Cameron Smith’s 65 and Marc Leishman’s 69, the Australians fired a final-round team score of 26 under to finish on a league-record 69 under, three shots clear of Torque GC.

Attention now turns to LIV Golf Adelaide, where Smylie will arrive not as a promising newcomer, but as the league’s newest champion – and one his teammates believe has only scratched the surface of his potential.

Photo: Francois Nel/Getty Images

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