Elvis Smylie delivered a statement victory at LIV Golf Riyadh, edging Jon Rahm by one shot to claim his first LIV Golf title in the opening event of the 2026 season.
The Australian closed with a brilliant eight-under 64 at Riyadh Golf Club to finish at 24 under par, securing the win in LIV Golf’s first-ever 72-hole event.
Smylie shines under pressure in final round
Smylie was flawless on Saturday, posting a bogey-free round while Rahm mounted a late charge. The Spaniard birdied four consecutive holes down the stretch to apply serious pressure, but Smylie calmly parred the final hole to seal the victory.
“It’s a dream come true,” Smylie said. “I wanted to come out here and make a statement. I wanted to prove I belong out here, and I feel like I’ve done that.”
Historic debut win for the 23-year-old Australian
At just 23 years old, Smylie became the first player to win on his LIV Golf debut since Henrik Stenson in 2022. The Riyadh victory marked the third professional win of his career, adding to two earlier titles on the PGA Tour of Australasia, including the 2024 BMW Australian PGA Championship.
Rahm comes up just short after late surge
Rahm closed with a stunning seven-under 63, finishing alone in second place. Despite matching Smylie hole for hole late in the round, the Legion XIII captain was unable to force a playoff.
Both players completed the final round without a bogey, underlining the quality of golf at the top of the leaderboard.
Ripper GC completes double with team victory
It was a memorable week for Ripper GC, as Smylie’s individual triumph was complemented by a team victory. Ripper GC finished at 69 under par, three shots clear of Torque GC.
Captain Cameron Smith played his part, finishing tied for 13th as the team claimed the first team title of the 2026 LIV Golf season.
Other notable performances in Riyadh
- Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson finished tied for 17th at 14 under
- Joaquin Niemann, last season’s five-time LIV winner, ended one shot behind them
What’s next for LIV Golf
The LIV Golf League now moves to Australia, with LIV Golf Adelaide set to begin at The Grange Golf Club, continuing a fast-paced start to the 2026 season.
