LIV GOLF RIYADH

February 4, 2026

Elvis Smylie

Riyadh Golf Club

Ripper GC

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Let's welcome Elvis Smylie from Ripper GC. Great to have you with us. Well played today, 6-under par 66 in your first LIV Golf round, solid statement there, solo third after round 1. Can you talk us through your round this evening? What stood out to you as you adjusted to the format and the night conditions today?

ELVIS SMYLIE: Yeah, I felt like I did a really good job with my proximity to the hole, especially with my iron play, and then it led into my wedges. I felt like I was always giving myself putts inside 15 feet for birdie, and my putter was able to cooperate nicely, and I was able to hole some nice putts.

Q. With it being your debut, how were you feeling going out there?

ELVIS SMYLIE: Yeah, I think there was a little bit of nerves and excitement, but I think I showed what I'm capable of today or tonight, I should say. Yeah, it's an environment where I feel like I'm really thriving, and I really have some great teammates to be able to learn off and achieve some great things together.

Q. Any nerves at all today?

ELVIS SMYLIE: Yeah, there were a few nerves on the opening tee. I teed off on 16, and I bogeyed 17, but then from 18 onwards I was flawless. I felt like once I holed a couple of putts, I really settled into the environment quite nicely.

Q. Did you talk much with Cam and the guys about what it's like to play night golf? I don't know how much experience you have at it.

ELVIS SMYLIE: Yeah, I spoke to them a little bit this side of the week on what they experienced last year. I think the conditions were a lot colder last year than what they are this year, so the ball doesn't travel as far.

I also had a practice round throughout the day earlier in the week just to get a bit of an idea on the -- like the visuals on what to expect with seeing the edges of the fairways. I feel like it can change a lot from day tonight, so that was also good to get some advice on that from the Ripper guys.

But yeah, I felt like preparation has been really good.

Q. I'd like to get your opinion on the world ranking points and all those adjustments.

ELVIS SMYLIE: Yeah, it's definitely a step in the right direction. I think there's still more work to be done, but I think Scott and everyone here at LIV have done a really good job of being able to give us players the opportunity to be able to benefit from ranking points, which will therefore get us into the majors, which is incredibly important, for me especially.

But it's great that we're able to do that on a platform like LIV now.

Q. Coming from Australia and into Saudi and back to Australia next week, how has your experience been here in Saudi Arabia, and how good does it feel to go play in Australia next week?

ELVIS SMYLIE: Yeah, I've really enjoyed it. This is my first trip to Saudi Arabia. I think it's a little bit different playing at night because you're having to adjust your body clock with sleep schedules and all that.

The crowd, there's a few people watching out there, which is nice. It was nice to meet Heichi (phon), as well. He's a really nice guy.

Q. How has been your experience so far?

ELVIS SMYLIE: Yeah, I've actually really enjoyed it. I think even with the concerts and the entertainment outside of the golf, that's something that I'm really enjoying. I feel like I'm really thriving in an environment like that, and it's great to start my LIV career here in Riyadh.