Elvis Smylie rumored to join LIV Golf’s Ripper GC in 2026 – Aussie Golfer

Elvis Smylie, the 23-year-old Queenslander who burst onto the scene with his impressive 2024 BMW Australian PGA Championship win and a strong rookie year on the DP World Tour (where he finished 23rd in the Race to Dubai), suddenly finds himself at the center of the LIV golf chatter.

Several credible outlets including The Times of London, Sports illustratedAnd Golf week report that Smylie has signed a contract with LIV Golf ahead of the 2026 season. These reports suggest he will join the all-Australian “Ripper GC” team, captained by Cameron Smith, and move into the space left by veteran Matt Jones.

Smylie’s reported signing comes during a turbulent offseason for LIV. The competition has moved to a 72-hole structure and expanded to 57 players. Notable additions in the same wave include Thomas Detry, Victor Perez and Laurie Canter, while the departure of Brooks Koepka significantly shuffled the roster.

Confirmation from Smylie or LIV is still pending, but all signs point to a formal announcement in early February, when LIV Golf begins its 2026 season in Saudi Arabia. Smylie would then have to decide whether to pursue future paths on the PGA or DP World Tours or make a full pivot to the Saudi-backed circuit.