Brisbane, Australia: Elvis Smylie claimed a "life-changing" two-shot victory at the Australian PGA Championship on Sunday after staring down major winner Cameron Smith to secure his maiden DP World Tour title.
The 22-year-old Australian began the third and final day of the Brisbane tournament, which was shortened to 54 holes due to torrential rain, level with Smith at 10-under-par.
Left-hander Smylie held his nerve with a bogey-free 67 to finish at 14-under while playing in the final group with his idol, who carded 69 for outright second.
Smylie, the son of former tennis Grand Slam doubles champion Liz Smylie, was a recipient in 2019 of an annual scholarship run by Smith, who flies two Australian juniors to the United States to spend a week learning and practising.
He said Brisbane had been an unforgettable week.
"It's life-changing for me and I can't wait to get started," he said after securing two years' worth of status on the DP World Tour.
"I won't forget this day playing with Cam and Leish.
"They are guys I've grown up watching on TV and have idolised. It was just a dream come true." -- AFP
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