LIV Golf Star withdraws from The Open and reveals reason in a statement
Golfers compete in the final round of the 61st Yuengling Open at the Fort Myers Country Club in Fort Myers on Sunday, March 5, 2023. Fnp 20230305 Yuenlingopen 0048
Golfers compete in the final round of the 61st Yuengling Open at the Fort Myers Country Club in Fort Myers on Sunday, March 5, 2023. Fnp 20230305 Yuenlingopen 0048
LIV Golf’s Elvis Smylie won’t be featuring at his third Open next week. The 24-year-old will be missing out due to a rib injury.
The medical issue has been lingering for some time now, and Smylie’s medical team believes that prolonged rest would be best for the golfer.
"It is with great disappointment that I have to confirm that, due to a rib injury that has been causing me some discomfort, my medical team has advised me to take an extended break from golf to undergo rehabilitation to return to full fitness. Unfortunately, this means I have had to withdraw from all upcoming events, including The Open Championship," Smylie wrote on his Instagram Story (now removed).
GOLF AUSTRALIAN OPEN, Elvis Smylie of Australia on the fourth tee during the Australian Open Golf tournament at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Melbourne, Thursday, December 4, 2025. NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY MELBOURNE VICTORIA AUSTRALIA PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxAUSxNZLxPNGxFIJxVANxSOLxTGA Copyright: xCONxCHRONISx 20251204167442754386
GOLF AUSTRALIAN OPEN, Elvis Smylie of Australia on the fourth tee during the Australian Open Golf tournament at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Melbourne, Thursday, December 4, 2025. NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY MELBOURNE VICTORIA AUSTRALIA PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxAUSxNZLxPNGxFIJxVANxSOLxTGA Copyright: xCONxCHRONISx 20251204167442754386
It would’ve been three straight appearances at The Open for the Aussie. Last year, Smylie qualified for the major by winning the Order of Merit on the PGA Tour of Australasia, as reported by GolfMagic.
This time around, it was his 23rd rank on the Race to Dubai rankings that secured his spot at Royal Birkdale. He’ll miss out on that as well as the Genesis Scottish Open this week.
"It's an incredibly difficult decision, but it's the right one to ensure I don't aggravate the injury any further and can come back fully fit. I'll be doing everything I can to get back as soon as possible, and I look forward to seeing everyone again soon," he added on his Instagram.
As he focuses on rehabilitation and returning to full fitness, Smylie will miss what would have been his second major appearance of the season.
Earlier this year, Smylie teed it up at Aronimink in the PGA Championship and registered a tied-for-75th finish. He failed to qualify for the Masters or the U.S. Open.
Before the injury setback, Smylie had experienced a mixed debut campaign on the LIV Golf circuit.
Smylie’s debut LIV season
It was a dream debut for Smylie at LIV Golf Riyadh.
With an overall score of 24-under-par, the Aussie secured his first LIV title by a stroke over Jon Rahm, who stands at the top of the Individual Rankings List.
Smylie currently sits ninth in the individual standings thanks largely to that win, but with just one top-10 finish since, the injury now threatens his place in the top 10.
That came in Hong Kong, where Smylie scored 14-under-par and finished tied for eighth. The rest have been a series of disappointing finishes for the 24-year-old, as recorded on the LIV Golf website.
Now, with the rib injury, Smylie’s season stands at a crossroads, and his appearance at the remaining LIV Golf events is uncertain.
What are your thoughts on Smylie’s performance in his debut LIV season? Share your opinions in the comments.
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Written by
Avishek Sarkar
Edited by
Pulkit Prabhav