Golf-Australia's Smylie beaming with PGA Championship exemption

FILE PHOTO: Golf - The 152nd Open Championship - Royal Troon Golf Club, Troon, Scotland, Britain - July 18, 2024 Australia's Elvis Smylie hits his approach on the 11th fairway during the first round REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge/File Photo

MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Rising talent Elvis Smylie has been given a late exemption to the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow after claiming the Australasian tour order of merit in 2024-25.

The Australian 23-year-old and son of former women's tennis professional Liz Smylie follows in the footsteps of the previous two order of merit winners, David Micheluzzi and Kazuma Kobori, who were each given late exemptions to the major.