Elvis Smylie’s coach Ritchie Smith has admitted he turned professional “way too young”.

His comments come just days after the 22-year-old rising star won the Australian PGA Championship, having burst onto the scene in recent months.

Joining Sam McClure after round one of the Australian Open at Kingston Heath, Smith said Smylie just wasn’t experienced enough to take on the best golfers in the world.

Click PLAY to hear Ritchie Smith’s FULL interview on 3AW 

“Elvis turned pro when he was way too young,” he said on Wide World of Sports.

“He just wasn’t ready … it’s a big wild world out there and the golfers aren’t too keen for their jobs being taken by someone who’s 18 or 19 and not experienced.”

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