Putting aside his own disappointment at not mounting a challenge on the final day, Elvis Smylie was thrilled it was fellow Australian Ryan Peake who saluted in the New Zealand Open at Millbrook Resort.
Now it's all but certain the pair - both coached by Ritchie Smith - will cross paths again in July in the British Open.
Courtesy of claiming his first professional victory, former bikie Peake is guaranteed a start at Royal Portrush.
And Smylie will be there too if he wraps up the 2024-25 AustralasianTour order of merit (OOM) title as expected in the next three weeks.
The only person who can catch him is Peake.
The 31-year-old was a hugely popular winner, with many of his fellow professionals cheering him on - and urging him to crack a grin - as he was presented with the NZ Open trophy beside the 18th green on Sunday.
Smylie was smiling as broadly as anyone.
"I'm just so happy for Peakey, he's such a hard worker," said Smylie, who carded a final round of 69 to finish in a tie for eighth.
"I've spent a bit of time with him and it's really cool to see him get over the line.
"It couldn't have happened to a nicer bloke."
Smith's talent-packed stable also includes Hannah Green, Minjee Lee and Min Woo Lee.
"We share pre-seasons at the start of the year in January," Smylie told AAP.
"All of the squad that Ritchie coaches is in Perth and we get to practise and train with each other, so those are the times we spend some time together in addition to being on tour.
"I'm so happy for him. This has opened so many doors, and it's only up from here for Peakey.
"I've only known him for the past year or so.
"Obviously he was a tremendous golfer growing up as well, but he has gone from strength to strength these last couple of years and it shows."
