West Australian Abbie Teasdale has claimed her maiden WPGA Tour of Australasia win in just her second start as a professional at the Drummond Golf Melbourne International at Latrobe Golf Club today.
Teasdale and Queensland’s Jordan O’Brien both finished the 36-hole tournament at one-under par, Teasdale clinching victory at the first playoff hole.
It took something special from O’Brien to force the tournament to an extra hole, making eagle on her final hole to match Teasdale’s one-under total. But it was the rookie who would prevail at the first playoff hole to mark an astonishing start to her professional career.
“It’s weird to think that I can actually compete as a pro,” Teasdale said.
“It’s boosted my confidence, especially as that’s something I lack. Particularly as last week didn’t go to plan and it wasn’t the best start. I was pretty upset for a few days, but I moved on and it’s turned out my way here today.”
Despite stormy conditions that forced a weather delay during the first round, Teasdale posted even-par 72 for a share of fourth heading into round two.
With sunny skies and only a slight breeze, Teasdale rose to the top of the leaderboard with a round of one-under 71 to finish level with O’Brien and two strokes clear of fellow West Australian Kathryn Norris (74), Claire Shin (73) of New South Wales and Japan’s Hinata Ikeba (72).
“I’ve been struggling a lot with my putting and standing over the ball for too long so I wasn’t confident coming into this event, even though I’ve been playing well,” said Teasdale, who missed the cut at last week’s Webex Players Series Perth. “But I just kept trying to work with what I’ve got.
“I’ve been hitting the ball well and just tried to get it close and hope that even-par was enough.”
Since earning her status at WPGA Tour of Australasia Qualifying School on New Year’s Eve, Teasdale said that the shift to being a pro has already been eye-opening.
“I realise I have to put in a lot more work than I have been doing because it’s literally my career,” she added. “The reality is that it’s not a good feeling to have no money so it’s definitely a big eye-opener about how hard you have to work.”
The 22-year-old’s win will help boost her chances of securing a spot in the rest of the WPGA Tour events for 2025, including the three co-sanctioned Ladies European Tour events. In the meantime, the West Australian is focused on trying to play the best she can.
“My key goal was to get my Order of Merit as high as I could,” Teasdale said. “I wasn’t guaranteed all the events, so I hope this gets me into a lot more events than I’d planned to be in.
“I just want to keep being at the top of the leaderboard and try to do as best as I can. Not just for the sake of being on top but to show myself that I can do it.”
Teasdale will next tee it up at the Webex Players Series Victoria tournament at Rosebud Country Club starting next Thursday, followed by the Vic Open in February.
