WA’s Abbie Teasdale claimed a first professional title in just her second pro start in a playoff at the WPGA Tour’s Melbourne International at Latrobe Golf Club.
The 22-year-old Royal Fremantle member only turned professional at the start of 2025 after earning playing rights on the WPGA Tour of Australasia at Qualifying School.
Despite missing the cut on her pro debut at last week’s Webex Players Series Perth, Teasdale was in contention throughout the 36-hole Melbourne International after an even-par first-round 72 around Latrobe’s famously tight layout.
This left her just one stroke adrift of overnight leaders Liyana Durisic, Jordan O’Brien and fellow West Aussie Kathryn Norris, who was looking for a breakthrough victory of her own after seeing partner Jordan Doull win his first pro title at Webex Players Series Perth on Sunday.
Teasdale shook off a slow start to her final round – during which she bogeyed the third and fourth holes – to reach the turn in one under par. She also bounced back from a bogey at 10 with a birdie at the next before parring her way home to set a clubhouse target of -1 for the championship.
With several fancied names – including Kelsey Bennett, Kristalle Blum, Claire Shin, Justice Bosio and Caitlin Peirce – unable to rein her in, Teasdale looked odds-on for victory in regulation play until O’Brien sensationally eagled the par-five 18th to force a playoff. Teasdale would not be denied, though, and secured her breakthrough victory at the first extra hole.
Teasdale (left) is mobbed by her fellow players after wrapping up victory
After the disappointment of missing last week’s Webex cut at her home club, Teasdale admitted she had come into this event with low expectations.
“Last week didn’t go to plan and wasn’t the best start [to my pro career],” said Teasdale. “I was pretty upset for a few days, but I moved on and it turned out my way. It’s a bit weird to think that I can actually compete as a pro!”
As for her goals now for the year ahead? Teasdale says she plans to keep it simple. “I want to keep pushing forward and making sure that I’m putting in the hard work,” she said.
“I want to keep being at the top of the leaderboards, not just for the sake of bit, but to show myself that I can do it.”
Coming into the event without fully exempt status on the WPGA Tour, her victory boosts Teasdale’s chances of competing in all the tour’s 2025 tournaments – including the three lucrative Ladies European Tour co-sanctioned events in March.
Mandurah Country Club’s Kat Norris claimed a share of third place at +1 for the championship. View the final leaderboard here.
Images: Candice High/WPGA Tour
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