Whether or not he becomes the next Tiger Woods, Portarlington associate professional Max Edmanson has taken the biggest step of his fledgling golf career.

Edmanson on Monday won his first professional tournament, the Mornington PGA Associate Match.

His one-stroke victory against a quality field of his peers, all doing “traineeships” around Victoria, was equal parts relief and excitement for the laid-back 22-year-old.

“Yeah, it’s a good feeling, but I’m pretty relieved, to be honest,” Edmanson said today after edging out Baxter Droop with four back-nine birdies.

“I hadn’t been playing well at all, even on Sunday when I was just mucking around with Dean Jeffrey and Sam Beeston at Port.

“I asked Dean to take a video of my swing and when I looked at it, I just saw something that I worked on and yesterday it all just popped into place.”

Edmanson, in the third year of his PGA membership pathway program under club pro Matt Milne, had played several rounds at Mornington in the past year or so because the PGA had used it as a base for a few rounds during periods of Covid travel restrictions.

“They had a couple of temporary holes in play yesterday (dropping par from 72 to 70), but I like it and it suits my eye, so I felt good most of the day,” he said.

“The driver was on and I hit 15 of 18 greens and … when I was a little bit nervous towards the end … I still hit good shots up the last couple of holes.”
Edmanson’s bogey-free 65 was his equal best score to par, matching his 66 at Portarlington and earning him loose change in excess of $220.

“I think it helps fuel the fire a little bit, knowing you can get it done against some really good players,” he said.

"I’m not knocking the money, it’s nice. But it’s more of a feeling that’s important. It will give me more belief in myself, just knowing your game can hold up under pressure.”

Milne was full of praise for Edmanson, who’s become very popular among the Portarlington membership.

“Your first win is always very sweet and hopefully many more will follow,” Milne said.

“It’s just that added confidence that can really help you next time you’re in that situation.

“Everyone at the club can be really proud of him.”