Jake McLeod off to a flyer in Webex Players Series Victoria at Rosebud Country Club

If Jake McLeod resolved to start golf tournaments better as part of his 2025 wishlist, then he’s making a good fist of it after surging to another early lead on the PGA Tour of Australasia.

Jake McLeod in action for the Webex Player Series in Victoria.

If Jake McLeod resolved to start golf tournaments better as part of his 2025 wishlist, then he’s making a good fist of it after surging to another early lead on the PGA Tour of Australasia.

Queensland’s McLeod, 30, set the pace after the first round of the Webex Players Series Victoria tournament, taming windy conditions at the Rosebud Country Club on Thursday.

Just a fortnight after equalling the Royal Fremantle course record with a scintillating opening round at The Players Series Perth event, McLeod fired an eight-under 62 at Rosebud for the solo lead.

Fresh in his memory will be a wild weekend in Perth where his final day card was a rollercoaster from eagles to double bogeys – eventually finishing tied fourth behind Jordan Doull – but he’s given himself another shot at winning his first professional event since the 2018 NSW Open.

While most of the players at the top of the leaderboard took advantage of the calmer morning conditions, McLeod battled increasing winds during the afternoon wave for a stunning back nine of 29.

Jake McLeod in action during the first day of play at the Webex Players Series in Victoria.

His round included seven birdies and an eagle on the peninsula – which even surprised McLeod himself.

“Once we got to hole eight, (the wind) started pumping,” McLeod said.

“It’s pretty crazy out there and I was only a couple under at the time. I was just hoping to finish a couple under to be honest.

“I hit it really well off the tee today. To be honest, my hitting was what got me through. I never really hit it in trouble and it was impressive to control the ball in that wind. I’m starting to feel very comfortable hitting the shots I want to hit now.”

McLeod has a one-shot buffer from a trio of chasing New South Welshmen – Corey Lamb, Nathan Barbieri and Harrison Crowe – who all carded seven-under 63s.

Corey Lamb is one shot behind the leader. Picture: Golf Australia

Lamb, in particular, is desperate for another good week to climb the Australasian order of merit standings from seventh spot after a stretch in which he played nine events in 10 weeks before Christmas, including a final round pairing with Cameron Smith at the NSW Open.

“I just put the new driver in the bag this week,” Lamb said. “It’s been good.

“It’s the new Callaway Elite … and it is pretty elite. I didn’t really like it on Tuesday but the Callaway guy put it down a degree and it came out a lot better. I thought, ‘why not give it a go?’ I love new stuff. I feel comfortable hitting it.

“I’ve been close enough (to winning a tournament) and I wouldn’t mind getting my name on one of the trophies. You need to keep ticking the points over and the more you get, the closer you’ll get to the top three for the DP (World) Tour spot.”

Former NSW junior teammates Lamb and Crowe posted bogey-free rounds, while Barbieri poured in eight birdies as he chases a maiden professional win on tour.

Wales’ Lydia Hall, who won a women’s NSW Open qualifying event last month, was the best of the females after the first round with a six-under 64.

Originally published as Jake McLeod off to a flyer in Webex Players Series Victoria at Rosebud Country Club