Twaddell is the first Australian ever to win a
WLD Men’s Open Division event
MESQUITE, Nev. (May 8, 2023) – Sebastian Twaddell, a 22-year old rookie from Sydney, Australia, saved his best for last as he earned his first career World Long Drive win this weekend in Mesquite, Nevada. Twaddell, the world record holder for fastest ball speed (240.8 MPH), hit the final ball of the event 417 yards to beat Josh Koch 417-400 in the finals of WLD Mesquite Volume II.
The win comes just one month after Twaddell failed to advance past the Round of 64 at the last event (WLD Hobe Sound). He becomes the first Australian ever to win a World Long Drive Men’s Open Division event. With the win, Twaddell climbs to No. 19 in the world (was previously ranked No. 66).
In the Senior’s Division, Robert Oristaglio topped Eddie Fernandes with a drive of 400 yards in the final round. Fernandes outlasted Oristaglio in the finals at WLD Hobe Sound in April. Oristaglio has been one of the best in the world so far in 2023; he now has one win and two runner-up finishes in three events this season. Oristaglio is up to No. 9 in the world (previously was No. 13).
Jack Abbott captured the Amateur’s Division with a drive of 396 yards in the finals against Andrew Eigner. Abbott’s longest of the event was 427 yards. Eigner finished as the runner-up in the Amateur’s Division and 11th in the Open Division.
The next World Long Drive event is WLD La Salle, scheduled for June 9-11 in La Salle, Colorado. WLD La Salle marks the the return of the Women’s Division as well as continues the tour for the Open, Amateur, and Senior divisions. |