From teaching lessons at Kiama Golf Club to competing against some of the world’s best at the BMW Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club, 23-year-old Wil Daibarra is representing Kiama on the world stage.

Daibarra earned his spot in the prestigious event after a remarkable victory at the National Associate Championship on November 17, coming from six shots behind the leader to claim the title.

As the winner, Daibarra earned the opportunity to compete in the BMW Australian PGA Championship, held from November 21 to 24, alongside some of the world's top golfers. He admits it took a moment to calm his nerves.

“I was hitting balls next to Jason Day and Kiradech Aphibarnrat. It was pretty overwhelming seeing them right next to me on the putting green. I felt a little out of place at first, but as the week went on, I calmed down and got into the groove,” says Daibarra.

The weather in Queensland was wild during the tournament, with 150mm of rain causing Friday’s play to be canceled. The harsh conditions and the added pressure of playing in front of a large crowd impacted Daibarra’s game.

“I had a 1pm tee-off on the first day and got off to a hot start, shooting 2 under through 9. But then the rain started, the wind picked up, and I had a couple of bogeys. Friday was rained out, and on Saturday, with the weekend crowds, there were so many people out there,” says Daibarra.

He finished the tournament at 6 over par, in 139th place overall. Though he wasn't thrilled with his performance, he relished the experience.

“I wasn’t happy with how I played, but it was definitely nerve-racking—I'd never played in front of that many people before, and the course was tough. There were a few things I could have done better, but overall, it was a fantastic experience,” Daibarra says.

In an interview with PGA Australia, Kiama Golf Club Professional Shaun O'Toole, who mentored Daibarra early on, described him as a natural talent with a laid-back attitude that made him stand out as a golfer.

“I’ve worked with a lot of great kids, and Wil just had something in his swing that stood out to me,” O’Toole said. “There was no pressure on him. He had no expectations. He just went out and played and kept winning. It seemed like the easiest game in the world for him.”

However, Daibarra acknowledges that the nerves and pressure caught up with him at the tournament. He’s now focused on managing his emotions and expectations to perform at his best.

“On the first tee, I was so nervous I hit it way right. But once I got through that first hole, I was good. By the next day, I felt much more confident. It's something I’ve been working on—managing my expectations and emotions,” says Daibarra.

Looking ahead, Daibarra is in the final year of his PGA Associate traineeship and has set his sights on playing his way onto the PGA Tour.

“I’m finishing up my traineeship, with about a month to go. Next year, I hope to attend Qualifying School to secure a spot on the Australasian Tour. That’s the goal,” Daibarra says.