There was fun, sunshine and quality golf played on the Combine Day of The Athena 2025.

Taking place on the North Course at the Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club, Claire Shin was crowned the Day 1 winner, with a total of 128.5 points.

The 19-year-old was consistent from early in the day, with her first win coming in the Trouble Shot challenge, conjuring a magical shot over the creek to just 60 centimetres in the third challenge of the day.

With a single ‘mulligan’ available to all players throughout the day, Shin opted to use hers to great effect to claim her second victory of the day in the Optimum Drive challenge.

Shin’s win on Saturday sees her walk away with a prize of $5,000 and the No.1 seed for Sunday’s Playoffs.

To top off her success on day one, Shin has been savouring the unique opportunity to mingle with fellow WPGA Tour of Australasia players over the past few days.

“It’s just been so amazing to be all here together with the girls,” said Shin.

“We’ve all been so supportive of each other and have been very goofy and in such good spirits.

“To all the ‘PK’ (Peninsula Kingswood) members, we appreciate you all coming out as well as the WPGA and to all the sponsors. They’ve all been so supportive so I’m really thankful to be here.”

With 2025 marking her second Athena, Shin said she enjoys the unique event setup.

“I like hitting a wood that is about 20 metres to the flag,” she added.

“That’s not really the kind of shot you hit as you’d normally use a wedge so it’s a great opportunity to try different options and help you improve your game more.”

With golf done differently at The Athena, there was lots of dancing, big sunglasses and even a hockey jersey.

But there was drama to finish off the day, with Steffi Vogel and Abbie Teasdale having to complete a closest to the pin playoff having tied on the leaderboard.  Twenty-six-year-old Vogel came through with the win to finish in seventh position.

Danni Vazquez Boyd took out three challenges for the day, but most special was sharing the win for the Long Drive with her roommate for the week, Sarah Yamaki Branch (212m tied).

Another stand-out performance included Amelia Mehmet Grohn, who was first away off in the Longest Putt, lipping out on the right edge of the cup to set a standard that no one could beat.

With only the top eight progressing through to Sunday’s series of four-hole knockout matches, Abbie Teasdale, Belinda Ji, Jess Whitting and Maddison Kelly unfortunately didn’t make the cut.

Ahead of the final day, Shin said she just wants to enjoy herself. 

“I’m just going to try and relax and not do too much concentration. I just want to enjoy it with the girls and have fun.”

Tune in on Sunday to see who will be crowned this year’s The Athena champion.

Watch The Athena live on Fox Sports from 2pm AEDT, available on Foxtel and Kayo.

FULL ATHENA LEADERBOARD DAY 1

Day 1 – Combine Winners
Challenge 1: 100m Shot – Steffi Vogel

Challenge 2: Flop Shot – Danni Vasquez Boyd

Challenge 3: Trouble Shot – Claire Shin (0.60m)

Challenge 4: Bunker Shot – Danni Vazquez Boyd

Challenge 5: Mystery Shot – Amelia Mehmet Grohn (1.88 with pitching wedge)

Challenge 6: Long Putt – Amelia Mehmet Grohn

Challenge 7: Longest Drive – Sarah Yamaki Branch and Danni Vazquez Boyd (212m)

Challenge 8: Optimum Drive – Claire Shin

Challenge 9: Nearest the Pin – Amy Chu (4.09m)

*Each challenge winner takes home a Bushnell Range Finder.