The 30-year-old kept her nerves intact on Thursday to capture a 21-19 maiden singles title in the final over West Australian Kristina Krstic.

But confirmation Van Asch has been playing pregnant since the Commonwealth Games dual gold-medal success nearly three months ago was only met with a chuckle.

Three unassuming words on a tweet from the open’s broadcaster SBS was the first time it was made public.

For Van Asch that was more of a distraction to her performance on the green.

The recently crowned Tasmanian Athlete of the Year said she has no constraints to continue playing for months. 

“We are probably lucky in our sport in that sense that we can keep playing until it’s uncomfortable – that’s my plan,” Van Asch said.

“But I don’t really have any plans at this stage at how long I will bowl for before the birth because I really just want to play it by ear and see how I am feeling, I guess.”

The stance is one that leading female sports stars have continued to battle.

Serena Williams won her 2017 Australian Open eight weeks pregnant and US middle-distance star Alysia Montano once even competed eight months with child.

Van Asch is only too happy to follow suit.

“During the second trimester, I already have a lot of competitions on,” she said.

“I’m actually heading to the UK on Tuesday and headed on a tour for three weeks.

“I have a lot planned over the next few months to play a lot of bowls. 

“So, this is something we’ll just play by ear a little bit.

“I just want to see how I am feeling physically and whether I am up to it still.

“My plan is to play as long as I can until it gets too uncomfortable, but then try and get back as quick as I can.”