Sitting in a hotel room 12,000km away might not have been the way she imagined it would happen, but Steph Kyriacou finally sealed the LET Rookie of the Year honours overnight.
After electing to skip the final event of the year, the Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open De Espana, Kyriacou could only look on as her primary challenger for the Rookie title, Alice Hewson of England had one last chance to steal the rookie title.
Despite a final round 69, Hewson’s 18th place finish ensured the Rookie award was heading to the St Michael’s tyro.
“It is cool to win. I didn’t know it was a thing until one of my friends sent me a screenshot and said you are leading rookie of the year.
“I didn’t know it was such a big thing.
“I’m super happy, but I was more focussed on the Order of Merit to be honest,.
“My Goal was top five,” Kyriacou said from her hotel room in Sydney.
Kyriacou caught the closing stages of the tournament overnight well aware of what was at stake. Still battling the effects of time zone changes, and with the boredom of isolation, the 20-year-old had precious little else to do anyway.
“I’m still jetlagged so I was watching, and I knew Alice had to come in the top three,” she added.
While 2020 has been awful for many, Kyriacou admitted it had been a year way beyond her expectations. Cue her plans for 2021, and the 20-year-old said she wouldn’t be resting on her laurels.
“I’ve got some goals for next year, I know I’ve got some things to work on.
“I’ve got to try and find a little bit of distance, keep up my short game and my putting.
“I’ll be down the range with Gaz (her coach Gary Barter) and back in the gym,”
“I want to go to (LPGA) Q-School next year, try and get my LPGA card, I’m not sure yet,
“Maybe I can just win a Major and get my card that way.
“Not like by eight shots, ” she said in reference to her victory at Bonville. “But a win would be nice,” she smiled.