St.Michael’s teenager Stephanie Kyriacou has claimed the biggest win of her young career in the Australian Master of the Amateurs at Royal Melbourne Golf Club this afternoon.
Kyriacou carded a one-under-par 71 to win by three shots from Victorian Julienne Soo. Another shot behind was the overnight leader Grace Kim, who carded a disappointing four over par 76.
“I got off to a good start, I birdied two, and it gave me some momentum,”
“ I had a few sneaky bogies on eight and nine, but I bounced back with a birdie ( on the tenth), and I was pretty happy with that,” an ecstatic Kyriacou said after the round.
Kyriacou admitted to some genuine nerves over the closing stages,
“I was so nervous coming down the last hole, but I knew I had the lead down the last by a couple of shots, and I was talking to my caddie who said to stay calm just like on every other hole.
Kyriacou explained the day was one of attrition more than anything else, and one where it was important to remain in the moment.
“I mean bogey always hurt, but you’re still going to make bogeys here at Royal Melbourne. It is hard to go bogey-free. I tried to stay in the present, and not let it get to me too much.
Kyriacou said a putting tip late last night from a State teammate was the catalyst to her stirling round.
“I wasn’t putting too good, and with the help of a fellow teammate, I started to roll the ball really well today.
“I putted really good, I was really happy,” Steph said.
The win, the biggest of her career to date, may take a while to sink in.
“It’s unreal,” she beamed, “I can’t describe the feeling it’s good.”
As for the winner’s celebration, the 18-year-old kept her cards close to her chest.
“Maybe a drink, one drink and a quiet night in,” she smiled.
WINDRED FINISHES ONE BACK
Blake Windred was left wondering what if? after finishing just a shot back from a playoff berth in the men’s section of the Australian Master of the Amateurs.
THE Novocastrian carded a third two under par 70 in another consistent display heading into next week’s Australian Amateur Championship.
It was a cold putter, however that eventually caught up with the 21 year, who failed to convert a number of birdie chances during the final round.
