Like any global sport, the Australians at the top of women’s professional golf have a strong mix of camaraderie and friendly rivalry that grows more evident as the numbers in the major winners list increase. Steph Kyriaciou loves the mateship on tour. But she wants into the club.
The final chance of 2025 to join the exclusive list of Major champions is on offer this week, when the AIG Women’s Open arrives at Royal Porthcawl in Wales for the first time.
With a record contingent of Australians playing week-to-week on the LPGA Tour, and the numbers in the field this week growing after Final Qualifying, Steph Kyriacou is hoping similarities to home and some reflection provides the right mix so that she's not left behind in the winning stakes by her compatriots.
“There's a whole bunch of us out here now, isn't there? I mean, it's nice to have some other Aussies,” Kyriacou said on Monday.
“I don’t know what Greeny (Hannah Green) and Minjee (Lee) were like if it was just them two or not. But yeah, it's nice to have a couple Aussie mates and to hear the accent. It is very refreshing.
“I mean, it's kind of pretty competitive against all of us, I would say.
“Gracie's (Grace Kim) got one up on me, or two up on me, so I need to get a little wriggle along, don't I?”
Having just taken her first look at Royal Porthcawl, considered a world class example of links golf located between Cardiff and Swansea, Kyriacou was positive about the direction of her game and approach heading into the last major of the year.
Making the cut in three of four majors so far this year, with a best finish of T14 at the Amundi Evian Championship - where fellow Sydneysider Kim triumphed - Kyriacou feels fresh after a week to forget at the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open.
“I feel good. We had a little team chat the other day, so have some things that I want to put in this week and just more about how I'm going to play golf,” the 24-year-old said.
“Not so much about performance stuff. Hopefully that helps me a bit. I think it will, I'm looking forward to it.”
The two-time Ladies European Tour winner is looking forward to a course and conditions that are very familiar to where learnt the game, at St Michael’s Golf Club in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, where wind and creativity are expected parts of every round.
“It's proper links. It's going to be fun," the world No.42 said of Royal Porthcawl. "A couple blind tee shots, lots of slopes in the greens. It's windy, right on the beach, so yeah, it's going to be proper links week,
“I mean, I love links golf. I love playing in the wind. I grew up at St. Mick’s, which is on the water. I've grown up trying to be creative, so I feel like that's when I play my best golf.”
Preparing for every eventuality during her first practice round and learning an entirely new venue, Kyriacou threw a number of balls into the long rough.
When asked what she will take from the experience into the tournament, she laughed and said: “Well, ideally I don't miss one!”
“But it's a bit inconsistent in the rough. Some parts are okay, and then other parts are 'no bueno'.”
One of eight Australians already guaranteed a start, Kyriacou, Kim, Green, Lee, Cassie Porter, Kirsten Rudgeley, Karis Davidson and Gabi Ruffels will be joined by another Aussie after the completion of qualifying at nearby Pyle & Kenfig.
LPGA Tour regular Hira Naveed secured her spot in the field with a 2-under round, while former Ford Women’s NSW Open winner, Momoka Kobori, increased the Kiwi contingent to three alongside Amelia Garvey and this week’s defending champion Lydia Ko.
After securing her debut major start, Kobori said of Ko: "I think what she has done and the person that she is, has been amazing for everyone at home, golfers, non-golfers, especially young kids. I grew up looking up to her ... it's very exciting to hopefully be in the same tournament as her."
All four rounds of the AIG Women's Open will be broadcast live on Fox Sports and Kayo.
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