Stephanie Kryiacou completes biggest week in her career
Stephanie Kyriacou – file photo courtesy of PGA of America
Sydney’s Stephanie Kyriacou may have been denied her first LPGA Tour and major victory when finishing runner-up behind Japan’s Ayaka Furue at this week’s Amundi Evian Championship but, that she was in contention all week and fought her way to her best LPGA Tour finish, has taken her game and profile to a new level.
The 23-year-old is in her third LPGA Tour season and until now her best result had been when 4th at last year’s DANA Open, but not only will her performance in this week’s major championship secure her best finish, the $US732,000 ($A1.08 million) takes her LPGA Tour career earnings to just under US$1.92 million and provides a level of confidence that should see her contending and winning at this level on a more regular basis.
Kyriacou was tied with the eventual winner Furue and Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit playing the final hole but Furue hit her second shot approach to 12 feet at the last and converted for eagle and although Kyriacou would roll in a six footer for birdie herself to secure outright second place, she feel just one shot short of a playoff.
“Yeah, it was a good week, said Kyriacou. “Lots of positives to take away. I played great all week.
“Sucks not to hold the trophy but If you told me I would come second at the start of the week I would’ve been happy.
“Yeah, lots of confidence. Obviously a lot of stuff worked well for me this week, so just trying to keep the same mindset going forward and hopefully I can win.”
Furue wins her first major and her second LPGA Tour title having won last year’s Women’s Scottish Open.
Lydia Ko was the next best of the Australasians when she finished 39th while Hannah Green was 44th.
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