Kyriacou’s 63 puts LPGA Tour card within reach

December 6th, 2021 / Chris Williams

Australia’s Steph Kyriacou has continued her dream run this year carding a bogey-free 9-under 63 in the final round of the first 72 holes of the LPGA Q-School.

Ironically, the Sydney-sider sits in a share of 4th place on 13-under alongside recent Ladies European Tour OOM winner, Atthaya Thitikul. Kyriacou finished in 3rd place in the year-long Race to Costa del Sol behind Thitikul to earn her start at Q-School.

Stephanie Kyriacou Stephanie Kyriacou (Credit: LET)

French sensation and former World No.1 amateur Pauline Roussin-Bouchard (-19) leads the pack with South Koreans Hye-Jin Choi (-17) and Na Rin An (-14) holding outright second and third place respectively.

When asked where the round came from, Kyriacou was quick to respond:

“Oh, God. I have no idea. I think everything just clicked. Over the last couple days some things were working and some things weren’t, and then today they just both were in sync.”

“I think even in the practice rounds I found this course a bit easier than the other one, and then I had a good round on the other one yesterday and I just kind of thought, Oh, yeah, let’s go. Let’s go low today. And then, yeah, it was just really good day,” said Kyriacou about her round which featured seven birdies and an eagle at the par-5 16th.

Queensland’s Karis Davidson, who plies her trade on the Japan Ladies Tour, took a different route to finish her opening 72 holes in 11th place. Consistent golf lead to rounds of 68, 71, 69 and 69 leaving her well-placed for the next four rounds and a solid chance at gaining an LPGA card for 2022.

“1 week down, 1 to go! Let’s keep the smiles up in Dothan,” posted Davidson on Instagram.

Sarah Jane-Smith was the last of the Australians to make the top-70 closing in equal 24th on 6-under.

Robyn Choi missed the cut after being unable to come back from opening rounds of 77 and 74.

The LPGA Q-Series feature a gruelling eight rounds of golf separated into two 72-hole stroke-play events with all rounds counting towards the final result.

Only the top 70 players and ties following the first four rounds qualify for the 72 holes, which will be held at Highland Oaks Golf Club in Dothan, Alabama from the 9th-12th December.