An Australian amateur won on the Ladies European Tour over the weekend by a whopping eight shots. Stephanie Kyriacou, 19, made a statement at the Geoff King Motors Australian Ladies Classic Bonville, becoming the 10th amateur to win on the LET in the tour’s 42-year history.
Kyriacou, who won the Australian Master of the Amateurs at Royal Melbourne last January, closed with a 65 to finish at 22-under 266 for the tournament. South Korea’s Ayean Cho finished second. Kyriacou carded a career-low 63 in the second round at Bonville Golf Resort.
“I’m lost for words and still on cloud nine,” said Kyriacou, who led by two going into the final round. “I think everything was going my way today.”
The Sydney resident could now turn professional and take up a winner’s category of membership on the LET and ALPG tours. Kyriacou told the tour she would discuss it with her father, Nick, who was on the bag at Bonville.
Kyriacou came into the event No. 90 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking. She advanced to the Round of 32 at last year’s U.S. Women’s Amateur.
“It’s very impressive to see such a strong performance from an amateur,” said Linnea Strom, who finished third. “After eight holes, I went into the bathroom and saw the leader board and saw that she was at 19 under. I thought it was very impressive to go out as an amateur in the final group and to start off with birdies so early in the round. It is very impressive to be able to control your nerves like that. It looks like she’s enjoying playing and having a good time.”
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