Reminder of home boosts Aussie's bid for first LPGA win
The hunt for a first LPGA Tour win is on in earnest for Steph Kyriacou, who is one shot off the lead after the second round of the Americas Open in New Jersey.
In a mixed front nine at Liberty National Golf Club on Friday (Saturday AEST), world No.43 Kyriacou had bogeys on holes two, seven and nine, birdies on three and four and an eagle on the par-5 sixth.
The 24-year-old Sydneysider finished strongly in testing conditions with two more birdies on 17 and 18 to card a three-under-par 69 to sit joint-fourth at seven under, and the leading Australian.
"It was a little bit easier than I thought but not easy," Kyriacou, runner-up at last year's Evian Championship, said.
"I thought we were going to play through rain all day. I mean, I only had it for probably half the round in total, so wasn't as bad, but, yeah, it's not ideal.
"I guess back at home ... our winters aren't that nice, so where I play as well is right on the coast so definitely rainy and windy.
"I think that's also why I like playing in Europe, Scotland and stuff, because it kind of reminds me of home."
Compatriots Hira Naveed, Minjee Lee, Gabriela Ruffels, Hannah Green and Grace Kim all remain in the mix going into the weekend.
Naveed (69) is one shot adrift of Kyriacou, with Lee (71) another stroke back.
Ruffels (73), Green (72) and Kim (72) all sit at three under, while Karis Davidson (71) finished one under and one shot above the cut.
But not involved in Saturday and Sunday action are compatriots Sarah Kemp (74) at seven over and Cassie Porter (80) at eight over.
Those remaining in the event are chasing a leading trio including American duo Nelly Korda (68) and Andrea Lee (68) and Somi Lee.
South Korea's Lee had the equal-low round of the day, along with compatriot Jin Hee Im and Japan's Chisato Iwai, a five-under 67.
Korda, the defending champion and world No.1 who has yet to win this year, started her day on the back nine and erased two birdies on par-3 holes with back-to-back bogeys at the 17th and 18th.
After a birdie at the first, Korda made three more over her last five to make a late move up the leaderboard.
"After making two bogeys in a row you (need) to reset and just know that you have nine more holes to go and there is some opportunities out there even with the tricky conditions," Korda said.
"So just had a little bit of a mental reset and it worked."
First-round leader, and world No.2, Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand is in a group of six with Kyriacou at seven under after a 73.
Brooke Henderson (71), a two-time major champion and a former top-10 player, missed the cut, as did 2023 champion Rose Zhang (75).
With Reuters.
The hunt for a first LPGA Tour win is on in earnest for Steph Kyriacou, who is one shot off the lead after the second round of the Americas Open in New Jersey.
In a mixed front nine at Liberty National Golf Club on Friday (Saturday AEST), world No.43 Kyriacou had bogeys on holes two, seven and nine, birdies on three and four and an eagle on the par-5 sixth.
The 24-year-old Sydneysider finished strongly in testing conditions with two more birdies on 17 and 18 to card a three-under-par 69 to sit joint-fourth at seven under, and the leading Australian.
"It was a little bit easier than I thought but not easy," Kyriacou, runner-up at last year's Evian Championship, said.
"I thought we were going to play through rain all day. I mean, I only had it for probably half the round in total, so wasn't as bad, but, yeah, it's not ideal.
"I guess back at home ... our winters aren't that nice, so where I play as well is right on the coast so definitely rainy and windy.
"I think that's also why I like playing in Europe, Scotland and stuff, because it kind of reminds me of home."
Compatriots Hira Naveed, Minjee Lee, Gabriela Ruffels, Hannah Green and Grace Kim all remain in the mix going into the weekend.
Naveed (69) is one shot adrift of Kyriacou, with Lee (71) another stroke back.
Ruffels (73), Green (72) and Kim (72) all sit at three under, while Karis Davidson (71) finished one under and one shot above the cut.
But not involved in Saturday and Sunday action are compatriots Sarah Kemp (74) at seven over and Cassie Porter (80) at eight over.
Those remaining in the event are chasing a leading trio including American duo Nelly Korda (68) and Andrea Lee (68) and Somi Lee.
South Korea's Lee had the equal-low round of the day, along with compatriot Jin Hee Im and Japan's Chisato Iwai, a five-under 67.
Korda, the defending champion and world No.1 who has yet to win this year, started her day on the back nine and erased two birdies on par-3 holes with back-to-back bogeys at the 17th and 18th.
After a birdie at the first, Korda made three more over her last five to make a late move up the leaderboard.
"After making two bogeys in a row you (need) to reset and just know that you have nine more holes to go and there is some opportunities out there even with the tricky conditions," Korda said.
"So just had a little bit of a mental reset and it worked."
First-round leader, and world No.2, Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand is in a group of six with Kyriacou at seven under after a 73.
Brooke Henderson (71), a two-time major champion and a former top-10 player, missed the cut, as did 2023 champion Rose Zhang (75).
With Reuters.
The hunt for a first LPGA Tour win is on in earnest for Steph Kyriacou, who is one shot off the lead after the second round of the Americas Open in New Jersey.
In a mixed front nine at Liberty National Golf Club on Friday (Saturday AEST), world No.43 Kyriacou had bogeys on holes two, seven and nine, birdies on three and four and an eagle on the par-5 sixth.
The 24-year-old Sydneysider finished strongly in testing conditions with two more birdies on 17 and 18 to card a three-under-par 69 to sit joint-fourth at seven under, and the leading Australian.
"It was a little bit easier than I thought but not easy," Kyriacou, runner-up at last year's Evian Championship, said.
"I thought we were going to play through rain all day. I mean, I only had it for probably half the round in total, so wasn't as bad, but, yeah, it's not ideal.
"I guess back at home ... our winters aren't that nice, so where I play as well is right on the coast so definitely rainy and windy.
"I think that's also why I like playing in Europe, Scotland and stuff, because it kind of reminds me of home."
Compatriots Hira Naveed, Minjee Lee, Gabriela Ruffels, Hannah Green and Grace Kim all remain in the mix going into the weekend.
Naveed (69) is one shot adrift of Kyriacou, with Lee (71) another stroke back.
Ruffels (73), Green (72) and Kim (72) all sit at three under, while Karis Davidson (71) finished one under and one shot above the cut.
But not involved in Saturday and Sunday action are compatriots Sarah Kemp (74) at seven over and Cassie Porter (80) at eight over.
Those remaining in the event are chasing a leading trio including American duo Nelly Korda (68) and Andrea Lee (68) and Somi Lee.
South Korea's Lee had the equal-low round of the day, along with compatriot Jin Hee Im and Japan's Chisato Iwai, a five-under 67.
Korda, the defending champion and world No.1 who has yet to win this year, started her day on the back nine and erased two birdies on par-3 holes with back-to-back bogeys at the 17th and 18th.
After a birdie at the first, Korda made three more over her last five to make a late move up the leaderboard.
"After making two bogeys in a row you (need) to reset and just know that you have nine more holes to go and there is some opportunities out there even with the tricky conditions," Korda said.
"So just had a little bit of a mental reset and it worked."
First-round leader, and world No.2, Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand is in a group of six with Kyriacou at seven under after a 73.
Brooke Henderson (71), a two-time major champion and a former top-10 player, missed the cut, as did 2023 champion Rose Zhang (75).
With Reuters.
The hunt for a first LPGA Tour win is on in earnest for Steph Kyriacou, who is one shot off the lead after the second round of the Americas Open in New Jersey.
In a mixed front nine at Liberty National Golf Club on Friday (Saturday AEST), world No.43 Kyriacou had bogeys on holes two, seven and nine, birdies on three and four and an eagle on the par-5 sixth.
The 24-year-old Sydneysider finished strongly in testing conditions with two more birdies on 17 and 18 to card a three-under-par 69 to sit joint-fourth at seven under, and the leading Australian.
"It was a little bit easier than I thought but not easy," Kyriacou, runner-up at last year's Evian Championship, said.
"I thought we were going to play through rain all day. I mean, I only had it for probably half the round in total, so wasn't as bad, but, yeah, it's not ideal.
"I guess back at home ... our winters aren't that nice, so where I play as well is right on the coast so definitely rainy and windy.
"I think that's also why I like playing in Europe, Scotland and stuff, because it kind of reminds me of home."
Compatriots Hira Naveed, Minjee Lee, Gabriela Ruffels, Hannah Green and Grace Kim all remain in the mix going into the weekend.
Naveed (69) is one shot adrift of Kyriacou, with Lee (71) another stroke back.
Ruffels (73), Green (72) and Kim (72) all sit at three under, while Karis Davidson (71) finished one under and one shot above the cut.
But not involved in Saturday and Sunday action are compatriots Sarah Kemp (74) at seven over and Cassie Porter (80) at eight over.
Those remaining in the event are chasing a leading trio including American duo Nelly Korda (68) and Andrea Lee (68) and Somi Lee.
South Korea's Lee had the equal-low round of the day, along with compatriot Jin Hee Im and Japan's Chisato Iwai, a five-under 67.
Korda, the defending champion and world No.1 who has yet to win this year, started her day on the back nine and erased two birdies on par-3 holes with back-to-back bogeys at the 17th and 18th.
After a birdie at the first, Korda made three more over her last five to make a late move up the leaderboard.
"After making two bogeys in a row you (need) to reset and just know that you have nine more holes to go and there is some opportunities out there even with the tricky conditions," Korda said.
"So just had a little bit of a mental reset and it worked."
First-round leader, and world No.2, Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand is in a group of six with Kyriacou at seven under after a 73.
Brooke Henderson (71), a two-time major champion and a former top-10 player, missed the cut, as did 2023 champion Rose Zhang (75).
With Reuters.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
‘No regrets': Wildcats owner at peace with Cotton call
Perth Wildcats owner Mark Arena has declared he has no regrets about the decision to part ways with five-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton but admits the club could have communicated the move better at the time. Cotton has signed a three-year deal with Adelaide after making a shock call to return to the NBL. The superstar recently revealed the Wildcats had given him a deadline to accept their contract offer shortly after the club's NBL campaign ended and he wasn't prepared to rush into signing any deal. Arena said the club did what it felt was right. 'No regrets,' he said at the launch of the club's new logo. 'We did what we thought is, and what we still believe is, right for the Wildcats. That's long term success both on and off the court. We felt we did that and totally back the decision we made collectively.' 'We had given him more than enough time. It was well over six months. A lot was reported. Was it three days? No. It was six months and three days.' Cotton's departure has robbed the Wildcats of the best player in the NBL and arguably the best player to ever play in the competition. But Arena pointed to recent championship winners Tasmania and Illawarra as examples of teams that took a vastly different approach to winning the title. 'We need to build a roster that can win a championship and that is more than one person,' he said. 'If you look at the last two seasons, they've been won by teams with great, well-rounded rosters. That's what we're looking to put together for this upcoming season. 'I'm confident we will put on the court a really, really solid roster that can challenge for a championship.' Mark Arena talking on Wednesday. Credit: Ian Munro / The West Australian The Wildcats ae still chasing a third import to work alongside Kristian Doolittle and Dylan Windler, plus an elite Australian. But Arena warned it would take more time to recruit the remaining players. The Wildcats signed both Doolittle and Windler extremely close to the start of the season and the club could follow a similar timeline this year. 'We are in a global market place for top talent on the basketball side,' Arena said. 'Europe's league are just finishing. It runs a lot longer than the NBL. Japan's just recently finished as well. We have a lot more time. 'You don't win the championship by signing people faster than others. You do it by having the best roster come round one. That's certainly our goal. 'Top Aussies, top Americans and top Europeans are in super high demand and have a multitude of options. We can't have a timeline when our next signing will be.'
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
‘No regrets': Perth Wildcats owner Mark Arena at peace with how Bryce Cotton negotiations played out
Perth Wildcats owner Mark Arena has declared he has no regrets about the decision to part ways with five-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton but admits the club could have communicated the move better at the time. Cotton has signed a three-year deal with Adelaide after making a shock call to return to the NBL. The superstar recently revealed the Wildcats had given him a deadline to accept their contract offer shortly after the club's NBL campaign ended and he wasn't prepared to rush into signing any deal. Arena said the club did what it felt was right. 'No regrets,' he said at the launch of the club's new logo. 'We did what we thought is, and what we still believe is, right for the Wildcats. That's long term success both on and off the court. WE felt we did that and totally back the decision we made collectively.' 'We had given him more than enough time. It was well over six months. A lot was reported. Was it three days? No. It was six months and three days.' Cotton's departure has robbed the Wildcats of the best player in the NBL and arguably the best player to ever play in the competition. But Arena pointed to recent championship winners Tasmania and Illawarra as examples of teams that took a vastly different approach to winning the title. 'We need to build a roster that can win a championship and that is more than one person,' he said. 'If you look at the last two seasons, they've been won by teams with great, well-rounded rosters. That's what we're looking to put together for this upcoming season. 'I'm confident we will put on the court a really, really solid roster that can challenge for a championship.' The Wildcats ae still chasing a third import to work alongside Kristian Doolittle and Dylan Windler, plus an elite Australian. But Arena warned it would take more time to recruit the remaining players. The Wildcats signed both Doolittle and Windler extremely close to the start of the season and the club could follow a similar timeline this year. 'We are in a global market place for top talent on the basketball side,' Arena said. 'Europe's league are just finishing. It runs a lot longer than the NBL. Japan's just recently finished as well. We have a lot more time. 'You don't win the championship by signing people faster than others. You do it by having the best roster come round one. That's certainly our goal. 'Top Aussies, top Americans and top Europeans are in super high demand and have a multitude of options. We can't have a timeline when our next signing will be.'
The Age
2 hours ago
- The Age
Socceroos fans furious after hitting FIFA World Cup qualifier paywall
Socceroos fans who woke at 4am on Tuesday to watch their team qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup were surprised to find themselves locked behind the Paramount+ paywall, despite other qualifying matches being broadcast on free-to-air television. 'What will be said in offices around Australia today? 'Really? [Didn't you watch it?]'. 'No, I couldn't watch it. I don't have Paramount',' said one X user, as others claimed the cost of a subscription wouldn't help build a fan base. Blayne Treadgold, secretary of the Football Supporters Association Australia, said the Socceroos and Matildas were 'for everyone' and that it was important for major games to be accessible to fans. 'The more eyes that we can get on these games, the more benefit there is for the game itself,' said Treadgold, who said access to the sport was vital for 'encouraging and inspiring that next generation to get involved in the game, whether that be in a playing capacity or a supporter capacity'. 'From a fan perspective, [free-to-air television] is hugely important, but the other side of the coin, which we understand, is [that] there's also a commercial reality for the sport itself. That funding needs to come from somewhere, like any other sport. Much of it comes from the ability to sell broadcasting rights. I guess it's about finding that balance,' he said. Wednesday morning's game was behind a paywall because of quirks in Australia's anti-siphoning laws, which govern what sporting events are free for Australian viewers. What are anti-siphoning laws?
