SHOPRITE LPGA CLASSIC PRESENTED BY ACER

June 10, 2022

Stephanie Kyriacou

Seaview, A Dolce Hotel

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Stephanie Kyriacou coming off her first round at the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer. You just told me this is your first time in an interview booth. How does that feel for you?

STEPHANIE KYRIACOU: Yeah, it's always a good thing, isn't it? I've had a pretty slow start to the season, so getting an interview now is fun. I like talking, so...

Q. You like talking. That's go to know as a journalist. You just finished 6-under, your best round of the year. What was going so well for you out there today?

STEPHANIE KYRIACOU: Well, I just took three weeks off, so I think being able to just take some time off, work on some things, and then come out with a bit more confidence is definitely -- was definitely part of it.

But I don't know, I just didn't really make a mistake. When I missed green I made up and down. It was just fun to play today.

Q. Yeah. What sort of things were you working on? You just said you've been working on a couple things. What sort of things?

STEPHANIE KYRIACOU: Yeah, so I just -- I just found a new coach, so I have a coach now, so just been working on some pitching him. This course is a short course, so pitching is definitely a big part of it.

Yeah, just a little bit of everything. Just a bit of guidance, so, yeah.

Q. How did you find the course today? What were some the challenges and the easier parts?

STEPHANIE KYRIACOU: Yeah I think the greens are quite challenging. They're pretty firm and they're fast, so kind of hard to stick.

But it wasn't as windy as the practice rounds, so that was a positive. Yeah, I think the greens are the toughest part.

Q. Had an early start today. First group of the day off the tees. Not only are you leading the tournament, but you were leading all groupings today. Did you expect to have such a good start so early in the tournament?

STEPHANIE KYRIACOU: I don't know. I wasn't really thinking about it. I just kind of went along. I don't mind playing early because then you finish early. Get to have lunch early, get to watch movies early.

Playing early is good.

Q. You said you took three weeks off. Where did you spend it?

STEPHANIE KYRIACOU: Golf Australia has a house Orlando, so that's kind of the base for most Aussies when we come over here and play.

Q. And a new coach? What's his or her name and how did you find them?

STEPHANIE KYRIACOU: Grant Waite. He coaches a few of the LPGA players actually, and he was recommended to me by a couple of my friends, so went and saw him.

Q. Just looking for a change or were you looking for something...

STEPHANIE KYRIACOU: I haven't had a coach for a while now and I really like his philosophy, so I don't know.

Q. We spoke with Karrie Webb earlier in the week and she said she spoke with you on the putting green on Tuesday, maybe gave you some putting tips. Did that help today? What was that conversation like?

STEPHANIE KYRIACOU: Yeah, it really did. I mean, I kind of just asked what she did when she struggled with nerves in her prime, because you tend to get a bit nervous, like everyone does. I just asked how she coped with it and she gave me a few tips, and looks like it worked out there.

Q. Was there one thing she said that stuck out?

STEPHANIE KYRIACOU: Yeah, she kind of just said it was more with putting. She kind of just said between shots to just close your eyes and breathe and listen to birds and stuff.

Just to get your mind off it. It's so simple but it's very helpful.

Q. Who knows what'll happen the rest of day, but probably be near the top of the leaderboard. How do you think you'll feel going into tomorrow?

STEPHANIE KYRIACOU: I'll feel excited. I mean, first time in contention on the LPGA, so, I mean, definitely be nervous, but I'll be pretty excited.

Q. Do you think a shorter round might help you? I mean, this is only a 54-hole tournament. Do you think that will help you in the long run just to be done earlier?

STEPHANIE KYRIACOU: I've got no idea. Hopefully, but I've got no idea.

Q. Karrie, how cool is it to just see -- you're young; she's one of the best older Australian players. How cool it to see her out here and be competing alongside her?

STEPHANIE KYRIACOU: Yeah, she's such a legend, and for her to take the time out of her day to play practice rounds with I was and just talk to us, like it's so nice.

It's so like welcoming, so, yeah, it's great.