#WAAP: Kyriacou full of pride in Japan
Steph Kyriacou during a practice round at The Royal Golf Club
Honored and humble are two words to describe Steph Kyriacou's emotions this week.
After finishing the leading Australian at the recent Queen Sirikit Cup in Adelaide and a year of notable performances, World No. 188 is facing Japan for the next challenge.
As part of the six-fold Australian contingent on the second edition of the Women & # 39; s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP), Kyriacou also recognizes the weight of putting on its national colors.
"Every time I represent Australia, it is an honor," said the eighteen-year-old.
"To be able to travel and play abroad is also pretty cool.
"I'm going against the best players in the world, so it's good to see where I am.
"Playing in a team environment with the other girls is really good because golf is an individual sport, so it's good to have all the support and home energy around you."
And the recent victor of the Australian Master of Amateurs has proven himself in Japanese territory.
With her first visit to an individual T5 finish and second in the team event during the Toyota World Junior Championships, the NSW top athlete is enthusiastic about what the week means to her.
"My trip in 2017 was my first time abroad and represented Golf Australia so I was very nervous, but the experience was great."
"And the course (this week) is honestly unreal," she said today during a practice round at The Royal Golf Club.
"The greens are schmick and really finely cut – they roll very well.
"The bunkers are great too; you can squeeze the ball pretty well."
Team Australia in the Amateur Asia-Pacific Women's Championship
Teammate Doey Choi added that the greens will "make or break" the field.
"The course looks very tough and it is not easy to play," said World No. 14.
"It is in good condition but it plays long and there are a few holes that are pretty tricky.
"Most of the time my short game is pretty good and I think it will really be this week because the greens are so serious and big."
The pair will be accompanied by their Queen Sirikit Cup counterpart, Julienne Soo, as well as Becky Kay, Grace Kim and Maddison Hinson-Tolchard.
Live coverage of the Women & # 39; s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship in 2019 begins on Thursday at noon at Fox Sports Australia.
