Coach helps Stephanie turn fortunes around

By Michael Davis

SYDNEY’S Stephanie Kyriacou admits she was overwhelmed on her first year on the LPGA Tour.

“There’s lots of outside factors that affect your golf bit by bit,” she said before hitting off in the Webex Championship at Rosebud Country Club recently.

“Then there’s all the big names and different courses and places you’ve never been to before. There were lots of new things I had to get used to. I expected there were going to be new things but I did not realise how much. 

“I definitely learnt a lot – the courses I like, the places I like going to,” she said. “When to take my breaks, all the little things. So, I am excited for this year.” 

After the first half of the 2022 year, she was faced with losing her playing card.

Two things turned the year around. She got her best friend to come over from Australia to caddie for her and she picked up a new coach, former Kiwi playing professional, Grant Waite.

“I’m very happy I kept my card. At the start of the year my goals were a little bit better than that. But half way through the year I was looking like I was going back to qualifying school.”

But from that point she jumped up about 50 spots on the money list.

“I just sorted a lot of my outside factors. I got a new coach (Waite). I did not really have a coach from September (2021) until the middle of 2022.

“And I brought by best mate out to caddie which helped a lot having someone from home who I knew so well. 

“So that fell into place and by then I knew how to travel America after getting some little tips. And everything just became a bit easier. At the start I had put a lot of pressure on myself. I wanted to come out and rip in straight away. And it all kind of backfired.”

She admits it has been a steep learning curve and says coach Waite can take most of the credit.

She met Waite mid-year at Golf Australia House in Orlando during a break from playing. GA House has been set up to give Aussies in the USA a home away from home when it all gets too much.

“I saw Grant (Waite) there and a lot of my mates spoke really highly of him. From my first lesson, I thought, ‘Yep, this guy is very, very intelligent’. He’s laid back and he’s golf smart.”

Kyriacou swears by Golf Australia House as a haven for our golfers overseas. 

“To have somewhere where you don’t have to pay for a week and don’t have to find a golf course to practise. It’s a real homely vibe, with all the Aussies around there.

“It kind of feels like a home away from home and it’s nice to have that in an off week.”

The house is also situated on a lake with magnificent views.

Kyriacou is confident she has worked out what works well for her in the United States and what doesn’t.

“It’s boring really. Just little things, like planning four or five weeks in advance with accommodation.

“I tell people America is so cool, but I also miss Australia so much.” 

She admits some aspects of American society (read gun violence) worry her.

Having her friend, Wei Liang, caddie for her has been a fantastic move. He is her age and has been a high-level amateur golfer with the pair having known each other for 10 years.

“He tells people he’s retired now but we have been friends or a long time. We’ve been best mates for 10 years. He’s coming back this year.”

Waite’s input has been remarkable. 

“I did not have a coach. And trying to prepare for a first year on the LPGA Tour without a coach was just a bit silly.

“We made some swing changes in the middle of the season, which had to be done.

“It was like I was off a 10 handicap. Nothing was consistent and I just had no guidance. Then I found Grant, thank God, and we made a plan.

“He said: ‘This just needs to get done. You might not hit it well at first but this needs to happen if you want to start playing well.’ 

“We laugh about it now when we look back on it.” 

Kyriacou had some better results in the back half of the year, but was still inconsistent. Still, she did well enough to keep her card.

She does not think she made the move to the US too early and expects far better results this year. However, she is delighted that, thanks to Waite, she did not have to head to the dreaded qualifying school for 2023.