Inside the Bag and Off the Course with Steph Kyriacou

Check out this interview with Walker ambassador Steph Kyriacou. The chat went down between LPGA events, and she talks about her favourite holes, pre-round routine, life on tour and the Walker pieces she reaches for first. From a chip-in win in the Netherlands to a Cava order on the road. This is Steph in her own words.

What's your favourite hole at St. Michael's Golf Club (Sydney), and why does it stand out to you?

I really like the 13th, it's a reachable par 5 that goes straight out to the water. It has bushes down the whole right side and hazards down the whole left side, so it requires 2 good shots to get to the green. And honestly, it just has a really good backdrop of the water.

Which course on the LPGA Tour do you look forward to playing the most each season?

I really like Shadow Creek; it's just so well-manicured and not a blade of grass out of place. It's pretty challenging and doesn't let you get away with anything. I also like the courses we get for the British Open, they change each year, but we've played some really cool ones like Royal Troon, St Andrews and Carnoustie.

What's your favourite event on the tour calendar — and what makes it special?

I really like the British Open, I think it's just a good challenge and it's never a birdie fest. We play some great courses and they're usually windy, which is what I gee up playing. You have to be more creative and I think that's when golf becomes fun.

Who's your dream playing partner for a round of golf, anywhere in the world?

I would have to say Tiger at Augusta, I mean, they're just 2 statements in golf.

What's the best shot you've ever hit under pressure?

It was a chip on the last hole when I won in the Netherlands. I needed to make par down the last and I pulled my iron shot into the trees and I had about 25m from rough and couldn't see the pin when I was addressing the ball. Hit a great shot to 2ft and made the putt.

Walk us through your pre-round routine — what does the hour before you tee off look like?

So, I'm pretty simple. I'll eat and stretch, and then I'll start my golf warm-up an hour before my tee time. I putt for 10 minutes, which includes toothbrush drills and long-distance putting. Then I do 10 minutes of chipping, which is just changing the shoes and changing the lies around, just a wide variety of shots. Then I'm on the range for 20 minutes, always do a few wedges to warm up and then the first few balls will be more technique and finding a feel and then I just go through the bag with every second club. At the end I'll putt for another 5–10 mins and this is just short putts, I'll always finish with holing three 3-footers.

What's one thing about your game right now that you're most excited to develop?

My tee shots! I've been struggling recently off the tee, so I'm excited to get that going. The rest of my game has felt good, but I've missed it off the tee in places on the course I didn't know existed. So, I'm very excited to improve on that.

Are you a watch person? If so, what's on the wrist?

Not really, I bought myself a nice one that comes out on occasions, but not an everyday watch person.

Dream sponsor — it can be anything!

Walker Golf Things! I actually haven't thought much about this, I think Rolex would be cool, mainly because they have a tent or suite at most sporting events (mostly the tennis).

Go-to travel playlist or podcast for long-haul flights between Australia and tour stops?

I'm more of a binge-watcher of TV series. I'm watching Grey's Anatomy for the third time right now. But I've gotten around the AI DJ on Spotify.

Favourite food on the road — and what's the meal you're always craving when you get home?

Cava is definitely a go-to; they make bowls and it's very quick and easy. But if someone offers me any sort of burger place, I'm probably going. When I get home, I always go to a bakery locally. I go there every day when I'm at home, and they know my order off by heart, which is saying something.

Beach day or city day off — what does a perfect rest day look like for you?

When I'm at home, beach day for sure. Don't see much of it in America or when I'm travelling, so it would 100% be at the beach at home.

How would you describe your personal style, both on and off the course?

I would say I'm a very chilled golfer, I like to just go out and have fun and play games within the game. Same off course, I'm pretty bubbly and just like to joke around.

What do you look for in golf apparel — what matters most to you when you're competing?

Comfort is the most important thing for me, but also style. I think the Walker gear is great for me. I'm short, so I've had trouble in the past with finding stuff that's good for me, but everything in Walker fits me like a glove. I also like that it's a cool, trendy style, but also looks athletic.

Is there a piece from the Walker range you reach for first when you're getting dressed for a round?

I really love the new knitted tops, they're 3/4 and they fit so well with the high-waisted skirts. They're just super comfy and breathable and they look so cute.

You started playing at four years old — what do you remember about falling in love with the game?

I fell in love with competing; it took me a while, but I just love competing both on and off the course.

Outside of golf, what's something most people would be surprised to learn about you?

Honestly, I'm not that interesting. I have a new love for padel, so I started doing more of that in the off-season.

What does success look like for you in the next few years — on and off the tour?

Success to me on the course is giving it my all. I think in golf it can be such an emotional rollercoaster, but if I know I did my best at controlling the things I can control then that to me is success, and ideally I can lift trophies along the way. Off the course would be to just do what I want to be happy. Even small things like a sunrise swim or a BBQ with my family.