Stephanie Kyriacou advances to knockout phase in Las Vegas
Stephanie Kyriacou – file image LET
Stephanie Kyriacou is the only one of six Australasians to advance to the knockout phase of the LPGA Tour’s T-Mobile Match Play Championship at Shadow Creek Golf Club in Las Vegas with Lydia Ko, Minjee Lee, Gabi Ruffels, Grace Kim and Hira Naveed unable to finish on top of their respective 16 round-robin groups which was required to move through.
Lydia Ko’s loss to Spain’s Carlotta Ciganda in today’s third round of their round-robin group put paid to any chance she had of advancing while the tie between Naved and Ruffels spelt their fate.
Minjee Lee and Grace Kim both finished third in their group stage efforts and will also have the weekend off.
For Kyriacou, however, she’s guaranteed at least a share of 9th place prizemoney although she will be hoping for even more after her round of 16 clash with A Lim Kim on Saturday morning. Kim will pose as a difficult prospect, given she won the Tournament of Champions earlier this year and won in Hawaii in 2024.
“Yeah doesn’t really matter I don’t think,” said Kyriacou when asked re her opponent tomorrow. “It’s kind of who plays better on the day, which it’s anyone’s game out here.
“I’m good mates with A Lim, so I think it’ll be a fun day. Yeah, still going to try and beat her.”
