For most players taking part in Wednesday's Women's NSW Open Pro-Am at Dubbo Golf Club there was a feeling of motivation, excitement and focus.
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The Pro-Am was played on the eve of the Open and players were putting the final touches on their preparation for the $324,000 tournament.
But Steph Kyriacou was feeling a different emotion.
"I'm a bit exhausted but I'm just trying to get though this week," she said.
It might seem odd, but it's totally understandable given the past week the 19-year-old has experienced.
Kyriacou was always regarded as one of the country's top amateurs prior to the last week's Australian Ladies Classic but her performance there rocketed her into the public eye.
She produced the performance most golfers dream of, rocketing to the top of the leaderboard and going on to win by a massive eight shots after shooting a sensation -22.
The memorable moments didn't stop there as Kyriacou announced on Tuesday night she was turning professional and that, combined with last week's win, means she now has playing rights for two years on the Ladies European Tour (LET).
"It's been very, very crazy," she told the Daily Liberal after the Pro-Am.
"Obviously after I won I was on a bit of a high and then yesterday turning pro, it's been really cool and happened so quick."
Kyriacou follows the likes of Minjee Lee and Aaron Baddeley as Australians to have won a major tour tournament as an amateur.
It's made her one of the faces of the NSW Open and she has quickly become one of the favourites for the title, alongside two-time defending champion Meghan MacLaren, Atthaya Thitkul, and Esther Henseleit, who finished 2019 as the number on player on the LET.
Kyriacou will tee off alongside English star MacLaren and fellow Australian Sarah Kemp at 8.25am on Thursday morning.
"It still hasn't hit me and I still don't think I'm professional but that could be a good thing this week and I won't overthink it," she said, before speaking about her form.
"It gives me a lot of confidence but it does also put pressure on me. It's got that balance but I think I'll be fine.
"I got the mindset last week, if you're playing well there's going to be pressure. But you just don't stress about it and last week was a good week so I can take it a bit easy this week."
An easy week would be fine for the 19-year-old considering she will now be part of the LET and tournaments in South Africa and Saudi Arabia follow the NSW Open at Dubbo.
She still wants to perform well at the Dubbo club and was impressed by the course during Wednesday's round.
Kyriacou felt the course was in top condition given the dry conditions which have plagued Dubbo in recent times while also liked the pace of the greens.
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
