Watching Grace Kim become a major champion has lit a fire in fellow Aussie Steph Kyriacou at British Open

Aussie golfer Steph Kyriacou believes her links background gives her the perfect chance to emulate Grace Kim’s recent major success at this week’s British Open.

Grace Kim’s breakthrough major win at the Evian Championship has moved fellow Aussie Steph Kyriacou to declare she needs to “get a wriggle on” to join her mate on the list.

The women’s British Open at Royal Porthcrawl in Wales provides the perfect opportunity for the 24-year-old Sydneysider, who grew up playing links-style golf at “St Micks” on the coast at Little Bay and expects to thrive in similar conditions this week.

“I love links golf,” Kyriacou, the world No.42, said.

“I love playing in the wind. I grew up at St Mick’s (St Michael’s Golf Club), which is on the water. I’ve grown up trying to be creative, so I feel like that’s when I play my best golf.

“It’s proper links. It’s going to be fun. A couple blind tee shots, lots of slopes in the greens. It’s windy, right on the beach, so it’s going to be a proper links week.”

Stephanie Kyriacou loves links golf. Picture: Paul Devlin/Getty Images

Kyriacou is one of nine Australians in the field after Hira Naveed came through late qualifying.

The camaraderie between the Australians on tour was on show when Kim won the Evian Championship in France to become a major champion.

Kyriacou’s greenside video of her mate’s miracle chip-in after putting her second shot on the opening playoff hole “in the p*ss” and the cheers of the likes of Hannah Green and Minjee Lee went viral.

But for Kyriacou, who was runner-up at the Evian the previous year and is yet to notch an LPGA win, Kim’s brilliant win was also a reminder of what’s possible for herself.

“It’s kind of pretty competitive against all of us, I would say. Gracie’s got one up on me or two off on me, so I need to get a little wriggle along, don’t I?” she said.

“I feel good. We had a little team chat the other day, so have some things that I want to put in this week and just more about how I’m going to play golf.

“Not so much about performance stuff, but hopefully that helps me a bit. I think it will, but I’m looking forward to it.”

Minjee Lee and Hannah Green spray Grace Kim after her Evian Championship win. Picture: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

Kyriacou used her practice rounds at Porthcrawl to play practice shots from everywhere, including the “hay” that lines a lot of fairways and can provide a bit of trouble.

“Ideally, I don’t miss one, but it’s a bit inconsistent in the rough. Some parts are OK and then other parts are no bueno (not good),” she said.

“Just trying to get into the thick stuff, get used to what the worst could be.”

Kyriacou will be joined at the Open by fellow Australians Kim, Naveed, Green, Lee, Cassie Porter, Kirsten Rudgeley, Karis Davidson and Gabi Ruffels.

Originally published as Watching Grace Kim become a major champion has lit a fire in fellow Aussie Steph Kyriacou at British Open