Inside the Ropes: Steph's Week at the US Open. Through the eyes and lens of Andrew Peters.

US • Events • Culture

"Plotting and Practicing for the Women’s US Open with Stephanie Kyriacou." 

Walking through the gates of Riviera Country Club for the first time is intimidating. My credentials were a little off which really made me feel like I didn’t quite belong there. The place is dripping in history, a George Thomas design from 1926 that's hosted U.S. Opens, PGA Championships, and approximately one hundred years of people hitting golf balls into that diabolical bunker cut right into the 10th green. It's the kind of course that makes you feel simultaneously inspired and deeply unqualified, which as it turns out is a pretty solid description of how I felt scrambling around it with a camera for the very first time at a major.

Thankfully, Steph Kyriacou made the whole thing feel a little less intimidating. She met me with a warm smile and reminded me “you know you’re allowed to be past the ropes with us, stop hiding”. The young New South Welshwoman moved around Riviera on Tuesday like she had a quiet agreement with the place. Calm, methodical, and clearly enjoying herself, even as she worked through her practice routines with real purpose. There's something genuinely refreshing about watching Steph operate. She doesn't perform intensity; she just plays, and you get the sense the golf comes easier because of it.

Adding a little extra sparkle to the day was the fact that Steph shared the practice round with none other than World No. 1, Nelly Korda. These two are genuinely mates off the course and it showed. Watching them walk the fairways together was a proper delight; laughing, chatting, and looking after each other between the serious business of plotting their way around one of golf's most storied layouts. 

"All in all, a pretty good Tuesday at the office. Even if the office does have a dress code."

There's a warmth and mutual respect between them that you can't fake, and seeing the world's best player and one of Australia's brightest talents genuinely enjoying each other's company was honestly one of the best things about the whole day. No airs, no ego, just two good people who happen to be very, very good at golf.

- Andrew Peters