[Photo: Sarah Reed/Getty Images]

Steph Kyriacou was her usual cheery self on Tuesday afternoon having taken money from last week’s champion Hannah Green ahead of the Australian WPGA Championship at Sanctuary Cove Golf & Country Club.

Clearly happy for her close friend, and fellow LPGA Tour player, claiming the Women’s Australian Open crown in Adelaide, Kyriacou’s own game made her anything but happy at Kooyonga.

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Missing the cut by nine shots, Kyriacou’s opening round of 81 included a 9 at the second hole, with the Sydneysider delving into recent tee-shot woes as she attempts to reverse her trend of finishing low down on leaderboards on the Gold Coast.

“I’ve sent some videos to my coach, but honestly, again, it’s pretty raw stuff, but it’s more in my head,” Kyriacou said.

“I can go on the range and belt it straight down the middle. Today I hit it great, so that’s why everything right now is to see how we go on tournament days and there’s just other stuff in my head that I’m trying to overcome right now.”

Hoping that the wider fairways of the Palms course at Sanctuary Cove, and lack of thick bush lining the holes, will help her quest to regain form, Kyriacou’s quick wit was on display when reminded there is plenty of water in play.

“You just get a [penalty] drop instead of going back to the tee and teeing it up again,” she said with a laugh.

“I’m sure many athletes go through something like this. This is my first time experiencing it, so it’s quite hard to navigate, but I think I’ll be on the other side of it pretty soon.”

Kyriacou will be attempting do so while also continuing to take Green’s money when the pair play the opening two rounds together alongside Kiwi Amelia Garvey.

“I think Thursday and Friday is going to be pretty fun. I know the girls like a little side bet, so I already told them that it’s going to be like you’re playing a Saturday comp with your mates… just a couple people watching you on the sidelines.”

The 25-year-old joked that she hopes those people watching see a different Australian triumph after Green’s recent run of success including a seventh LPGA title as well as her home Open.

“I mean, hopefully not her (Green). She’s had plenty already. She can have a seat, but yeah, it’ll be good if an Aussie wins again.”