If Steph Kyriacou looked like she was playing in her own backyard while carving out a fine four-under-par first round at the Australian Open, it's because she virtually was.
A local member at The Lakes, Kyriacou used her intimate course knowledge astutely to sit just two shots off the lead in outright third spot on Thursday.
"I used to go to The Lakes before school for about an hour and then back there after," the 23-year-old told AAP.
The highlight of Kyriacou's day was an eagle three at the par-5 third hole to go with three birdies and her only bogey on No.18.
"It was a pretty solid round," Kyriacou said after upstaging playing partner Minjee Lee by a shot featuring in the marquee group of the morning.
"I was pretty nervous on the first and it took me a few holes to settle in, but then as it kind of goes on everyone's just walking along and the nerves eased down.
"Having familiar faces here as well helped ease that a bit. All my family's here, my friends, but it's still a very scary thing, a hundred eyes on you.
"It still wasn't like normal. A bit of adrenaline too. I feel like I didn't even hit it my best, so I'm going to go work on that and then hopefully (go) a bit lower tomorrow."
And there's every chance she will.
The USPGA Tour star will play the second round, and all weekend providing she makes the halfway cut, at the neighbouring Australian Golf Club.
Kyriacou went to school at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College in Kensington right next door, so it's little wonder she feels right at home on that course, too.
"I have played 'The Aussie' enough times to know my way around," said the two-time LET Tour winner.
Kyriacou, who rose in the ranks from the esteemed St Michael's program in Sydney's east with the likes of Harrison Crowe and LIV Golf success story Travis Smyth, will also play with Lee on Friday.
