Gallant Aussie Steph Kyriacou denied maiden golf major
Australian golf prodigy Steph Kyriacou has fallen excruciatingly short of winning a maiden major in a dramatic finish at the Evian Championship in France.
Kyriacou led by a shot with two holes to play only to watch on as Ayaka Furue produced an astonishing finish to bury her mental demons and claim an overdue first major title.
The Japanese winner conjured three straight birdies from 14 to 16 on Sunday before draining a brilliant eagle on the last hole to deny Kyriacou by a shot.
Furue, seemingly out of it after falling three shots behind early on the back nine, ultimately played the last five holes in five under to record a final-round six-under 65.While the 24-year-old will savour the greatest moment of her career, Kyriacou will likely have nightmares at letting a golden opportunity slip with just one blemish.
The 23-year-old led by a shot teeing off on the penultimate hole but chunked her chip shot after leaving her approach short on 17 to allow Furue to draw level with a birdie.
The inspired Japanese then denied Kyriacou the chance to force a playoff with her crazy eagle at the last.
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