St Michael's product Stephanie Kyriacou admitted to a few butterflies in her tummy on the first tee in her debut appearance at the US Girls Junior overnight.
"There were some nerves on the first tee," Kyriacou said with a smile.
The 16-year-old carded a disappointing 7-over par 78 at the Boone Valley Golf Club course in Augusta, Missouri, but remains in the mix to make the top-64 cut-off for the matchplay rounds.
She didn't get her day off to the best of starts, beginning with a pair of bogeys, but managed to stay in the tournament despite a misbehaving putter.
"Nothing dropped all day; I had so many lip-outs," Kyriacou said. "I headed straight to the practice green after I finished."
Although frustrated by her putting, there were a couple of highlights.
"On the 18th, you have to hit over an enormous amount of water and the pin was at the front, I had a hybrid, I put it to about 12feet."
She also picked up a birdie on the sixth hole, a tough par-five.
"I was so happy to make birdie," she exclaimed.
As for her approach in the second round, Kyriacou's plan is straightforward, beginning with a lovely dinner tonight with mum, Angele, a good night's sleep and focus on tomorrow.
"I just have to stay focused and follow my process and the putts will come," Kyriacou said.