Australian Women’s Classic: Sarah Kemp on verge of fairytale comeback after accident

Sarah Kemp is on the verge of a fairytale comeback at the Australian Women’s Classic, less than a year after a golf cart accident left her fearing she may never play again.

Sarah Kemp is on the verge of a fairytale comeback. Picture: Tristan Jones / LET

Australian veteran Sarah Kemp is on the verge of a fairytale comeback at the Australian Women’s Classic at Coffs Harbour, less than a year after a golf cart accident left her fearing she may never play again.

Kemp shot a stunning course record 8-under 62 at Coffs Harbour Golf Club on Saturday, that was also the lowest total of her career on either the Ladies European Tour or LPGA Tour, and will take a two stroke leading into the final round of a tournament co-sanctioned by the WPGA Tour of Australasia and the LET.

The round bettered her previous low score best of 63 shot in 2009.

The sublime round put Kemp in line for the biggest win of her career just seven months after suffering a career-threatening injury.

READ MORE: Kemp’s comeback from a broken leg in freak golf cart accident

Sarah Kemp during the second round of the Australian Women’s Classic. Picture: Tristan Jones / LET

The 39-year-old suffered a compound fracture of her lower right leg in a golf cart accident in July last year.

“This has all been a laugh,” said Kemp.

“This whole day is just, I mean, I’d make birdie after birdie and just like, I can’t believe it. This is such a shock.”

Finishing 20 minutes after Kemp in the morning wave, two-time Belgian Olympian Manon De Roey shot 7-under 63 to share second at 8-under par with Welsh rookie Darcey Harry (68), one clear of 17-year-old Thai phenom Cholcheva Wongras (64) and Swede Moa Folke (69).

Kemp played 18 holes for the first time since her injury in January and has had just one competitive outing, a 54-hole NXXT Golf event in Florida last month.

Golfer Sarah Kemp puts on a brave face while in hospital.

An x-ray of the horrific leg break that landed golfer Sarah Kemp in hospital.

“Got some butterflies out there when I knew that I was doing OK in terms of the leaderboard. Having that again was really lovely,” said Kemp.

“It was nice to see all that and go through the feels again. Get the butterflies, get the nervousness, that was awesome.

“It’s proved to me that I obviously can still play, which is really nice.

“This is a proper tour event, Ladies European Tour, and in my home country in front of my home fans.

“Being able to prove myself that I’ve still got it under those conditions means the most.”

Aussie LPGA star Grace Kim endured a difficult round two, falling to a share of 15th at 2-under par after a round of 2-over 74.

Kim in hot pursuit of record-breaking European trio

A trio of Europeans set a new course record as Australian LPGA star Grace Kim made a late charge up the leaderboard on the opening round of the Australian Women’s Classic at Coffs Harbour Golf Club on Friday.

Welsh rookie Darcey Harry, Swede Moa Folke and Austrian Emma Spitz all shot 6-under par 64s while Kim and rookie playing partner Kelsey Bennett both closed out the day strongly to sit two shots back after rounds of 4-under 66.

Fellow Australians Sarah Kemp and Stephanie Bunque are two shots further back in an eight-way tie for 10th.

Kim picked up two shots over the last three holes, happy that time spent with coach Khan Pullen in Sydney last week had paid dividends after a poor start to the LPGA Tour season in Asia.

Grace Kim of Australia putts during the first round of the Australian Ladies Classic. Picture: Tristan Jones / LET

“I was pretty disappointed with how I started my season in Asia, but at the same time, I did start probably about two weeks too late,” said Kim.

“You have to make sure you balance it well and prepare mentally, that golf’s not going to be as sharp as you want it to be.

“I definitely felt more comfortable out there and it’s nice to know that the ball is going where it feels like it should be going.”

Bennett, 25, is playing her first full year on the European tour and is hoping to maximise the chance to secure a big result in her home state.

“It makes a massive difference,” Bennett said of playing LET events in Australia.

“I’ve got my family here this week and I’m staying in a place I’ve stayed at before.

“It’s really weird seeing the overseas girls in my home country. My car is in the car park and they’re all here.

“It all adds up to if you’re comfortable out there, anything’s possible.”

Originally published as Australian Women’s Classic: Sarah Kemp on verge of fairytale comeback after accident