Australian Sarah Kemp is gunning for more success on home turf after earning a share of second and a tie for 10th in the Vic Open and Australian Open respectively over the last fortnight.
The affable New South Welshwoman is back in her home State seeking a maiden Ladies European Tour title in the Pacific Bay Resort Australian Ladies Classic – Bonville, which is a co-sanctioned event with the Australian Ladies Professional Golf Tour.
Kemp has three runner-up finishes on the LET, including a share of second at last year’s Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco during a brilliant 2018 season, which saw her finish fifth on the order of merit, but two top 10 finishes in her homeland to start the 2019 season have given her a platform to build on and the 33-year-old is now looking to kick on further.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better start to the year. Playing in Australia, in front of my home crowd, to be able to play well is awesome,” she said. “After I finished tied second, it felt like I had won. I’ve just had such a nice reception from everybody and to have finished like I did, it’s like a dream, really. I feel pretty good, especially after the last two weeks.”
The Pacific Bay Resort Australian Ladies Classic – Bonville, will be Kemp’s third consecutive event in Australia and she arrives at Bonville Golf Resort in Coffs Harbour with excellent momentum.
“I’ve had the last couple of days off just to mentally recharge the batteries. I feel good and I love this golf course. This is one Australia’s nicest golf courses and my parents live two hours down the road, so it almost feels like a home game for me, which is really nice. The game feels great and I feel good, so I’m excited,” she said.
“I drove up here this morning from my parents’ house in Tuncurry, so I’ve had my down time. Now it’s back to work. I’ve still got to keep the foot on the pedal after the last couple of weeks and not let off to make sure I can ride the momentum out over the next three weeks. I haven’t won, so I’ve still got that huge goal in mind, even though I’ve had a dream start to the year. I’d love to tick off the win.
“I’ve won a couple of Pro-Ams on the ALPG, but to be able to get my first LET win here in this part of Australia especially, would be a dream. I’ve already had two dream weeks but that would be a third dream week, absolutely.”
Kemp has more confidence than ever but can expect stiff competition from the other Australians in the field, including Hannah Green, Rebecca Artis, Amy Walsh and Whitney Hillier.
Green, 22, from Perth, tied for 10th with Kemp last week to share the title of “low Aussie” in Adelaide and is also looking for her first win on the LET in Coffs Harbour.
