Kemp homes in on amazing comeback win at Coffs Harbour
Sarah Kemp is on the verge of an extraordinary comeback triumph at the Australian Women's Classic just months after she feared her career could be over, threatened by a freak injury.
Sydney's experienced LPGA stalwart could hardly believe she was leading the field by two going into the final round of the Ladies European Tour event after shooting a brilliant eight-under par 62 at at Coffs Harbour on Saturday's 'moving day'.
Back in action seven months since breaking her tibia and fibula in a freak golf cart accident, Kemp, who had needed surgery after the compound fracture, beamed: "I had absolutely no expectations here, so I'm really shocked!"
New leader on the block 🇦🇺Have a day, Sarah Kemp! 🔥 #AusWomensClassic pic.twitter.com/50Jii6q4vp
— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) March 15, 2025
The 39-year-old US-based Kemp, a 12-time tournament winner, is on 10 under after two rounds of the 54-hole event, two ahead of Belgium's Manon De Roey and Wales' Darcey Harry.
"Honestly, the goal was to just finish this week. With my leg injury, having had a compound leg fracture seven months ago, I've now got some screws in there. So there's a bit of pain, especially bending down," said Kemp.
"The goal was to just get back into tournament mode and be able to walk 18 holes."
Kemp holed long ones on the 6th, 11th, and 16th holes, and attributed her putting prowess to weeks of practice on a mat at home as she underwent her recovery after the operation.
"I'm sure it played a big help out there today, but I'm still shocked," said Kemp, who's back in Australia aiming for her first triumph in six years.
She's taken inspiration in her comeback from Tiger Woods' fightback from his car accident, even while admitting that the 15-time major winner's battle has been much tougher than hers.
"Seeing how he's gone about his recovery, which is 10 times worse, just made me think, 'Oh my God, am I going to limp for the rest of my life? Will I ever be able to play? Will I get my strength back'," said Kemp, before the tournament started.
Back from a broken leg and into the outright lead! Sarah Kemp is on a mission at home 🇦🇺#AusWomensClassic pic.twitter.com/XmwiG1sN1Y
— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) March 15, 2025
"The first two months there was a lot of tears, a lot of sleepless nights."
Struggling when she took her first steps again on crutches 11 weeks after the accident, Kemp wondered if it might prove too much to get her career back on track.
"I was depressed. I thought that was it," she said.
"I remember bawling my eyes out as soon as I could drop the crutches.
"The gratitude of going back and just being able to walk … I feel like I took that for granted for my whole life.
"I'm just honestly so happy to be playing golf, that's all. Just being able to compete again and to come back and almost treat these as a little bit of a warm-up before I go back to the LPGA."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
42 minutes ago
- Miami Herald
Going to Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final? What to know about pregame entertainment
The Stanley Cup Final series between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers has shifted to Sunrise for the next two games of the best-of-7 series on Monday and Thursday. And beyond the entertainment that should take place on the ice — the first two games have been thrillers, with Game 1 going to overtime (4-3 Edmonton win) and Game 2 going to double overtime (5-4 Florida win) — there will be plenty of excitement and entertainment at Amerant Bank Arena leading up to Game 3's 8 p.m. start time on Monday. Another one While there is no concert outside the arena like there was for Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Final last year, the Panthers announced Monday afternoon that DJ Khaled will perform in the arena both pregame and during the first intermission. It's the second consecutive year Khaled has been part of Florida's Stanley Cup Final festivities. He performed outside the arena ahead Game 2 in last season's Cup Final. It's also the second time this postseason the Panthers will have an in-arena performance midgame. Cedric Gervais performed during the first intermission of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference final against the Carolina Hurricanes. Adebayo on the drum Meanwhile, Miami Heat star center Bam Adebayo is scheduled to bang the drum pregame prior to opening faceoff. He's the latest big name from South Florida to get things started before a game this playoffs. The running list of those who have banged the drum this postseason: ▪ First round vs Tampa Bay Lightning: Inter Miami midfielder Banjamin Cremaschi (Game 3) and Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith (Game 4) ▪ Second round vs Toronto Maple Leafs: Boca Raton-based social media personalities A.J. and Big Justice, former Panthers defenseman Keith Yandle (Game 4) and former Marlins catcher Charles Johnson (Game 6) ▪ Eastern Conference final vs Carolina Hurricanes: rapper Trick Daddy (Game 3) and Dolphins defensive lineman Zach Sieler (Game 4) Rally towels take jabs at previous opponents For every home game this postseason, the Panthers have laid out rally towels for fans to wave throughout the game. Each one generally has a theme or saying that fits into messaging the Panthers have had all season. For Game 3 on Monday, the saying is 'Rats Rule,' featuring a rat with a hockey stick and helmet and a Florida crest on its chest in front of a shield. The Panthers have embraced the rat throughout basically the franchise's entire history, going back to the Year of the Rat in 1996 when they went on to reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time. It's become even more ingrained this year with Florida's aggressive style of play, led by agitators Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand. But look closer at the rat itself and you'll notice the logos of the three teams Florida has knocked out in the playoffs to reach the Cup Final for a third consecutive year. A lightning bolt on the rat's left leg. A maple leaf on the rat's right ear. A hurricane flag on the knob of the stick. They're subtle, but give a reminder of the path Florida has taken in its quest to repeat as champions. Getting to the arena For those parking at Amerant Bank Arena, the parking gates open at 5 p.m. and doors to the arena open at 6:30 p.m. Parking is $75 per car.
Fox Sports
2 hours ago
- Fox Sports
2025 USMNT Gold Cup Roster: All 26 players on the squad
The U.S. Men's National Team has officially revealed its 26-man roster for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, aiming to reclaim the regional crown with a mix of veteran leadership, European-based talent, and rising domestic stars. The roster features players from 21 different clubs across MLS, Europe, and beyond. Below is the full, alphabetized player list, including each player's position and club affiliation. 2025 USMNT Gold Cup Roster Goalkeepers Chris Brady (Chicago Fire FC) Matt Freese (New York City FC) Matt Turner (Crystal Palace FC) Defenders Alex Freeman (Orlando City SC) Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union) Mark McKenzie (Toulouse FC) Tim Ream (Charlotte FC) Chris Richards (Crystal Palace FC) Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati) John Tolkin (Holstein Kiel) Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC) Midfielders Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United FC) Tyler Adams (AFC Bournemouth) Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew) Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps FC) Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis) Luca de la Torre (San Diego FC) Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake) Jack McGlynn (Houston Dynamo) Quinn Sullivan (Philadelphia Union) Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven) Forwards Paxten Aaronson (FC Utrecht) Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC) Damion Downs (FC Köln) Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps FC) Haji Wright (Coventry City FC) Who is missing from the USMNT Gold Cup roster? FOX Sports reported on Wednesday that star attacker Christian Pulisic would skip this summer's tournament following two grueling seasons with Italian club A.C. Milan. Weston McKennie and Tim Weah are unavailable because Juventus is participating in the FIFA Club World Cup instead, as is Gio Reyna's Borussia Pulisic's absence, U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker said in a statement:"Christian and his team approached the Federation and the coaching staff about the possibility of stepping back this summer, given the amount of matches he has played in the past two years at both the club and international level with very little break. "After thoughtful discussions and careful consideration, we made the collective decision that this is the right moment for him to get the rest he needs. The objective is to ensure he's fully prepared to perform at the highest level next season." "The principal objective is the World Cup," Pochettino told reporters via Zoom shortly after Thursday's announcement. "We decided the best [thing] for him and for the national team is the decision that we make." Several other prominent names are absent; 2024 U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year Antonee "Jedi" Robinson is still dealing with the minor injuries that prevented him from participating in the Concacaf Nations League final four in March. Yunus Musah was supposed to be with their USMNT next month; Pochettino said he withdrew from consideration earlier this week for personal reasons. Joe Scally, Josh Sargent and Tanner Tessmann, who all started the Nations League semifinal loss to Panama, were also left off the squad, which will be trimmed to 26 on June 4, when the final list must be submitted to Concacaf. The Gold Cup begins on June 14, with the Americans kicking off group play against Trinidad and Tobago the following day. When does the USMNT play in the 2025 Gold Cup? The USMNT will have three group stage games. Check out how to watch below: Sunday, June 15 Thursday, June 19 USA vs. Saudi Arabia - 9:15 p.m. ET on FS1 Sunday, June 22 USA vs. Haiti - 7 p.m. ET on FOX recommended Get more from Gold Cup Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Solid three-week stretch on LPGA changes 2025 outlook for this former Stanford standout
Solid three-week stretch on LPGA changes 2025 outlook for this former Stanford standout A month ago, Aline Krauter was playing on the LET and Epson Tours, trying to make her way back to the LPGA. On Sunday at the ShopRite LPGA Classic, the former Stanford standout posted a career-best T-5 finish to vault into the top 80 on the CME Race to the Globe Points list. Now she's off to Oakmont to watch golf rather than play it. "Just to see something else, a change of scenery," said 25-year-old Krauter of heading to the men's U.S. Open to spectate, "and then go home, rest up, and get ready for the next major, which is super exciting. "My season was up in the air the last couple weeks, and I solidified everything with the last couple weeks and finishes, so I'm just super excited." Aline Krauter played into the U.S. Open Krauter's first LPGA start of 2025 was in late May at the Mexico Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba, where she finished in the top 25. The German played her way into the U.S. Women's Open, despite a slow-play penalty at sectional qualifying, and finished T-28 at Erin Hills, earning $82,017. Krauter then shot 66-69-68 at Seaview's Bay Course to finish at 10 under for the week, five strokes back of winner Jennifer Kupcho. She's now 71st on the CME points list (top 80 at season's end keep their full cards). She'll make her second major championship start of the season later this month at the KPMG Women's PGA in Texas. "I've played really solid golf over the last couple weeks, just nice to see everything come together," said Krauter. "My weekend golf has been pretty shaky, so to be under par again today is nice. Nice to see the golf game is trending in the right direction." Other players making big moves in the CME points list after ShopRite include Wei-Ling Hsu, who also took a share of fifth, Brooke Matthews (T-11) and Azahara Munoz (T-5). Runner-up Ilhee Lee, a part-time player on the LPGA, didn't have any CME points entering the week and moved to 47th.
