23 May 2021 | Professional golf |
Kemp stays in Kingsmill mix
by Martin Blake
Sarah Kemp shot a third, straight round in the 60s at the LPGA's Pure Silk Championship in Virginia today but was overtaken at the top of the leaderboard. Kemp's three-under par 69 was not enough for her to retain the lead she held through two rounds, but with a round to play in Williamsburg, she is just two shots back from the joint leaders, Moriya Jutanugarn and Wei-Ling Tsu at 10 under Jutanugarn and Hsu both shot 65s today at Kingsmill Resort. The Australian is at eight under and will play in the second-last group, chasing her first win on the LPGA Tour in more than a decade of trying. A double bogey six at the par-four 11th hole today was the only glitch for Kemp, who made four birdies. "I hit it great and I don't feel like I made anything, hence why I'm here right now," she said afterward.
"But, yeah, look, it's a little bit of speed, I think. It wasn't as good today. It got there, but I prefer kind of missing on the high side, going two, three feet past, and today I kind of hit a lot on the low side and only went a foot past.
"I'm going to be here now working on that and hopefully be better tomorrow."
The 35-year-old is having one of her best years on tour, having contended and ultimately finished inside the top five at the Gainbridge tournament in February.
Asked if she would handle the situation better as a 35-year-old than she might have 10 years ago, she said: "I'm a better player, but I'm in a better mental space. My life is very different to when I was 25, and no matter what happens tomorrow, if I had 90 or I shot 65, life is great.
"You know, like it's not going to change how happy I am in life and how everything -- however -- my family is healthy. You know, life is just good. So that's what I appreciate more than tomorrow really."
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