As a seasoned veteran, Sarah Kemp knows a thing or two about life on the LPGA Tour and the burden of expectation that comes with being the great prospect of Australian female golf.
Turning pro as a 20-year-old in 2005, Kemp had to deal with being labelled the next Karrie Webb following an impressive amateur career.
While she's yet to claim an LPGA event win despite being on tour since 2008, Kemp did enjoy a career-best season in 2021, securing a fourth-place finish at the Pure Silk Champions in May.
Now an experienced 36-year-old, Kemp is excited to see what the new stars of Australian women's golf including major winners Hannah Green and Minjee Lee as well as Steph Kyriacou can achieve.
While Green has had to withdraw from this week's Australian WPGA Championship in Brisbane, Kyriacou will be part of the field having secured her LPGA Tour card for this year in December.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed a spectacular rise over the past two years from world No.806 to 75th in the rankings, sparked by her eight-stroke victory as a teenage amateur at the 2020 Australian Ladies Classic in Bonville.
It hasn't prevented Kemp coming to the youngster's aid already this week however.
"This morning I had to spend 20 minutes downloading an app to sign some papers for her to get a visa so I guess I'm helping along the process to get her over to America," Kemp said.
"I guess being on tour now for so long if any of the girls need any help - just travel or visas or stuff like that - I'm happy to help and I'm definitely there for all the girls.
"I had a pretty good amateur career and there was some comparisons (with Webb) right as I turned pro.
"So I think I felt a little bit of pressure back then but I mean Karrie's career it's Hall of Fame ... even if you had 15 per cent of her career, you've had a great career.
"So I don't really feel any type of pressure and I don't think the girls coming up should either."
Australian Associated Press
