PURE SILK CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY VISIT WILLIAMSBURG

May 21, 2021

Sarah Kemp

Kingsmill River Course

Quick Quotes

Q. Sarah Kemp, round of the day, 4-under 67. That includes six birdies on the scorecard. Take us through the excitement to put a round like that together first of all.

SARAH KEMP: It was great. I slept great. Had a really good warmup. I just felt really good.

And sometimes you just feel like you're going to play well, and it was one of those days. Hit some great shots. Made some putts. I didn't miss a whole lot of fairways. Probably had under 30 putts, and that leads to 4-under.

So it was very good.

Q. So this isn't out of nowhere. You been playing good for six months.

SARAH KEMP: Yeah.

Q. What was different today?

SARAH KEMP: I really turned my putting around at the end of last year. I worked really hard. I was annoyed because I had hit the ball great for a couple years and I just didn't convert the opportunities.

At the end of last year I worked really hard on my I pace and that's probably -- like today, the pace of my putts has been really good. I'm getting it three foot past, which I like. That's a good putt. Have a go.

So just putting really, because I feel like I've hit the ball the same for a couple years now.

Q. And we'll get firm and fast conditions all week. That's different than we've had throughout the year up to this point.

SARAH KEMP: Uh-huh.

Q. Is this a type of golf course that you like?

SARAH KEMP: This golf course is made for me because I feel like I'm not long and I have a lot the wedges in, so I can't imagine it being an advantage for the long hitters and I'm not a bomber.

If I just hit it down the fairway, it's firm and fast and they're rolling out and I've had a lot of wedge shots. Yeah, it's for me, and this type of golf course really suits me well.

Q. Is this what you would play in Australia?

SARAH KEMP: Similar, yeah. A little bit more links-y in Australia. Probably bunkers cut a little tighter and a bit more windy.

But similar, yeah.

Q. And you talked about your ball striking. This morning on the range was a stripe show. Is this the best you've struck it in some time?

SARAH KEMP: Yeah. Honestly, I feel like I hit it overall for a couple years pretty good. The only difference like last year versus this year is - I would hope the stats would tell you but I can tell you - it's putting. I'm just making more putts and hitting my line and speeds much better.

Q. When was the last time in your opinion a final group on Saturday?

SARAH KEMP: Oh, gosh. I don't know if it was Saturday or Sunday. I think it was Saturday. I played Toledo Marathon one year. Yeah, it was Saturday. I shot 8-under on the Friday, and it was really intimidating because it was one where you hit that iron off the tee and it's -- that tee is really tight.

I just remember - can I say shitting my pants? Probably can't, right?

Q. Yeah, you can.

SARAH KEMP: It was -- I remember it well. That's the last final group I was in which had to have been a very long time ago, so that's not a good thing. Here is another one, so that's good.

Q. What will your mindset being going into the final group tomorrow?

SARAH KEMP: You know, just want to -- I tried today, I've got a little stat thing in my yardage book, and it's kind of just the simple stuff. Hit fairways, have a one putt, get the putts past the hole.

I actually had to ask Rick my caddie then, What did I have? What did I shoot today? Which I really like, because it's getting me away from my score.

I think that will be key tomorrow. If I can just forget about my score and focus on the simple stuff, okay, obviously hitting the fairway and hit the green and make a good putt, that's all I can control.

So I can't really control who I'm playing with tomorrow or what they're doing. So just the simple stuff and focus on one shot at a time.

Q. Just looking at the front nine, you had birdies at 3, 7, and 8. Any one of those in particular help you get things started today?

SARAH KEMP: Trying to remember. Where is 3? Oh, yeah. I started on 10 though.

Q. Okay. Then we'll start on the back nine to help with your memory. Birdies on 10, 15, and 16.

SARAH KEMP: Yeah, 10, was a great drive up the middle. I had a perfect 7-iron and I hit it to about five feet and made it.

So it's always nice birdieing the first. Almost a little bit of pressure is off when you make a good start like that.

So just cruised along from there.

Q. And your second nine, any one of those, 3, 7, or 8?

SARAH KEMP: Yeah, I hit a really good 4-hybrid into 7, the reachable par-5. I only had like maybe 18 feet for eagle. I just missed it.

But that was probably one of the shots of the day. Full hybrid I hit; had a good eagle chance there.

Q. I would imagine they move up the tee at least for tomorrow on 15. Another hole that comes to mind with a moved up tee box is 18.

SARAH KEMP: Yeah.

Q. Maybe make it a little fun. If that were to happen, how much does the dynamic of scoring change coming down that final stretch?

SARAH KEMP: Yeah, I would imagine if that happens scoring might be a bit better with, yeah, couple easy birdie opportunities there.

But, yeah, I mean, I don't know how I'll play them. We'll see. Depends what the wind is doing. Not are sure how that's going to be tomorrow. If I can get there I'll definitely be going for it. I would say so.