The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship is ready for a three-pronged NSW attack, with Blues Sarah Kemp, Grace Kim, and Steph Kyriacou lining up to challenge for the third Women’s Major of the year when play begins tonight (EAST).
The trio got a final look at the famed Baltusrol layout during a practice round together overnight, with Kemp’s coach John Serhan describing the curse conditions as sensational.
“The course is simply magnificent, but with some severe weather predicted it may be a very tough week, with lots of patience needed.”
Serhan added that the final practice round was a competitive affair, with plenty of chat between the trio.
“No big egos, but plenty of playful banter and definitely some competitive enthusiasm.
“There was a birdie challenge going on and a 40-foot challenge between the girls on every hole.”
St. Michael’s Steph Kyriacou will be the first of the trio to tee off at 10.00 pm tonight (EAST). The 2020 Australian Women’s Classic Champion will be alongside 2018 ANA Inspiration Champion, Pernilla Lindberg of Sweden and three-time LPGA Tour winner Ally Ewing.
Sarah Kemp will tee off at 10.22 pm Sydney time alongside the Korean pair of Sung Hyun Park and Eun Hee Ji.
Grace Kim, already a winner on the LPGA tour in 2023, will get her championship debut underway at 2.44 am (AEST) Ruoning Yin of China and the legendary Dame Laura Davies.
Plenty of other State Alumni are competing this weekend, with Cameron Davis taking on the PGA Tour’s best at the Travelers Championship.
Four Blues are in action on the Korn Ferry Tour’s Compliance Solutions Championship; Dimi Papadatos, Brett Drewitt, and Rhein Gibson will continue their charge towards the PGA Tour for 2024, while Newcastle-born Steve Bowditch will make a rare appearance also.
The Kolon Korean Open, one of the Asian Tour’s flagship events, is underway at the Woojeong Hills Country Club, with Brendan Jones, Kevin Yuan and Won Joon Lee in action. Adding to the importance of this event are two places to compete in next month’s Open Championship at Royal Liverpool for the highest two qualifiers not already exempt.
Bexley’s Andrew Evans takes on the Japan Players Championship, while on the European Tour, Blake Windred will be looking to find some form at the BMW International Open to kick-start the remainder of his season.
Former NSW Junior Team and Concord Golf Club representative Jason Hong, fresh off a fifth-place finish last week, will look to improve further when he tees it up in the Saskatchewan Open on the Canadian Tour.
