Australian LPGA star Sarah Kemp admitted that she feared her career was over after suffering a compound fracture of her leg in a freak golf cart accident in July last year.

Seven months almost to the day that she suffered a horrific break of both the tibia and fibula in her lower right leg, Kemp is ready to launch her injury comeback at the Australian Women’s Classic at Coffs Harbour Golf Club starting Friday.

It is not Kemp’s first tournament since her injury – she shot 10-under to be tied fourth at a 54-hole NXXT Golf tournament in Florida last month – but the 39-year-old views this as the resumption of a career that has spent more than 15 years based in the US.

The impact of Cyclone Alfred and cancellation of the Australian WPGA Championship on the Gold Coast delayed her return by a week, allowing Kemp and coach John Serhan time to work on a swing still restricted by muscles in her right leg that are in the process of being restored to full strength.

Acknowledging that the extent of the injuries suffered by Tiger Woods in a car accident in 2021 were far greater than her own, Kemp conceded that the 15-time major winner came to mind as she began her rehabilitation.

“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, who will tee off alongside Claire Shin and Stephanie Bunque at 1:43pm on Friday.

“The first two months there was a lot of tears, a lot of sleepless nights.”

There were more tears 11 weeks after the accident when Kemp took her first step without the aid of crutches.

It was not only a metaphorical releasing of the shackles but the realisation that a return to professional golf might actually be possible.

“I was depressed. I thought that was it,” Kemp says matter-of-factly.

“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.

“It’s the perfect place to do it.”

Gratitude has under-pinned each step in Kemp’s recovery.

Supported by partner Lisa Cornwell – “I couldn't have done it without her” – each day Kemp would find a positive to cling to, to signify that the next day would be a little bit better.

The first step.

The first time showering without a bag on her leg.

The first time she was able to dress herself.

These were milestones that were all written down, the gratitude diary continuing as her return gathers momentum.

“It’s every day,” said Kemp.

“The last few weeks being home in Australia, being able to see my family. That means I can travel, being able to walk, just being able to play golf.

“It’s been a ride for sure. I’ve never had any kind of injury like this in my life. And dealing with the rod and some screws has been eye-opening.

“I’ve come a long way. Playing 12 holes only in December, and now I can play 18 and walk 54 holes.

“This week’s going to be such a great test for me, honestly, just to see where I compare to the other girls and how everything’s going.

“I’ve just got to work hard for it. If I’m able to walk the 18 holes, I want to test it out.

“I’ll let the expectations go up again when I feel like I’m ready. But for now, gosh, just enjoy this.

“How good’s this; get to play golf in Australia.”

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