Kim Kaufman set to play first tournament since breast cancer diagnosis

Kim Kaufman will play in her first competitive tournament since being diagnosed with breast cancer last October. It’s great news for the 33-year-old South Dakota native who returns with a new purpose.

Kaufman played on the LPGA for seven years and the last five on the Epson Tour. She will play in this week’s Green County Behavioral Health Services Real Okie Championship in Muskogee, Okla., a full-field 72-hole event on the Annika Women’s All Pro Tour (WAPT).

“I am so excited to play in Oklahoma [this] week,” Kaufman said in a message to Golf Digest. “It feels like it’s been an eternity since I have competed and no matter how I play, I know I’m just going to be thankful that I have the ability to be out there playing again.”

Last week, Kaufman was on site at the Epson Tour event in Milford, Conn., to team up with Hartford HealthCare for free health screenings. They offered anything from heart checks to breast exams.

Kaufman shared a post about the experience on social media. She’s been so open about her cancer journey since the fall, from chemotherapy to radiation to cold capping, a technique used to help reduce hair loss during treatments. Kaufman had a lumpectomy in November and started chemotherapy at the beginning of this year. She then did seven weeks of radiation that ended in June.

“I’ve never been to an event I wasn’t playing in, but this was worth it in so many ways,” Kaufman wrote. “This week’s event highlighted breast cancer and the importance of routine exams by offering breast exams to all players fans, etc.! What an amazing partner!! Thank you so much to both HHC and the Epson Tour for having me up to be a part of this week.”

Kaufman’s travel schedule is heating up again quickly. She lives in Ft. Worth, Texas and drove with U.S. Solheim Cup captain Angela Stanford, her good friend, north to Frisco for the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. It was her first time getting to see so many old friends and meet new ones, too.

She remarked in a story with the Epson Tour that it was strange just bringing a carryon bag on a trip—no clubs—and being on the sidelines for competitive golf. But that changes this week.

Now every stage Kaufman plays on will be a test of her game and also an opportunity to continue to spread awareness.