Henseleit retains Magical Kenya Ladies Open crown

Germany’s Esther Henseleit was yesterday  in cloud nine after putting in the last hole to defend her 2019 Magical Kenya Ladies European Tour Open title after a four-day battle at the Vipingo Ridge Golf Course with previous table leader Linnea Strom collapsing at the last two holes.

Twenty-three-year-oldHenseleit celebrated with a fist up and a kiss with her caddie-boyfriend and coach Reece plus a few hugs and high slaps with other caddies and players on the course. Her claw back from a couple of shots behind was nothing short of momentous.

She was feted with a 45,000 Euros (Sh5.8 million) cheque and a giraffe crafting. Henseleit finished 286 points  (74+73+69+70)after four rounds of the tournament with a par-2 end score.

The tension was palpable at the last two holes with all eyes on Henseleit and Swedish player Linnea Strom who had been separated by a par at the first round of the Ladies European Tour held at the same course.

The 17th hole was crazy especially for Henseleit who had two penalty drops after two of her balls went to the water and the bushes.

Strom on her part had two shots on bogeys which messed up her play with Spaniard Marta Sanz Barrio closing in and surpassing the Swede to the second place based on her low par.

  with a day four score of 69 and final par of -1.

An overjoyed Henseleit who is ranked 104th in the world said it was her cool demeanour that won it for her in a week that saw her trailing for three rounds straight with Wednesday seeing her on 15th and Saturday on eighth.

“Despite pressure, I always tried to keep it together. I did justice to my last few holes. I was not concentrating on the board so much and tried to focus on my game. After the 16th hole, it was all about managing my putts, especially from hole 17. I just made some basic mistakes but overall, I was confident with my play. My shots were shaky and, in the 17th, and 18th hole but I just had to tweak it. However, for the past one and half years I have struggled with my putting so I will be working on that. I am very proud of myself, and it is good to be back in Kenya. I want to thank the organisers and Government of Kenya for making the event a success,” she said after receiving her award from First Lady Margaret Kenyatta who was flanked by Sports Cabinet Secretary Amb.Amina Mohammed and Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala.

Runner-Up Sanz Barrio was also happy with her showing and promised to build on that score moving forward. “This was a great tournament for me, and I have to be proud of my achievement here in Kenya. To start with a second place in the first round is incredible and this will certainly push me to better results and even a win in the tournaments lined up.”

Two African players Lee-Anne Pace of South Africa and Nohbule Dlamini of Eswatini were in the top ten. The latter was impressed but revealed that the surface was a challenge.

“Over the week, I have had very good moments making scores and shots. I am working hard and it is nice to finish eight. The golf course is tricky because the ground is dry. The ball was bouncy and the wind made play difficult. However, I managed to keep in the game. The wind was heavy but I had to manage. Looking forward to the Sunshine Tour. The goal is to attain as many points so I am hoping for the best down there. I am anticipating playing 25 tournaments. However, I will come back to Kenya to inspire many girls because the game is still very much a minority sport.”