Germany’s Esther Henseleit successfully defended her Magical Kenya Ladies Open title held at Vipingo Ridge.
After opening up with a two-over 74, the 23-year-old added rounds of 69, 70 and 70 to finish the tournament – the first of the Ladies European Tour’s 2022 season – on two-under-par, one shot ahead of Spain’s Marta Sanz Barrio.
Despite a bogey on the first, Henseleit bounced back with birdies at the 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 8th and 11th holes to put her in a commanding position heading down the stretch.
But a dropped shot on 13, and another at the par-3 17, where she found water off the tee, the German knew she had to make par on 18 to repeat her win of 2021, which she did under immense pressure.
“It was a bit of a struggle in the end, but I made it and I’m pretty proud of my last few holes. I was shaking over the putt on 17 and I was shaking down 18 and especially that putt. I have been struggling with the putter over the last 18 months or so, so it is pretty cool that I holed that one.”
Sanz Barrio recorded her best-ever finish with her second place. The Madrid native carded a final round 69, which four birdies in her last nine holes, to be one of only two players in the field to break par for 72 holes.
Sweden’s Linnea Ström, who lead for the opening three rounds, fell back into third after a final round 77 that featured seven bogeys, while German’s Sophie Hausmann was further shot back in fourth one shot further back. South Africa’s Lee-Anne Pace, Sweden’s Jenny Haglund and France’s Emma Grechi shared fifth place on five-over-par.
Of the home nations, Wales’ Becky Morgan faired best in 12th, while Rachel Goodall was the highest placed English player in 21st.