Moment of pride as Kenya Ladies Open tees off in Vipingo

A field of 95 golfers tee off on Thursday 10 February at the 18-hole PGA Baobab Course at Vipingo Ridge for the Kenya Ladies Open, a Ladies European Tour (LET) event. 

While the Kenyan contingent is headlined by Nyaki Golf and Country Club’s Pro golfer Bhavi Shah, the home players are not favourites in the prestigious golf event. 

Five women including defending champion, Esther Henseleit, have been touted as favourites for the title.

Henseleit returns to try and retain the title that she won in dramatic style in 2019. A final day of 64 (-8) ensured Henseleit secured her maiden LET victory and she also won Rookie of the Year and Order of Merit titles to boot. 

Also on the list is Lily May, one of the LET rookies who had an excellent start to professional life last year. May made her debut at the Jabra Ladies Open finishing T23 before playing a full season on LET Access Series.

The English rising star won the Golf Flanders LETAS Trophy and then proved her consistency to be crowned Order of Merit winner and Rookie of the Year. 

After playing a full season on the Epson Tour, Lisa Petterson, headed back home to Sweden to work on her game and played at LET Q-School. 

The 26-year-old won the Pre Qualifier at La Manga Club and continued that form through to the Final Qualifier where she finished second overall. With a new season ahead, she is out to pick up where she left off. 

Another strong contender is Julia Engström. The 2018 LET Rookie of the Year is back after a long injury lay-off. Before a back injury cut her 2020 season short, Engström recorded two victories at the Women’s NSW Open and Ladies Lacoste Open de France.

Bhavi leading Kenyan field to the Ladies Open

Back in 2019, the Swede performed well at Vipingo Ridge with rounds of 67, 66, 70 and 74 to finish in third place. 

Olivia Cowan is the other strong candidate. Last season Cowan finished fifth in the 2021 Race to Costa del Sol and ended the year on a high securing status on the LPGA Tour.

The German was close to victory individually last year and recorded eight top-10 finishes, but did get into the winner’s circle as a captain to Team Cowan at the Aramco Team Series, London. She finished tied ninth the last time out in Kenya.