Two-time Olympian Aditi Ashok of India took command of 2023 Magical Kenya Ladies Open on Day One at Vipingo Ridge in Kilifi with a score of six under par, 67.
The 2019 runners up hit birdies on holes 2, 5, 6, and 9 on the front nine. She added more birdies on holes 11, and 13 on the back nine, giving herself a 4-shot lead heading to the second round of the tournament on Friday.
“It was a great day,” said the three-time LET winner. “I made a lot of putts. I had a lot of birdie chances, but I converted them too, which is good.
“I missed a two-footer on one hole but apart from that, I think played well all day. I hit some really great shots, I hit a couple of hybrids inside five feet which is better than you expect. Hopefully I can carry that momentum into the morning.
Playing in the wind is generally something I’m not used to so I maybe I went with the wrong club or went at some pins that I maybe shouldn’t have. I will maybe focus on that and play conservative a few times when the shot doesn’t suit my eye.”
Tied in second position are seven players including Italy’s Virginia Elena Carta and Ana Trivino of Spain, Kylie Henry (Scotland), Isabella Deilert (Sweden), Marta Sanz Barrio (Spain), Alice Hewson (England) and April Angurasaranee (Thailand) who finished on two under par, 71 each.
However, it was a bad day in the office for defending champion Esther Henseleit of Germany who is looking for her third title here in Kenya.
The German ended the day in 41st place alongside Kenya’s Chanelle Wangari on four over par, 77. Henseleit bogeyed holes 9, 14, 15, and 17 during her quest for the title defence.
Wangari was the best placed Kenyan on the day. She cruised well in the front nine but lost shots on holes 16, 17 and 18 to go over par. Wangari had birdies on holes number 2, 7, 9, and 15, but bogeyed holes 4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 16, 17, and 18.
Despite the disappointment, Wangari is still optimistic that she will make the cut on Friday. Commenting on her round, she said; “I have been doing my practice and so I was quite confident going in to the round. The greens were faster than I thought they would be, but overall I am happy about my performance. I am hoping to play better tomorrow and make the cut after round 2.” Meanwhile, former Kenya number one Naomi Wafula finished her round on six over par, 79. She was followed by Mercy Nyanchama and Jacqueline Walter who both fired ten over par, 83 as Nancy Wairimu finished last in Kenya’s ranking order on 12 over par, 85.
The action continues today at Vipingo Ridge. Set among 2,500 acres of manicured gardens, a PGA golf course and wilder terrain, Vipingo Ridge is a secure gated community with panoramic views from the Indian Ocean in the east to the Chodari Hills in the west. This unique destination offers exceptional real estate opportunities or holiday rentals for shorter stays. And with Africa’s only PGA-accredited golf course featuring a meandering system of lakes and streams that runs throughout the championship-level 18 holes, this is the perfect setting for lovers of the game.
Spectators can purchase tickets to the four-day tournament through the online platform www.ticketsasa.com which are retailing for KES 500 per day.
The tournament is sponsored by among others, the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sports and The Arts, U.COM , EABL through its Johnnie Walker brand, Magical Kenya, Safaricom’s Mpesa, Huawei, KCB Group and Visa.
