German Esther Henseleit wins Mombasa leg of the Ladies European Tour

Source: Xinhua| 2019-12-09 23:22:17|Editor: Mu Xuequan
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NAIROBI, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Esther Henseleit from Germany hit an eight-under-par 64 at the inaugural Kenya Ladies Open in Vipingo, Mombasa and become the first winner of the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit title.

Over 108 players took part in the three-day competition, which is part of the Ladies European Tour.

The 20-year-old German, who is a first-year professional golfer from Hamburg became only the third player in the 41-year history of the Ladies European Tour to capture the Order of Merit and Rookie of the Year titles in the same season, following Dame Laura Davies in 1985 and Carlota Ciganda, in 2012.

The win helps Henseleit leapfrog Marianne Skarpnord as the European number one and become the first German player to win either the Order of Merit or Rookie of the Year titles.

"After my round, I was a bit disappointed but I just tried to do everything better. I definitely tried to win, although I knew it would be really hard. After nine holes, I saw I was two shots back and I knew it was possible," said Henseleit.

"I just tried to make a lot of birdies and I hit some great iron shots and gave myself many short birdie putts. The course was beautiful and it played a bit easier today because the greens were softer. I did the best I could," she said.

Henseleit posted eight birdies on the Baobab Course to post a winning total of 14 under par, one better than India's Aditi Ashok, who shot 65. Overnight leader Julia Engstrom ended third after a 74.

"To close the season with a win is the best feeling I could imagine. To be the Order of Merit winner and Rookie of the Year is just unbelievable," Henseleit said.

Her season included one win and eight further top-10 finishes, including four second places in the Omega Dubai Moonlight Classic, La Reserva de Sotogrande Invitational, Ladies European Thailand Championship, and Estrella Damm Mediterranean Ladies Open.

"It's been a great year on the Ladies European Tour. It's a really friendly tour and it's been great to travel the world each week with all the other golfers," she added.

The Ladies European Tour Order of Merit will be renamed the Race to Costa del Sol from next year, with a bonus prize fund of 3 million shillings (30,00,000 U.S dollars) to be split between the top three finishers.

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