by Maximilla Wafula
Making her third appearance at the Magical Kenya Ladies Open, Kenya’s Naomi Wafula says she is wiser and better prepared for the third edition of this DP Tour leg compared to the previous times.
Ahead of this prestigious event at the PGA Baobab Golf Course at the Vipingo Ridge in Kilifi, Wafula says she has been putting an extra shift in training.
“I am looking forward to it…I am really excited. I’ve been doing a lot of practice; I have been going to the gym … five days a week. I have been with my coach who has been helping me through my daily routine. I am also grateful to Vipingo Ridge who have helped me in this journey to prepare for the Magical Kenya Ladies Open,” she said.
Wafula is one of five Kenyans who will battling 91 other competitors for top honour at the five-day event, the others including Mercy Nyanchama, Naomi Wairimu, Chanelle Wangari and Jacquelyne Walter.
She adds that she cannot wait to put into action what she has practiced in training, noting that she has noticed immense improvement in her game since last year’s edition.
“I am confident with (sic) my game at the moment. Since the last edition, it has improved very much so I believe this time I am going to perform better than last year so I am really looking forward to it,” Wafula said.
Mercy Nyanchama in past action.
On her part, Nyanchama, also making her third appearance in the tournament, hopes it will inspire more Kenyan female golfers to break into the top level of the game in the world.
“It is a significant step for Kenyan women golfers and provides a platform to showcase our talents at the highest level. I am confident the competition will inspire young female golfers to pursue their dreams,” she said.
Defending champion Esther Henseleit will be seeking a hattrick of titles when the competition proper tees off on Thursday, all through to Sunday.
The event boasts an overall prize fund of Kes 41 million (€300,000).
Spectators can purchase tickets to the four-day tournament through the online platform www.ticketsasa.com which are retailing for KES 500 per day.