Wafula inspired by Magical Kenya Ladies Open show

Playing at the highest level of Women’s Golf ever played on Kenyan soil has inspired 22-year-old Naomi Wafula to begin the journey of becoming only the third woman golf professional player in the country.

Wafula is among four Kenyan amateurs who took part at the European Ladies Tour’s Magical Kenya Open at the Vipingo Ridge and was the only local who reached the second round on Friday, along with a pro compatriot, Bhavi Shah.

The Nairobi Golf Park player only resumed competitive golfing a year ago after a four-year self-imposed sabbatical and took part in two safari tours before landing a chance to play among Europe’s finest.

“I feel so good it has been very exciting and I have learned too much especially after playing with Ursula Wikstrom of Finland, currently tied second, and ranked 306 in the world, although there was a bit of pressure to perform well but knowing what I was learning from them I just had to play my game,’ Wafula told Citizen Digital.

She says the experience has given her the urge to move to push on to the next level.

“This tour has given me so much motivation I have never felt this before watching and playing with the best in Women’s Golf, I hope to play like them as soon as by the end of 2020.

“I will play in many tournaments as possible henceforth; currently I am planning to play in the men’s safari tour from next year which will help me in my quest to become a pro.

“In Kenya we only have two ladies professionals and what we need is support because there are many girls out there who play and would love to play in this level,” she offered.

Wafula started playing golf at the age of six coached by her auntie, Kenya’s first lady pro player Rose Naliaka who owns a Golf academy in Kitale, Transnzoia County.

“The problem is that we don’t have many pro players to participate in a ladies safari tour currently we benefit from the men’s one that is giving us a chance to play with professionals,” she said

Meanwhile Sweden’s teenager Julia Engstrom continued with her impressive performance producing a six under per 66 to claim a six shot lead after day two at the tournament.

The 18-year-old started from where she left after round one claiming two quick birdies on the third and fourth holes consecutively, with a third birdie on the 11th she overcame a bogey on 13th and registered three more birdies on 14th, 15th and 18th respectively.

Scotland’s Kelsey Macdonald finished tied second with Ursula Wikstrom of Finland on five under par 68.