Magical Kenya Ladies Open: Sweden's Engstrom maintains lead into final round

Sweden's Lady Professional Golfer Julia Engstrom makes a swing at Vipingo Baobab Ridge Course on Saturday,07th December,2019 in the third round of the Magical Kenya Ladies Open golf Championships for the European Ladies Open (LET).[Maarufu Mohamed.Standard]

Young Swede is seven strokes ahead of her closest challengers.

Sweden's Julia Engström is on track to secure her maiden Ladies European Tour title after taking her total to a minus 13 for 203 gross in the third round of the Magical Kenya Ladies Open yesterday.

The championships that is presented by Safaricom’s M-Pesa at the par 72 Vipingo Baobab Ridge Resort Course in Kilifi County ends today.

The 18-year-old is seven strokes ahead of her closest challengers after sinking birdies on six holes and rolling nine level pars.

The day one and two leader’s disappointment was a double bogey after her shot landed on a water hazard at the par three-eighth hole and a back to back bogey shots in the last final holes.

“Golf is unpredictable; it was disappointing going to the water hazard. The course is nice but challenging and I hope to be careful today," Engström said.

Austria’s Christine Wolf, India’s Aditi Ashok, France’s Astrid Vayson De Pradenne and Germany’s Esther Henseleit all returned with minus six after bringing a total 210 gross teach to tie for the second spot.

Others among the top ten were Sanna Nuutinen of Finland-211gross, Kylie Henry of Scotland at 214gross, Kelsey Macdonald also of Scotland-214, and Welsh Lydia Hall on 215gross.

The tournament is a fully sanctioned Ladies European Tour event and the last event on the 2019 Ladies European Tour calendar and where the very best of the season will be crowned.

It kicked off from Thursday in a 72 holes’ stroke play championship with 108 lady professionals from 28 Countries   across the world who are battling for a share of  Sh33 million with the winner taking home  Sh5 million.

Tiger Woods’ niece, Cheyenne Woods, arguably the most popular name among Kenyan fans who are following the tournament said she was enjoying her stay at Vipingo and looks forward to seeing more of the country’s attractions in the days to come despite a disappointing show in the tournament

“It is really nice to meet some of the local people and just see a bit more of Kenya outside of the golf course,” she said.

Cheyenne, who is visiting Kenya for the first time said she was looking forward to going on her first safari in the tomorrow at Amboseli National Park.

Meanwhile, local knowledge paid dividends for 2015 champion Matt Jones who held a three shot buffer from American Cameron Tringale after the third round of the Australian Open yesterday, adds AFP reports.

Playing in far less smoke haze from bushfires surrounding Sydney than in the opening two days — where players complained of stinging eyes — overnight leader Jones held his nerve to hit a 68 to be 13-under for the tournament.

It left the Australian, who has won twice on the PGA Tour, but not since 2015, three clear of Tringale, who birdied the last for a 69 to ensure outright second place.

English world number 14 Paul Casey is lurking off the pace.