Singaporean golfer Shannon Tan emerged victorious as the 2024 Magical Kenya Ladies Open champion, showcasing her prowess at the PGA Baobab Vipingo Ridge golf course on Sunday.
Tan, 19, competing in her debut on the Ladies European Tour (LET), clinched the title and a prize of Ksh7.7 million (Euro 45,000).
With a final round score of 3 under par 70, Tan’s total tournament score reached an impressive 12 under par 280. Italian golfer Alessandra Fanali secured second place with a score of 8 under par 284, earning a prize of Ksh4.6 million (Euro 27,000), while Belgium’s Manon De Roey claimed third place with a score of 4 under par 288, winning Ksh2 million.
Expressing her delight after receiving the trophy from Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Tan expressed her joy at starting her professional career on a high note and pledged to return to defend her title in 2025.
“It was close until hole 16 where it was like a one-shot difference… but I stuck to my own game plan just trying to hit every fairway and every green I can. So, basically, that was my game plan throughout the whole day today,” said Tan.
Reflecting on her decision to turn professional just before the event, Tan remarked, “It was a tough decision to begin with, but I am now happy I made the decision. I would say I am proud to become the first Singaporean to win the tournament, juniors back home now know that it is possible and I guess it will kind of push them a little bit and inspire them.”
Looking ahead, Tan is gearing up for the second leg of the European tour in Saudi Arabia, aiming to maintain her momentum and perform well in upcoming events.
Cabinet Secretary for Youth, Economic Empowerment and Sports, Ababu Namwamba, urged the leadership of the Kenya Golf Union and Kenya Ladies Golf Union to ensure the tournament remains in Kenya. He pledged government support to increase the prize purse in the future, emphasizing the importance of addressing the gender pay gap in sports.
“We looking forward to raising this money from 300,000 Euros in future. The leadership of golf I urge you to make sure this event becomes a key core and a permanent feature of our sporting calendar, the government will support you fully,” said Namwamba.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi highlighted the government’s plans to promote sports in Kenya by reducing taxes on sports equipment, aiming to make sports more accessible and affordable to all participants.
