Eleanor Givens, Cara Gorlei, and Lauren Walsh emerged as early leaders at the 2024 Magical Kenya Ladies Open at Vipingo Ridge
In the opening day of the 2024 Magical Kenya Ladies Open at Vipingo Ridge, Eleanor Givens, Cara Gorlei, and Lauren Walsh emerged as early leaders, all carding impressive rounds of 69 (-4) on the challenging Baobab Course.
The opening day of the 2024 Magical Kenya Ladies Open at Vipingo Ridge
Givens, from England, set the clubhouse lead with a remarkable start, notching six birdies in her first eight holes. Despite a few setbacks, she finished strong with a round of four-under, expressing her satisfaction with the unexpected performance.
Givens, from England, set the clubhouse lead with a remarkable start, notching six birdies in her first eight holes
South Africa’s Gorlei, securing full LET status in December, showcased a bogey-free round in the afternoon wave, making key birdies to claim a share of the lead. Reflecting on her day, Gorlei emphasized patience and solid play.
Gorlei emphasized patience and solid play
Ireland’s Walsh, a LET rookie, joined the leaders with a steady performance, being bogey-free and making crucial birdies. Her accuracy off the tee and solid putting contributed to her strong start in Kenya.
In the tie for second place, Olivia Mehaffey, Alessandra Fanali, and Sofie Kibsgaard Nielsen posted three-under-par rounds. Mehaffey, from Northern Ireland, expressed satisfaction with her under-par start, highlighting the challenging conditions of the course.
Fanali, with an eagle, five birdies, and four bogeys
Fanali, with an eagle, five birdies, and four bogeys, showcased a varied scorecard, expressing pride in her performance despite the tough conditions. Kibsgaard Nielsen, the 2023 LET Access Series Order of Merit winner, demonstrated calmness in her first round of the year.
Aunchisa Utama from Thailand and India’s Diksha Dagar share seventh place at two-under-par, while seven players, including Alexandra Försterling, are tied for ninth at one-under-par.
Dorota Zalewska from Poland
As the second round approaches, the competition intensifies with a cut to the top-60 professionals and ties at the end of the day, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the Magical Kenya Ladies Open.
By Economist Lassi Pensikkala | International Business Developer | Multilingual communicator | Connecting ideas, people & opportunities across borders | Founder of AmerExperience & SegurosAmer |
Lassi Pensikkala is the creator of AmerExperience.com, founder of SegurosAmer.com, and an international business developer with over four decades of global experience. Hailing from Finland, Lassi has lived and worked across Europe and Latin America, driven by a deep curiosity for cultures, languages, and meaningful human connection.
He writes regularly, offering thought leadership on topics such as travel, golf, and international cross-cultural business. You can follow his work on Telegram, connect with him on LinkedIn, or read his articles and updates via Google News, Flipboard, and other social media platforms.
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Expertise
• International Business Development
• Creator of AmerExperience.com and SegurosAmer.com
• Strategic consulting for cross-border ventures
• Avid golfer and advocate for golf psychology
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Education
Lassi studied Foreign Trade at the Business College of Turku, Finland, and later graduated as economist MSc (Econ) from the University of Hamburg, Germany, where he also pursued studies in Psychology and Sociology.
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Language skills
Multilingual in English, German, Spanish, Swedish, and Finnish
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Life philosophy
“Live freely, seek knowledge, and be open to the richness of life’s experiences.”
Lassi’s passion for exploration started early. Growing up during the golden era of Rock’n Roll, student movements, and the first moon landing, he experienced the unique Nordic freedom of crossing borders without passports — a freedom that still inspires his global lifestyle today.
For him, true freedom means exploring new lands, embracing diverse cultures, and forming real connections with people around the world.
