NAIROBI: TANZANIA’S Madina Iddi and Vicky Elias delivered impressive performances at the Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU) Open golf tournament, securing spots among the top five at Ruiru Sports Club in Nairobi over the weekend.
Madina entered the final round as the overnight leader after the second round of the three-day, 54-hole tournament, holding a one-shot lead over her nearest competitor.
She maintained a solid performance, carding 76 strokes in the final round, but despite her best efforts, she finished the tournament with a total score of 227 after first and second rounds of 75 and 76, securing second place overall in the prestigious event that brought together top East African female golfers.
Speaking to the ‘Daily News’, Madina reflected on the crucial moment that cost her title.
“I made a mistake at hole 16 during the final round. My tee shot went straight into the bunker and I ended up with three putts on that hole. That hurt my chances,” she said.
“But that’s the nature of sports—mistakes happen and they give others a chance. A poor club selection on that hole affected my score. I think luck wasn’t on my side,” she added.
Despite the setback, her performance showcased her consistency and resilience, underlining her ability to perform under pressure. Madina fell just one stroke short of the top spot, a testament to her competitive spirit.
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Another Tanzanian golfer, Vicky Elias, also put on a solid display, with a total score of 253, she secured 5th place overall, a remarkable achievement given the tough competition.
In the final standings, Kenya’s Joyce Wanjiru claimed the top spot with a score of 226 (75, 77, 74), edging out Madina by just one stroke to win the tournament.
The competition also saw strong performances from fellow Kenyans Margaret Njoki (3rd place, 235) and Ashley Awuor (4th place, 239).
Both Madina and Vicky’s performances at the KLGU Open highlight Tanzania’s growing prominence in regional golf.
The KLGU Open, an annual 54-hole event held from April 4-6, features some of the finest golfers from across the region and offers World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points.
The tournament was also part of the Kenya Golfer of the Year (GOTY) series, attracting some of the top talents in East Africa.
