Fanali second, Shannon Tan wins in Kenya

In the first event of the 2024 Ladies European Tour (LET), Alessandra Fanali came close to victory in the Magical Kenya Open, finishing in second place with a score of 284 (70 73 67 74, -8) strokes. The 24-year-old from Fiuggi, playing at the Vipingo Ridge course (par 73) in Kilifi County, surrendered the lead on the fourth and final round to Shannon Tan, a 19-year-old from Singapore, with whom she had tied at the top on the “moving day.” Tan clinched the victory with a total score of 280 (73 70 67 70, -12). Nonetheless, it was an excellent performance for Fanali, who had previously finished second as an amateur in the 2022 Ladies Italian Open in Piemonte at the Margara Golf & Country Club (following a three-way playoff won by the Swiss player Morgane Metraux). Fanali, who holds a degree from Arizona State University in the USA, made her mark on the LET in 2023 with five top 10 finishes and a team victory in the Aramco Team Series Riyadh. Now, she showcased her talent in Kenya during her debut in 2024, recording three birdies and four bogeys in the final 18 holes. However, it was Tan who emerged victorious, tallying five birdies and two bogeys.

Tan wins in Kenya

Tan, a former amateur, claimed victory at the Singapore Ladies Masters on the China LPGA Tour in July 2023. Then, last December, she secured her spot on the Ladies European Tour by finishing eighth in the Qualifying School, becoming the first Singaporean to achieve this milestone. Her immediate success on the professional circuit earned her €45,000 from a total prize pool of €300,000.

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