Thailand’s April Angurasaranee is back in a place where she made a mark in 2023 as she gets ready to tee it up at the Magical Kenya Ladies Open.
The 19-year-old was a rookie on the Ladies European Tour (LET) in 2023 and started her season well finishing in a tie for second place at Vipingo Ridge.
Angurasaranee produced rounds of 71-71-70-77 to end the week in T2 alongside England’s Alice Hewson on three-under-par.
Being back in Kenya is something the Thai player has been looking forward to and it’s a place where she feels comfortable.
“I just have a lot of good memories here,” she said. “Obviously, finishing second and just playing with many people in the first event.
“They are nice memories, everyone just made me comfortable and just made me enjoy everything. The crowd is really nice. Everyone here just makes me feel right where I think I need to be.”
As the field of 108 players take on the tricky Baobab Course at Vipingo Ridge, they will also be challenged by the hot and humid conditions.
Hailing from Thailand, Angurasaranee is used to more heat and humidity than most but even she admits it is difficult.
Though it is a course that the second-year LET player does enjoy and she believes it suits her, as well as providing amazing views of wildlife.
She explained: “I shouldn’t be the one complaining to be fair, being from Thailand, but it is very hot and humid. I’m sweating a lot. It’s tough out there. I am doing the strategy of eating pizza and ice cream this year again. I’m going back to that routine.
“Obviously, I think I like this course in general. It looks good visually and this year’s condition is better than last year’s. I think it’s going to be really fun.
“The little extra stuff like the giraffes and the zebras, it’s a nice element to have. Walking down the fairway and then just the giraffes casually walking the fairways, you don’t get it anywhere. It’s a good experience.”
Angurasaranee ended last season in fifth place in the Rookie of the Year standings and 31st in the Order of Merit.
Having been on Tour for a year, the teenager learned plenty of lessons in 2023 and believes she has improved her game but also wants to get that first win under her belt.
She added: “From last year, the things I am taking on board are just not repeating the rookie mistakes. I went through a lot last year and that gives me more experience to come into my second year on Tour. I know what to do and what to not do. Plus, the nerves, hopefully, they won’t get to me like last year. I have sharpened my skills a little bit.
“My goals for the year, I want to get my first win obviously. I want to finish top 15 in the Order of Merit this year. Last year, I missed by one from my goal, but it was it was still a nice finish.”
Angurasaranee will tee it up in the first round of the 2024 Magical Kenya Ladies Open at 1.05 pm (local time) alongside England’s Bronte Law and Indian amateur Avani Prashanth.
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