Esther Henseleit, the rising star of German golf, recently made history by becoming the first woman from continental Europe to win an Olympic medal in golf. Despite rallying to finish second behind Lydia Ko and taking home the silver medal with a remarkable seven-birdie final round 66 at Le Golf National, Henseleit remained humble and focused throughout the competition. With her plus-7 handicap, Henseleit showcased her versatility as a golfer, excelling in distance, accuracy, putting, aggressiveness, and maintaining a positive attitude under pressure.
During the final round, Henseleit admitted that she never thought about winning an Olympic medal until it became a possibility, as she was initially trailing 12 players. However, she stayed aggressive, played her own game, and managed to make great pars on the back nine before finishing with birdies on the final two holes. Despite her outstanding performance and securing the silver medal, Henseleit remained grounded and admitted that the reality of her achievement had not yet sunk in.
Throughout the tournament, Henseleit showcased her talent by leading the field in birdies and ranking second in strokes gained/off the tee and strokes gained/approach. Her ability to perform under pressure was evident when she birdied the challenging par-4 17th hole and hit her longest drive of the week on the reachable par-5 18th. The routine two-putt for birdie on the final hole ensured that she became the leader in the clubhouse before Ko claimed the gold medal.
Despite the magnitude of the moment, Henseleit remained composed and calm during the closing holes, enjoying the experience and the support from the crowd. Her biggest wins prior to the Olympics include the Magical Kenya Open on the Ladies European Tour, where she emerged victorious twice and was named Rookie of the Year and winner of the Order of Merit in 2019. Henseleit’s fiancé, Reece Phillips, serves as both her caddie and coach, adding a personal touch to her success on the course.
As the more experienced medal contenders faltered, Henseleit found herself pleasantly rooting for Lydia Ko, the eventual gold medalist, whom she admired for her consistent performance. Despite the intense competition, Henseleit demonstrated sportsmanship and gratitude for her silver medal, cherishing the special moment of sharing it with her fiancé. Moving forward, Henseleit’s Olympic success serves as a testament to her talent, determination, and ability to perform under pressure on the world stage in the sport of golf.
