With a historic silver medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Esther Henseleit has not only opened a new chapter in German golf, but has finally established herself as a top player. But who is the woman behind this sensational success, who is conquering the golfing world with her calm manner and Iron ambition?
The absolute highlight of Esther Henseleit's career to date came at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. There, she played her way to a silver medal in the women's singles with an impressive performance. This success was not only a milestone for her personally, but also a first for German golf: it was the first ever Olympic golf medal for Germany.
What makes her triumph even more remarkable is the course of the tournament. After the third day, Henseleit was still in a tie for twelfth place. But with a sensational final round of 66, she catapulted herself into second place on the final day. She also proved her mental strength when dealing with the scoreboards. "I saw it on the big scoreboard. Many pros say they prefer not to look at it so as not to put themselves under pressure. But I'm far too curious. And it spurred me on," she told NDR after her success. This composure and enjoyment of direct competition are typical of Henseleit.
The Olympic medal has naturally had a positive impact on her position in the golf world. Thanks to strong months following the sensational success, her position in the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings at the end of May was 19th place, her best ranking to date.
Esther Henseleit's fascination with golf began at an early age. At the age of eight, she was taken to the driving range by her mother. "I liked it straight away and I was really good at it right from the start," she told Golf Time. What particularly appeals to her about golf is the battle against yourself: "I've always been fascinated by the fact that you're playing against yourself. It doesn't really matter who your opponent or teammate is. You always have the challenge against yourself."
Her amateur career was characterized by impressive dominance. In January 2019, she finished with a handicap of +7.1 and was among the top 10 in the global amateur rankings. The transition to the professional ranks was seamless. In her rookie year on the Ladies European Tour (LET) in 2019, she celebrated a sensational breakthrough by winning the Magical Kenya Ladies Open and the Order of Merit (money ranking). Recognition followed promptly: in 2019, she was named Sportswoman of the Year in Hamburg.
Henseleit has been a permanent fixture on the prestigious LPGA Tour, the premier class of women's golf, since 2020. Her consistency is also evident in the current 2025 season, in which she has already recorded two top 3 finishes on the LPGA Tour. Her ambition is unbroken: "I want to win my first tournament on the American Tour next year," she explained at a press event to promote the Ladies German Masters 2025 last winter.
In addition to her individual successes, Henseleit is also a valued team player. Her participation in the Solheim Cup 2024 was another highlight. "It was also a childhood dream come true. It was a great honor that I was allowed to tee off for the very first time at the event. And we really put the Americans under pressure on the last day. Too bad we didn't quite make it," she recalled to NDR.
Esther Henseleit is often described as calm, positive and ambitious. Her attitude to golf is characterized by curiosity and a deep desire for perfection. "I am a perfectionist. I really enjoy working on myself. And there's always something to improve in golf," Henseleit told Golf Time. This characteristic, coupled with her ability to remain calm under pressure, has led her to the top of the world.
Her personal happiness is also an important support for her sporting success. In February 2024, she got engaged to her boyfriend Reece Phillips, who has been her swing coach for four years and her caddie for three years. This close relationship, both on and off the golf course, creates a harmonious basis that plays a key role in her success.
With her Olympic silver medal, Esther Henseleit has not only set a personal milestone, but has also given golf in Germany an enormous boost. Her calmness, her ambition and her impressive development make her a role model for young golfers. The golfing world can look forward to seeing what further successes the Hamburg native will celebrate in the coming years. Her goal of winning an LPGA tournament seems only a matter of time.
05 Jun 2025
Esther Henseleit with the silver medal from the Olympic Games in Paris. (Photo: Imago)