Is that this Nigerian teen the following ladies's golf prodigy?

"I am actually happy with representing my nation as a result of I am making a reputation for myself and for my nation," she stated.

"Every part occurs for a motive -- regardless that you come second or third, it implies that you are getting nearer and nearer to first," she stated, noting the expertise of taking part in on a world-renowned course was a win in itself. "The truth that I may play on the identical course as Rory Mcllroy performed on and be in the identical neighborhood of all that historical past was actually crucial to me."

As she continues to make a reputation for herself and her nation, Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari is taking discover. Following the event, the president's adviser launched a press release saying Buhari, "joins all Nigerians in celebrating this nice teenager who's doing a lot for the nation."

"It was actually surprising, and I admire it," Essien instructed Muricas News in response.

Following her goals

Time and time once more, Essien has confirmed she is not afraid of a problem. Whereas she typically finds herself competing towards older gamers, she says it really "offers me much more motivation simply to do higher."

She says her positivity and drive is impressed by certainly one of her best position fashions, Tiger Woods.

"He has proven loads of resilience within the recreation," she stated, noting his efforts to push by means of a collection of accidents and profession setbacks. "He simply retains taking part in golf and he actually loves the game, regardless that he isn't successful."

Essien says the absence of a extra established golfing program has been difficult, significantly in the case of financing.

She says her household has been "instrumental" in funding her profession, but it surely's been a "battle" and believes, "if I had an enormous pot to work with, I might have executed extra competitions through the years than I did and received extra trophies."

Desirous to pursue extra alternatives, Essien, who was born within the state of New York however raised in Nigeria, moved again to the US in 2021 to enroll within the Taft College in Watertown, Connecticut.

"The competitors is excessive (within the US)," Essien stated. On a mean day, the teenager says she sometimes practices for 3 hours after class, and it may be tough to navigate the fragile dance between pursuing knowledgeable profession and being an "common" teen.

"Generally I really actually wish to go hang around my buddies and simply chill out and be a youngster principally. However there are additionally priorities. I've to do not forget that if I wish to be in a better place in golf or in class then I've to place within the time within the work," she stated.

Inspiring the following era

Along with turning into a golf professional, Essien desires to pursue a level in engineering with a specialization in synthetic intelligence.

"I hope to get a golf scholarship to a (high) college... and if it turns into potential, I hope to play within the LPGA," she stated.

With a budding profession forward, she additionally hopes to pave the way in which for different Nigerians for observe in her footsteps.

"I hope my achievements and the place I'm proper now in golf can really inspire Nigerians who wish to play golf," she stated, leaving aspiring golfers with this piece of recommendation: "work exhausting and hold a superb mentality as a result of every little thing occurs for a motive and in due time, every little thing will go your method."