BY ALBATROSS

Last year’s winner Jordi Gacia Pinto follows on his shot at the Barclays Kenya Open yesterday

Spain’s Pedro Oriol started the day at six under par but with his round yielding five birdies against two bogeys, his net score of the day at three under shot him up to joint leadership on the penultimate day of the Barclays Kenya Open.

First off this morning was Italian Alessio Bruschi and the Spaniard Jesus Legarrea. They had both made the cut on the number, having played a two day cumulative total of 145, one over par.

Only two Kenyans made the cut this year — Greg Snow and Dismas Indiza.  It was a disappointing performance from a large contingent of 24 professionals, but Snow and Indiza have done Kenya proud.

Since Indiza finished at a two-day total of two under par, he was the first Kenyan off in Game 20 which teed off at 11.01am.

Dull morning

Indiza’s team brought some life to an otherwise dull morning as Kenyans came to cheer him on in sizeable numbers.  And he did not disappoint.  His opening drive rolled past the first green, ending up on the fringe at the far end.

He chipped backwards towards the pin and rolled in the putt for birdie; the third birdie of the morning on a hole that was not willing to yield birdies in a hurry.

Snow teed off in the third last game at 12.59 in the company of Lasse Jensen of Denmark, who had also closed the day at six under par; and, as expected, Kenyans were there in their droves to cheer their hero on.

There were up and downs  moments to celebrate and points when the lips drooped as the fortunes of Snow swayed back and forth. When he dropped two shots at the ninth, many souls sun.

The bogey on the 16th spoiled what would have been a great recovery nine.

Sigh of relief

But when he finished the round at seven under par, one behind the leaders, the sigh of relief was audible from many corners of the course.

He ended up tied for joint fourth position with the Dane Lasse Jensen, Oliver Bekker of South Africa, Englishman Sam Hutsby, Danie Van Tonder of South Africa and  Adrien Bernadet of France, one stroke behind the leaders.

Following European Challenge Tour Rules, Snow and Indinza play in the same team in the final round in Game 30, the fifth last game.

The tournament ends today with a huge crowd, including political and business big wigs expected at the lush Karen Country and Golf Club.