Golfers to battle it out in Mombasa: Several professionals are expected at the competition

SPORTS-GOLF-ANGEL EATON;Angel Eaton makes a swing.[Maarufu Mohamed,Standard] Jacob Okello makes a swing.[Maarufu Mohamed,Standard]

Sh1 million is on offer for the winners of the four-day championship set for Diani.

An estimated 100 golf professionals from the East African region and beyond will battle it out in the four-day annual Diani Beach Masters Kenya Golf Championship in Mombasa.

Sh1 million will be up for grabs in the Prime Bank competition.

Golf Club manager John Davies yesterday said there is a good number of professionals  that kicks off on October 18 in Mombasa.

“In the registration which ends on October 16, we have so far 80 professionals, with the majority from Kenya and Tanzania,” said Davies.

He added that among the top 10 Kenyans are Mumias’s Dismas Indiza, Golf Park’s Jacob Okello, and Muthaiga’s Kopan Timbe.

Davies added that the championship, one of Kenya’s most celebrated and prestigious golf events, will also give serious elite amateur golfers an opportunity to compete for the coveted Green Jacket.

The tournament is jointly sponsored by Turkish Airlines, Elgon Kenya Limited, Toyota, Base Titanium, Crown Paints, and H Kariuki.

Amateurs are drawn from the East African region and will join the pros in a two-day 36-hole event from Friday, October 20. The event, which is also open to juniors and ladies, is expected to be led by the East African lady champion, Angel Eaton, from Tanzania.

Leisure Lodge Resident Manager Martin Mburugu said the championship that is supported by the entire Diani fraternity, aims to improve local and international tourism. 

Elsewhere, Brendan Steele fired a final-round 69 on Sunday to win the US PGA Tour Safeway Open for the second straight year.

Disastrous start

Steele, who started the day two shots off the lead of rookie Tyler Duncan, finished with a 15-under total of 273 for a two-shot triumph over Tony Finau.

Finau also closed with a 69 at Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, California.

Five-time major winner Phil Mickelson, seeking his first win since the 2013 British Open, was within one stroke of the lead late in the round but settled for a share of third place after a 70 for 276. He was tied with fellow American Chesson Hadley, who sined for a 73.

Duncan, who had led or shared the lead after each of the first three rounds, got off to a disastrous start with three bogeys to open his round.

He carded a 75 to share fifth with Canadian Graham DeLaet (72) on 277.