Local players set to get cash rewards at Kenya Open tourney

From Left KOGL Chairman Peter Kanyago, KOGL director Kathleen Kihanya, KTB CEO Dr. Betty Radier and KTB PR Manager Wausi Walya when KTB handed over sponsorship towards the 2018 Kenya Open. [Correspondent]

The Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) has promised cash rewards to local pros who will excel by making the cut and finishing top ten at this year’s Kenya Open at the Muthaiga Golf Club from Thursday.

Speaking during a cheque handover at the Kenya Tourism Board offices yesterday, KOGL Chairman, Peter Kanyago, said the board has this year decided to take the approach with the hope of encouraging players to produce better results than they have in previous years.

“This year we have challenged the local pros taking part at the Kenya Open by offering incentives which we hope will lead to a much greater performance than we have had in previous years.

In this regard, whoever makes the cut will get Sh100,000 and whoever finishes among the top ten will walk away with Sh500,000,” he said.

The cash incentive will be over and above the money which the players will earn from the tournament’s overall prize kitty of Sh62.5 million.

The overall winner at the Kenya Open will walk away with Sh10million.

A total of 156 players will tee off on Thursday morning at the Muthaiga Golf Club, among them a contingent of 26 local players who will fight for glory.

With the significant increase in prize money, the tournament has attracted an array of top golfers from around the globe including 2009 Kenya Open winner, Gary Boyd, 2010 winner Robert Dinwiddle and 2016 champion, Sebastian Soderberg.

Another notable name is two-time Challenge Tour winner, Richard McEvoy.