Foreigners dominate on Day 1

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

Englishman Max Orrin braved the chilly conditions at the par 71 Muthaiga course to share Day 1 lead with Scotland’s Ross Kellett as the 2018 Barclays Kenya Open started yesterday.

The 54-year-old two time Challenge Tour champion and Kellet rounded off the challenging 18-hole course with an impressive round of 6-under par 65 each.

In both nines, Orrin who played in the afternoon draw sank seven birdies before adding ten level pars despite a bogey shot at the par four-fifth for the lead.

30-year-old Kellet who was the morning leader completed with the same score last evening after sinking two eagle shots at the par five-fourth and the par five-tenth holes.

He then added four birdies with ten level pars to recover from two bogey shots at the par four-sixth and the par four-fourteenth holes in both nines also to put him top.

Irish golfer Michael Hoey who followed with a score of five under par 66 gross ended the day sharing the same score each with Sweden’s Simon Forsstrom and South African’s Jaco Ahlers.

Kenya’s Mohit Mediratta led the locals charge on two under 69 gross followed by South African-based Stefan Engell Andersen who had a one under par 70 gross.

Others who stayed in the mix were Windsor’s Riz Charania on a level par 71 gross while Brian Njoroge, Afred Nandwa, Simon Ngige and Erick Ooko all came with one over par 72 gross.

Golf Park’s Jacob Okello who has made the most Kenya Open appearances and the only Kenyan who has come close to winning the event after finishing in the top five in both 2006 and 2007 completed on seven over par 78 gross.

Round two of the event starts this morning where Kenya’s Mathew Omondi will pair with Netherlands Lafeber and China’s Leon Hugo .

They will tee off from the tenth tenth tee at 7am.

Another Kenyan Erick Ooko who will be pairing with Englishmen Lewis Tom and Orrin Max will also be teeing off at the same time.

Other Kenyans expected to improve their scores will be the long hitting Dismas Indiza from Mumias Club, Muthaiga’s Kopan Timbe, Sigona’s John Wangai, Vet Lab’s Brian Njoroge, Golf Park’s Matthew Omondi, Nyali’s Njuguna Ngugi among others .

In the the absence of last year’s winner Aaron Rai from England many golfers will be itching for glory.