2021 Magical Kenya Open: Today’s champion will walk away with Sh20 million prize money

Local Golfer Samuel Noroge follows his tee-shot during the Magical Kenya Open Tournament at the Karen Country Club on March 20, 2021. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Kenya’s Samuel Njoroge hit three over par 74 for total three rounds of a one over par 214 in round three at the ongoing 2021 Magical Kenya Open in Karen, Nairobi on Saturday.

The effort placed the Railway Golf Club player in 75th position ahead of the crunch final today whose winner will walk get Sh20 million prize money.

At the same time, Samooja Kalle of Finland, who topped the standings on Day Two was eclipsed at the top by Justin Harding of South Africa.

Harding fired seven under par 64 to stretch his tally to total three rounds of 16 under par 197.

Harding has opened a two shot margin between him and Johannes Veerman of USA ahead of the looming showdown this morning.

“I tried my level best to represent the country since I’m the only local player remaining in this tournament.

“As we go to the final on Sunday (today) I’ll try to spend more time with the ball in order to make the right decisions before I release my shots,” the 27-year old Njoroge said.

“The plan I have is to better my results so that I can land in a more lucrative position,” he added.

Njoroge bogeyed on par-4 hole 5 in the front nine and par-4 13th and par-4 17th at the back nine. He had level par on the rest.

Golf rule official adjust the clock during the Magical Kenya Open Tournament at the Karen Country Club on March 20, 2021. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Golf Park golfer Toni Omuli who exited the championship on a level par score said he made schoolboy errors that cost him the cut.

“The problem was in hole 8 where also my ball went out of bounds,” Omuli said.

“But I’m glad I’m swinging well now. I just need to be mentally tough ahead of the Savannah Classic."

Another Golf Park player, David Wakhu who recorded similar results said he will apply the same strategy that saw him rake in a four under par score on day two even though it was too little to late to propel him above the projected cut which was at two under par 140.

Golfers searching for a missing ball in the course during the Magical Kenya Open Tournament at the Karen Country Club on March 20, 2021. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

“Kenya Open was just a warm-up for me and my game plan is still the same for Savannah. I will be aggressive in the next tournament,” Wakhu said.

“I can assure you this plan will be a great game changer next week at the Savannah Open. The most important thing I learnt in the Kenya Open is that there’s no need to be so careful at the tee-box. It’s the only way to avoid losing more shots when you start making mistakes on the course.” 

Zimbabwean golfer Robson Chinhoi who also fell by the wayside after recording a total level par in the contest has upped his training for Savannah Classic.

“What I have learnt with this course is that you should try to keep the ball on the fairways and play more greens,” said Chinhoi, who also took part in all the nine legs of the Safari Tour series this season.