Kiondo leads

Mombasa

By James Waindi

Sigona’s John Kiondo sunk a hole in one on the par three hole two on Wednesday to share an overnight lead with Limuru’s John Kagiri.

They finished on two under par 69 after the first round of the KCB East Africa Golf Tour at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club.

Kiondo is expected to ring the bell at the club house today after the feat, according to golfing traditions and he will also be keen to maintain the form in the remaining rounds.

"I used a six iron to sink the hole-in-one and I am very happy with the achievement," said Kiondo.

Kiondo had a bright start with a par on the first hole before picking an albatross on the par three hole which is surrounded by water where he sunk the hole-in-one, but dropped a shot on the next hole, a par four hole three for a first nine score of 35.

In the second nine, Kiondo picked a birdie on the par five hole 10, but dropped a shot on the par four hole 14 and recovered with a birdie on the par five 18th to finish the second nine on 34 to share the overnight lead.

Kagiri on the other hand started on a wrong foot with a bogey on the par four hole one, but recovered with a birdie on the par four ninth hole for a first nine score of 36.

In the second nine, Kagiri picked a shot on the par five 10th, before dropping a shot on the next hole, a par three hole 11, but recovered with two birdies on the par four hole 15 and par five hole 18 for a score of 33.

Thika’s Simon Ngige and South African based pro Stephan Andersen shared the third overnight spot on level par 71 as recently crowned Kenya Airways Pro Am champion Nicholas Rokoine finished the first round tied fifth with James Lorum.

Ngige, who won the tournament’s order of merit in 2010 dropped a shot on the par three hole one, but recovered with an eagle on the par four hole three and picked a shot on the par five hole four, before dropping another shot on the par five hole seven for a first nine score of 36.

In the second nine, Ngige picked a shot on the par five hole 10 and dropped a shot on the par three hole 16 for a score of 35.

Andersen posted 37 in the first nine and 34 in the second nine.

The tournament has a prize money of Sh1 million which will be divided for the top 18 players after the four rounds on Saturday. The eventual winner will pocket Sh190, 000, with the runner-up expected to go home with Sh151, 000 and the third pro will earn Sh112, 000.

Business
Premium Ruto's food security hopes facing storm amid fake fertiliser scam
Real Estate
Premium Affordable housing: Will State's data-backed action now pay off?
Business
Premium Nairobi business community plans protest as over 700 containers held at port
Sci & Tech
UK-based fintech PayAngel eyes Kenyan market with secure diaspora remittance solutions