Eyes on the ultimate prize

By James Waindi

Long hitting Peter Njagi continued with his dominance in the opening round of this year’s KCB Pro Am Golf Tour expected to end on Saturday at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club.

Njagi, a Kiambu resident professional golfer, continued with his lead as he finished the third round at the helm on six under par 207, six shots ahead of his closest challenger Richard Ainley.

Elisha Kasuku takes a shot from a bunker during the KCB Pro Am tournament at Muthaiga Golf Club on Friday. Photo: Saidi Hamisi/Standard

Ainley, who plays in Nakuru, finished the third round in the second spot on level par 213, while Nyanza’s David Odhiambo, who had tied with Ainley in the second round, finished yesterday’s round on position three.

Njagi, who has maintained a similar score of two under par 69 in all the three rounds, yesterday posted three birdies in the first nine and dropped a shot to finish the front nine on 34. He picked a shot on the par four hole three as well as the par four hole eight and nine and dropped a shot on the par three hole five.

Relaxed game

"I played a relaxed game. I was not under any pressure and I think I can only perform better in the final round," said Njagi.

In the back nine, Njagi picked two shots on the par five hole 10 and par five hole 18 and dropped a shot on the par four hole 15 to finish the nine with 35.

Ainley posted the best score, amassing three under par 68 to cut the gap between him and the leader. He picked two birdies on the par four hole and nine and dropped a shot on the par three hole five to end the first nine on 35. In the second nine, Ainley had three birdies on the par our hole 12 and 15 and par five hole 18 but dropped a shot on the par three hole 16 to pick 33.

Odhiambo on the other hand dropped a shot on the first par four hole one, but picked himself up to hit a birdie on the par three hole two to finish the first nine on 36. In the second nine, Odhiambo picked two birdies on the par five hole 10 and par four hole 17 and had pars on the remaining holes for a score of 33.

The tournament ends on Saturday at the same venue and a lucrative prize money of Sh400,000 is at stake. At least 200 amateurs are expected to join the professionals on Saturday.