Rokoine topples Indiza as JTL Masters enters final round on Friday

By James Waindi

Nicholas Rokoine returned to the top of the leader board as the second edition of the JTL Golf Masters enters its final round on Friday at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club, after posting a third round score of level par 71 for a total of six under par 207.

Round two leader Dismas Indiza had a horrible day that saw him lose four balls to finish the round on 10 over par 81, which effectively hindered his chances of clinching the title as he now has a total of three over par 216, nine shots shy of the leader.

"Today was just not my day, I lost balls on holes four and five. On hole seven, my ball stuck on top of the tree and I could not get it, then I lost another ball on hole 15. I also dropped shots on holes nine and 16. It is a bad day in office and I don’t think I can recover in the final round," said Indiza.

Rokoine, who is playing at his home course, started with a birdie of the par five hole four, but dropped a shot on the par four ninth hole for a first nine score of 36. In the second nine, he dropped a shot on the par three 16, before picking a shot on the par five 18th for a second nine score of 35. He enters Friday’s round as the favourite, carrying a two shot advantage.

Started poorly

Windsor’s Riz Charania scored the best scores of day, four under par 67 to leap into the second overall position ahead of Friday’s final with a total score of four under par 209.

He started poorly with a bogey on the par three hole two, but recovered with a birdie on the par five hole four, dropped a shot on the par four hole six, before sinking back to back birdies on holes seven and eight for a first nine score of 36.

In the second nine he sunk four birdies for a score of 31.

Slowly recovering

Nyanza’s David Odhaimbo maintained the third spot on level par 213 after playing a round of five over par 76 on Thursday, while fourth position is occupied by Stephan Andersen, Nyali’s Kopan Timbe and reigning champion Greg Snow who is slowly recovering after a poor start on Tuesday.

Snow sunk four birdies and dropped two shots to end the third round on two under par 69 for a total of one over par 214.

The winner today will walk home with Sh300,000, while the runner-up is expected to pocket Sh200,000 and the third player will earn Sh150,000. However, all the top 12 players will be feted with cash awards.

Meanwhile, a large field of at least 120 players has been attracted for this year’s Skynet Worldwide Express Golf Day at the Muthaiga Golf Club, which will be the last tournament at the venue before the Kenya Open Golf Championships.