Golf: Wakhu takes early lead at KCB Masters tournament

Kenya profession David Wakhu during a practice round for the Magical Kenya Open 2019 at the Karen Golf & Country Club, March 12, 2019. [Standard]

An eagle on the par four 11th shot David Wakhu to a two-shot lead in the fourth round of the KCB Road To Karen Masters at the Par73 Nakuru Golf Club.

The Golf Park professional shot an impressive five under par 68 gross to restrict Mumias long hitter Dismas Indiza to second place.

Indiza, who is also lying second in the Road To The Masters' rankings, played a round of three under par 70 which was that bad on the opening day.

Wakhu played 1 under in the first nine and four under in the second nine.

He made two birdies in the front nine three in the back nine. He started off with a par in the first two holes, boogied the third, parted the fourth and fifth before picking up a birdie in the sixth.

The Golf Park man parted the eighth hole before sinking a birdie on hole nine.

The second nine was quite rewarding for Wakhu who started off with a par in the 10th then an eagle in the preceding hole. Two quick birdies in the 12th and 13th saw him cement his lead and clung on to it to the very end. 

“I’m looking up to playing regulation to today. The course is playing really well and in great condition with the recent rains. The greens are rolling and conditions not quite what we had anticipated after a prolonged dry season.

“Today’s (yesterday) round was great. I literally attacked in the second nine and I am hoping to improve my short game tomorrow (today),” said Wakhu who also won Safari Tour round in Nyali last year.

Joint third on two under par 71 were Muthaiga’s Nelson Mudanyi and Dennis Saikwa of Royal. G. Giddie and Royal Nairobi’s Eric Ooko are joint fifth on one under par 72.

Sigona duo of Sujan Shah and CJ Wangai are placed joint seventh on level par.

Former Kenya Amateur Golf Champion Edwin Mudanyi made his pro debut and was joint ninth.