On fire Lejirma spearheads Kenya's dominance

Royal Nairobi Golf Club hitter John Lejirma in action on Day 1 of the Sunshine Development Tour Qualifiers at the Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort in Naivasha on Monday March 31,2025. [PHOTO/SUNSHINE TOUR]

Kenyans dominated Round 1 of the Sunshine Development Tour Qualifying School at the Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort in Naivasha on Monday.

John 'Samburu One' Lejirma of Royal Nairobi Golf Club fired three under par 68 to take command of the leaderboard heading to the dreaded Day 2 cutline on Tuesday.

Isaiah Otuke of Vet Lab Sports Club and Greg Snow of Muthaiga tied second on two under par 69 apiece as 'Kenya 1' Michael Karanga of Kiambu followed in fourth place on one under par 70.

Isaac Wayeche of Tanzania was the only foreign player in the top ten after he tied with Jeff Kubwa (Royal) and Mike Kisia (Great Rift Valley Lodge) on one over par 72.

" I had a good run on the course today and this was inspired with my lifting of the inaugural Shabana Trophy Kisii Open on Sunday," Lejirma told Standard Sports.

"It's quite an hour to get a Sunshine Development Tour invite to take part in this Q-School event which is indeed a big moment for me, the country and the entire East Africa region.

"My plan on Tuesday is to stick to the same game plan as I aim for a similar three under par on the day.

"My target is to top the championship on nine under par on Thursday, so I will strive to put across one of the fiercest battle ever witnessed from me," Lejirma added.

Sunshine Development Tour Day 1 (Monday) selected results

1.John Lejirma -3/69

2.Isaiah Otuke -2/69

2.Greg Snow -2/69

4.Michael Karanga -1/70

5.Erick Ooko par 71

5.Njoroge Kibugu par 71

5.Edwin Mudanyi par 71

8.Isaac Wayeche (Tanzania) +1/72

8.Jeff Kubwa +1/72

9.Mike Kisia +1/72