Mental meltdown holding back local golfers

Kenyan golfer David Wakhu. [Courtesy]

After successfully hosting the Kenya Open, which recently gained the European Tour status, the famous Karen Country Club also rolled out the red carpet to golfers from the local scene and around Africa during the KCB Karen Masters that ended on Sunday.

South Africa’s Toto Thimba won by playing four under on the first day, nine under on second day, six under on Saturday before rounding it off with a seven under on the last day.

A total of 33 Kenyans took part in the 2019 KCB Karen Masters, five of whom were amateurs.

Nine Kenyans made the cut after the Friday round which was set at level par. Of the nine, one was an amateur, Simon Njogu from Naivasha Golf Club. 

The best performing Kenyan was Greg Snow from Muthaiga Golf Club, who finished tied 7th at 11 under par. His first round was a very good five under par, which put him at tied second for the round. 

On the second day he played two over par, 74 strokes to finish three under par for the two rounds

On day three (Saturday) Snow played six under par, which equalled the best score of the day together with Toto Thimba 

The other Kenyans who did well were David Wakhu (six under par), Dismas Indiza (four under), John Wangai (two under), Simon Ngige (one under).

1. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERFORMANCE AT THE JUST CONCLUDED KAREN MASTERS?

David Wakhu: It was the breakthrough I have been waiting for. The last 11 years I have never made the cut, this time I made it. The jinx has finally been broken

2. SAME COURSE AS THE EUROPEAN TOUR, BUT DIFFERENT COMPETITION DID THE SUNSHINE TOUR POSE DIFFERENT CHALLENGES? IF THERE WERE, WHAT WERE THEY?

DW: The speed of the greens was much faster this time round. I needed to be extra focused with my putting.

3. BASED ON YOUR PERFORMANCE, WHAT REMAINS AS YOUR KEY CHALLENGE?

DW: My mental strength isn’t there yet. I need to work on not collapsing mentally after a bad shot or hole.

4. WHICH HOLES DO PROVIDE YOU WITH THE MOST HEADACHE AT KAREN COUNTRY CLUB?

DW: 4, 5, 6, 9 and 15.

5. YOU RECENTLY SIGNED A DEAL WITH BETLION. HOW IS IT WORKING SO FAR?

DW: I had a good KCB Masters, prior to that I played quite well in the qualifiers. My physical shape is where it was a decade ago. All these I have no one but BetLion to thank.

6. ANY IMMEDIATE IMPACT THAT REFLECTED IN THE KCB KAREN MASTERS PERFORMANCE?

DW: Coming in as a principal partner, my financial stress has been dealt with. I’m now able to focus on playing as the other logistics have been sorted out by BetLion. We can only get better

7. WHAT NEXT AFTER KAREN MASTERS?

DW: I need to work on my mental strength. I could have finished better in the tournament. I’ll be working with my sponsor in getting a mental coach to help with this. I also want to get into more tournaments with the European and Challenge Tour level of play to grow my game.