LINDELL MAKES HISTORY: Finn hits first hole-in-one in 49 years of Kenya Open

Maiden hole - in - one at the Kenya open after 49 years. Finland's Oliver Lindell takes a selfie of the Sh6.9m Ford Ranger WildTrak at the 2017 Barclays Kenya Open.March 24, 2017 after holing out an eagle at the 13th hole Par-3 at Muthaiga Golf Club, PHOTO: MOSE SAMMY/STANDARD.

Kenya Open has been in existence since 1967.

Several records have been set, and broken at this prestigious event but never in its 49th year history has a hole-in-one shot been nipped. Until yesterday.

Oliver Lindell of Finland, 19, became an overnight sensation when Lady Luck smiled on him at the designated par three hole 13 at Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi.

Using his iron seven club, Lindell hit the 173-metre shot over the water hazard to miraculously slot the ball in the challenging 13th hole, a feat that even stunned him.

“I could not believe my eyes. It was like a dream. Then it dawned on me that I had done it. I felt like I was in cloud nine,” Lindell said.

In the Kenyan golfing history, former Muthaiga Club captain and chairman Kanyi Gachoka is the only player, who has hit a designated hole-in-one, but not at the Kenya Open.

Kanyi achieved the feat on September 24, 2016 at the same par three hole 13 during the Britam Golf Championship. For that feat, Gachoka received Sh1 million from the sponsors.

Lindell’s achievement earned him a Ford Ranger Wildtrak from CMC Motors, valued at Sh6.7 million.

The prize is double the Sh3.5 million prize money the tournament winner will take home tomorrow. While displaying the magic ball which he used for the shot, Lindell said he will reach a deal with CMC Motors to see how he can exchange the vehicle for cash.

“In Finland, we keep right and this vehicle might be somehow cumbersome, so I am reaching a deal with the sponsors to see if I can exchange it for cash,” Lindell said.

This is the first time the golfer hit the rare hole-in-one in a designated point in his golfing career even though he achieved a similar feat four years ago at a tournament in Spain, but not at the designated hole.

Lindell, who is visiting Kenya for the first time said he is hopeful of bagging the Kenya Open trophy after making the cut yesterday.

He finished round one on with a two over par-73 after hitting an eagle in hole 18.

Yesterday, he had an eagle in holes 10 and 13, before finishing the round two with an impressive six under par-65.

While handing over the vehicle to Lindell, CMC Motor Group’s Head of Government Relations and Public Policy, Hellen Ndeti said she was glad her company made history on their first year as sponsors of Kenya Open.

“We are proud to be part of this history. We came in with our sponsorship at the last minute, but I am glad we made the right decision,” Ndeti said.

Other than the vehicle, CMC Motors also gave Kenya Open Sh2 million.

Meanwhile, three Kenyans made the cut in round two yesterday and will not only be fighting for the top slot from today, but will also be keen on finishing within the cash prize bracket.

Dismas Anyonyi Indiza had 72, 66 for total four under par, Riz Charania 70, 70 for a total two under par, while Simon Ngige had 67, 73 for a total two under par.

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