Rai rules Kenya Open as Ngige emerges local best in 49th edition of golf championship

KENYA OPEN GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP Finn Pro Glfer Oliver Lindell of Vivik Golf follow his tee during the 2017 Barclays Kenya Open during the 50th edition of Kenya Golf Open 2017 at Muthaiga Golf Club on Friday, March 24, 2017. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Aaron Rai of United Kingdom (UK) is the overall winner of the 49th edition of Kenya Open Golf Championship that concluded at par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi yesterday.

Rai, 22, emerged champion with a total of 17 under par 267 in the four rounds played at the venue from Thursday.

The winner was consistent in the championship, firing a four under par 67 in the opening day. He improved his shots in the second day to finish with a five under par 66. Third day was a bit cumbersome as he dropped shots to end the day with a two under par 69.

Yesterday was his big day as he kept his focus to finish with a six under par 65, which greatly contributed to his crowning.

“I first took part in the Kenya Open last year but sadly I didn’t make the cut. I went back to the drawing board and rectified the mistakes so when I came back this year I was set for a respectable finish even though winning the tournament has even stunned me,” said Rai whose mother was born in Kenya but left for UK in the ‘70s.

Rai has taken part in several competitive tournaments around the globe, including Joburg Open, World Super Six Perth, Australia PGA Championship and the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final, which have all shaped him toward winning the Kenya Open. He said he would be back next year to defend his tilte.

His feat earned him Sh3.9 million which was part of the prizes presented to him by President Uhuru Kenyatta who graced the prize giving ceremony at the Muthaiga Golf Club last evening. Former President Mwai Kibaki, who is the Kenya Golf Union and Muthaiga Golf Club patron, was also present.

At the same time, Thika Sports Club golfer Simon Ngige was the best placed local in the tournament with a five under par 279 for the four rounds. Ngige was making a cut in the event for the second year running.

He fired an impressive three under par 68 in round four yesterday to end the 2017 championship 34th overall among the 156 players who took part.

Ngige had a four under par on day one which he followed with a two over on day two and a level par on the third day which he also recorded five birdies and two bogeys to finish with a three under in the last round.

“I maintained my game plan all throughout the tournament, this is what helped me to attain the cut and post better results this year as compared to the last six years I have been participating in this event,” explained Ngige.

But Ngige admits he is yet to embrace playing in the scorching sun as all his best results in the championships (four under on Friday and three under on Sunday) were realised when he was slotted for early morning tee off.

Despite his impressive performance, Ngige said he was rather disappointed that he failed to go past the 30th overall position he finished in last year’s edition. He ended the 2017 edition 36th overall.

Even though Riz Charania was happy to make the cut, since embarking on the tournament in 2006, which saw him end this year’s event at position 60 with a level par 284, Mumias golfer Dismas Indiza was dejected with his 54th finish with one under par 283.

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