All set as Pro-Am tourney gets action underway

Haydn Porteus speak to the press at The Karen Golf & Country Club, March 12, 2019 [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Haydn Porteous tees-up at the Magical Kenya Open 2019 with a change of focus in his practice round yesterday where he hit 16 greens on regulation during his practice session at Karen Golf & Country Club.

Porteous, who is the 2015 Barclays Kenya Open winner, said it feels good to be back in Kenya - a country he has fallen in love with due to its altitude, grass and atmosphere.

“This is the place I had my first major win. I am back home to a place where I had my first major tour win,” said Porteous, oozing confidence that he would play well in the Magical Kenya Open.

Porteous won the 2015 Barclays Kenya Open title in a closely-fought final play-off where he was up against his friend and fellow South African Brandon Stone.

He carded an eagle after posting a 68 to claim his first professional title since joining the professional ranks in 2013. 

Speaking to the media earlier, former European Ryder Cup team captain Thomas Bjorn said; “I have really good memories of Kenya. It is very different coming back now as I’m a little older and a lot more has happened but I have good memories in 1995 as a 24-year-old.”

“I always felt like I wanted to come back and now this is an opportunity for me to do so. So it’s great to be here. I am really looking forward to the week.”

“As a Dane, it is also really interesting coming here because of the name Karen Country Club and its heritage and association with Karen Blixen. Growing up, I went to visit Karen Blixen Museum in Copenhagen, and there has always been a relationship between Danes and this place, which is quite interesting.”

“It was important for me to not only win as a professional, but to also win against some of Europe’s best on the Challenge Tour. I feel that I grew a lot a player after that and it gave me the confidence to move to the European Tour – I would credit that victory with helping me become a multiple winner on the European Tour.”

Bjorn is among those expected to present a stiff challenge to last year’s Kenya Open champion Italian Lorenzo Gagli, who vanquished Swede Jen Fahrbring in a sudden death playoff on the third hole to claim Sh10 million top prize.

Twelve Kenyan professional golfers are among 156 professionals eyeing a share of the prize fund with the top player in this year’s Magical Kenya Open set to pocket Euros 183, 330 (Sh20.5 million).

Runner-up at the tournament will walk away with Euros 122,220 (Sh13.6 million) while the third-runner-up will pocket Euros 68,860 (Sh7.7 million).

All pros finishing among the top 10 will have a take-home of Euros 22,000 (Sh2.5 million) while the least prize kitty payout is set at Euros 2,010 (Sh224, 000).

The Kenyan prize onslaught is led by, C. J. Wangai (Professional Golfers of Kenya skipper), Rizwan Charania, Tony Omuli, Dismas Indiza, David Wakhu, Simon Ngige, Nelson Simwa.