Magical Kenya Open: Ngige, Madoya carry Kenya’s hopes

Kenya's Simon Ngige during Magical Kenya Open 2019 at Karen Country Club on Friday, March 15, 2019. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Simon Ngige and Justus Madoya lead Kenya’s charge today as the Magical Kenya Open tournament ends at the Karen Country Club.

The duo continued with their steady streak yesterday to avoid the second cut and proceed to the fourth and final round of the tournament.

India’s Adri Arnaus and Italian Guido Migliozi tied at 14-under to take the lead from second day leader Jager De’ Louis of South Africa who dropped to third place at 12-under going into the homestretch today.

“Yesterday over the front nine I didn’t quite feel as good as I was having thoughts about my swing, but after that it all seemed to click and I have been able to implement new swing thoughts over and over,” said Ardi.

“I have been in this position before, and I think everything in the past is going to help me – all I have to do is try and play good golf again tomorrow.”

Ngige had his best outing yesterday, returning a round of 70 to take his total for the tournament to 3-under par 210.

The Thika Golf Club player, who is making his 13th Kenya Open appearance, started the round with a birdie at the par-4, first, before holing consecutive bogeys at the par-3, fourth and the par-4, fifth. He then holed a birdie at the par-4, seventh to card a first nine total of 35; having held par on the other holes.

On the back nine, he holed his third par-5, 11th birdie of the tournament before following it up with an eagle at the par-5, 12th.

He dropped a shot at the par-3, 14th but quickly made amends for it with consecutive birdies at the par-3, 16th and the par-4, 17th.

It is on the 18th green that he found trouble; his second shot landing into the right bunker, leaving him struggling. He eventually settled for a triple bogey to card a back nine total of 35.

Ngige, who has made the cut only twice before at the Kenya Open Golf Championship, said: “My first goal was to make birdie at the first hole as I haven’t managed to do so all tournament. I managed to do so, and that gave me the focus and momentum I needed for the day. I was playing well today and only really struggled at the last hole where I got a triple bogey. But that is golf, and we shall go again tomorrow and try and get the best from the round.”

Kenya's Justus Madoya during Magical Kenya Open 2019 at Karen Country Club on Saturday, March 16, 2019. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

On his part, Madoya carded a first nine total of 36 courtesy of a couple of bogeys at the par-3, second and the par-4, eighth and a lone birdie at the par-4, ninth; having held par on the rest of the holes. On the back nine, he carded a total of 36 courtesy of a bogey at the 16th and a birdie at the 12th having held par on the rest of the holes.

Speaking after the round, Madoya said: “It has been a good day and I thought I would go for something like five-under par, but I missed a number of putts that cost me. To prepare for tomorrow, I am headed for the practice green to perfect my putting ahead of tomorrow.”