Ngige hangs onto lead after second round

Crown Invitational challenge day two runner-up CJ Wangai in action at Muthaiga Golf Club, June 5, 2019. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Simon Ngige rallied his charge for a share of Sh1 million purse by taking round-two of the Crown Invitational professional challenge at the par 71, Muthaiga Golf Club on Wednesday.

Ngige, of Thika Sports Club, played level par 71 to cling onto the lead at 1 under par 141, finishing two shots clear of CJ Wangai, of Sigona Golf Club who came in second after round two

Thanks to an even round, Ngige played level on both nines picking an equal number of birdies, pars and birdies from both to sustain his hold onto the lead.

He picked his pars from the, first, second, fourth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth holes. Birdied the par-3 third hole, dropping a shot on the par-3 fifth hole from where he managed a bogey.

Making the turn at level par, Ngige made pars on the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th holes, he however dropped a shot on the par-4 17th from where he inked a bogey. But redeemed himself with a birdie on the 18th hole.

Ngige, attributed his not so good showing after the second round to a bad game off the decks, though he salvaged himself with a better short game.

“I felt on top of things going into today's’ game,” said Ngige. “I however had a foul start off the tee on several occasions but made amends by executing a solid short game which paid up for the errors."

“Going into the third round, I intend to manage my game, by keeping the ball in play, partly by trying as much to hit the fairways and sticking to my game plan.” added Ngige

Dismus Indiza, of Mumias Sports Club, carded 1 over par 72 to take his second day total to 2 over par 144, for a third-place finish after round two.

In fourth place, David Odhiambo, of Nyanza Golf Club who was tied for third place in the opening round at three over par 73, closed the second round at one over par 72 (144), where he was tied with Golf Park’s Tony Omuli 73,72 (145) and Windsor Golf & Country Club’s David Opati 74, 72 (146).

Ugandan, Phillip Kasozi, had a bad outing on the course on the second day, playing five over par 76, diluting his great opening round showing, where he had posted one over par 71, to tie for sixth place with JW Karanja 75,72, for a round two total of 147.

Six pros, Riz Charania 71,77 (Windsor), Jacob Okello 71,77 (Golf Park), Erick Ooko 74,74 (Royal Nairobi), Boniface Simwa 75, 73 (Eldoret), NM Ngugi 77, 71, and the latest kid on the professional block Edwin Mudanyi were all tied for seventh place at 148.

Making the cut into the third round that tees up Thursday morning and closing the top ten tier were the trio of Hesbon Kutwa 73, 76, (149), Nelson Mudanyi 76, 73 (149) of Muthaiga Golf Club and G Giddy 77, 72 (149).