Tension mounts in Safari Tour as Ngige, Akope tie at the top

Simon Ngige makes a swing at Nyali Golf and Country Club Course yesterday. [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard]

Kenya’s Simon Ngige and Uganda’s Deo AKope scored a two under par 211 gross round each to go level at the top of the leaderboard in day three of the ongoing Safari Tour Golf Series’ season four leg at the par 71 Nyali Golf and Country Club Course in Mombasa yesterday.

The Thika Sports Club’s professional Ngige and Uganda’s Deo Akope from Uganda Golf Club ended the day tied at the top of the leaderboard going to the final rounds today.

Ngige, who was lying second in round two on Monday with a one under total of 141 gross, yesterday brought a one under 70 gross to move to the top. 

Akope, who is the captain of Professional Association of Uganda and was lying in a fourth tie in the second round on Monday on a one over total of 143 gross, yesterday pulled up with the day’s best score of three under par 68 gross to share the top tie.

“I’m happy with my game. I have a game plan and will continue keeping the ball in play as we tackle the final day,” said Ngige.

Akope said: “I played a relaxed game, trying to enjoy every bit of it and my parting is fine. I have played the Nyali Course many times and it’s fantastic. I will be happy to win the event which will be good news to my people at home especially the amateurs.”

Golf Park’s David Wakhu and Kakamega-based Dismas Indiza follows closely with a level par 213 gross total each while Muthaiga’s Mutahi Kibugu sits in the third place on a one over 214 gross total.

But it was a bad outing for day one leader Robson Chinhoi from Zimbabwe who carded a four over 75 gross yesterday to bring his total to 215 gross, pushing him back to fourth slot.

He was followed by Rwanda’s Aloy’s Nsabimana and Zimbabwe’s team of Tranos Murazikwa and Visitor Mapwanya who tied on a round total of 216 gross.

The 22 golfers who made the cut will today battle it out in the final round for the prize money and also obtain points towards the “The Road to the 2022” Kenya Open Championship.

Athletics
Kenya hoping to defend World Cross Country title in Belgrade
Football
Fifa threatens Kenya with ban again
Unique Sports
SCHOOLS: Lenana School, Kisumu Girls and Agoro Sare turn focus on national games finals
Motorsport
Safari Rally: 29 drivers set for epic showdown as Safari Rally zooms off