Andersen takes three-shot lead in grand finale

South-Africa based Kenyan pro Stefan Andersen picked up a number of birdies to grab a three-shot lead as the 2014 KCB Golf Tour grand finale got under way at the par 71 Nyali Golf and Country Club course Tuesday.

Andersen, who along with another Kenyan pro Nelson Mudanyi have been featuring in the Sunshine Tour, took advantage of the current good condition of the Nyali course to fire home three under par 67 that gave him a three-shot lead from defending champion Brian Njoroge of Vet Lab and four clear shots away from Dismas Indiza and Windsor’s Riz Charania.

Andersen birdied the first hole, eagled the fifth, and picked up one birdie at the eighth but dropped a shot at the ninth. He started the back nine with a bogey at the par three 10th, recovered quickly at the par five 11th though dropped another shot at the 13th.

He however made birdies at the 14th and 17th to stay clear of the field of 54 players. The defending champion Njoroge meanwhile dropped two shots at the third, and eighth, against two birdies at the first and sixth, then played a clean two under par back nine that included birdies at the 11th and 17th for one under par 70. 

On the other hand, Indiza - who is seeking his first grand finale title - said was happy with the opening round score. “Its just the beginning, we still have tomorrow’s round which will decided on the top 24 who will go three the last two rounds,” said Indiza after his level par 71 where four shots separate him from the leader.

Indiza birdied the par five first hole, but bogeyed the fifth and sixth to finish the outward nine on one over par. He birdied the 11th and 17th but dropped a shot in between for one under par at the back nine.

“The greens are very well prepared though a bit hard so one has to be real careful,” said Indiza, who tied for the third place with Charania.

David Odhiambo of Nyanza and Muthaiga’s Nicholas Rokoine were on two over par 73 and still in with a chance of grabbing the first prize of Sh510,000.