Ooko early leader in Pre-Barclays Kenya Open Masters

Royal Nairobi Golf Club's Eric Ooko tees off from the 18th tee during the Rapid Golf tour first round on November 24, 2014 at Windsor Golf and Country Club. Ooko fired his way to the top of the leader board in day two of the Pre- Barclays Kenya Open Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) Masters after an impressive four under par 68 in Tuesday’s second round at the par 72 Royal Nairobi Golf Club course. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO

By  Larry Ngala

Reporter

NMG Sport

What you need to know:

  • Ooko who now leads the surviving 10 players after the second round cut, birdied three holes in a row at the front nine where he only dropped a shot at the par three-sixth.
  • He dropped another shot at the 13th also a par three and later at the 16th however birdies coming at the 11th, 14th, 15th and 17th saw him claim the leadership with a two rounds total of five under par 139 and a three shots lead from Thika Sports Club’s Simon Ngige.
  • Only 22 pros turned up for the 72-hole Barclays Kenya Open build up being sponsored by the PGK at the tune of Sh300,000.

Home pro Eric Ooko fired his way to the top of the leader board in day two of the Pre- Barclays Kenya Open Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) Masters after an impressive four under par 68 in Tuesday’s second round at the par 72 Royal Nairobi Golf Club course.

Ooko who now leads the surviving 10 players after the second round cut, birdied three holes in a row at the front nine where he only dropped a shot at the par three-sixth.

He dropped another shot at the 13th also a par three and later at the 16th however birdies coming at the 11th, 14th, 15th and 17th saw him claim the leadership with a two rounds total of five under par 139 and a three shots lead from Thika Sports Club’s Simon Ngige.

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“I real did not know that four under was going to put me at the top particularly after bogeying the 16th, but i am happy with my round all the same’’ said Ooko.

LEADERSHIP CHANGE

On the other hand Ngige also dropped two shots on the short holes and at the 12th and 18th for three under par 69 to tie for the second place with overnight leader Nelson Simwa on two under par total.

“The course is playing well though real running particularly at the back nine while the three temporary greens on first, fourth and eighth have proved a real challenge’’ said Ngige who had birdied the second, fifth and seventh at the front nine and the 10th, 11th, 14th and 15th with bogeys being recorded at the 12th, 13th, and 18th.

Only 22 pros turned up for the 72-hole Barclays Kenya Open build up being sponsored by the PGK at the tune of Sh300,000.

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