Ooko takes five-shot lead at Captain’s Prize in Nyali

Erick Ooko follows the progress of his tee shot from the 17th hole tee box during the Professional Golfers of Kenya Masters, Pre-Kenya Open golf tournament on February 22, 2016 at Royal Nairobi Golf Club. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • Ooko is one of the guest professionals
  • Ooko bogeyed the seventh hole after rolling in pars before then, picked up a birdie at the par five-11th, but dropped one at the 16th.

Despite the strong wind and tough pin positions, Royal Nairobi’s Erick Ooko still managed to post one over par 72, to take a clear five shots lead in the Captain’s Prize at the par 71 Nyali Golf and Country Club course on Satturday.

Playing in the morning, Ooko, one of the guest professionals, bogeyed the seventh hole after rolling in pars before then, picked up a birdie at the par five-11th, but dropped one at the 16th.

“The wind combined with the heat and pin positions were conditions that made one to play bad golf though I am happy with my round.

“I would like to increase my practice as we approach the Barclays Kenya Open’’ said Ooko who finished five shots  clear of Vet Lab’s Mathew Omondi.

Leading the top amateurs, most of whom are national team players, was Railway’s Alfred Nandwa, who shot three over par 74.

His round included birdies at the first, fifth and seventh holes but he picked up  a double bogey at the fourth and at the sixth and eighth.

He started the back nine with a birdie at the par five-11th but bogeyed the 17th for the day’s two over par 73.

“The course was a lot tougher than during the Nyali Open but will see how it goes tomorrow’’ said Nandwa. Leading the morning lot among the club members was Peter Kimanga playing off 13 who fired nett 71 to lead those who played in the morning.

However, the rest of the field which was drawn in the afternoon was still battling it out for the top honours in the two day event being sponsored by Kelon Insurance Pwani FM, Johnnie Walker(EABL), and friends of the Captain. The final round is set for 7am Sunday morning followed by the prize giving ceremony in the afternoon.