Ngige edges closer to maiden KQ Series win

Thika Sports Club’s Simon Ngige moved to the top of the leader board in his attempt to claim his first victory in the Kenya Airways Golf Safari Series on Wednesday.

During the second round of the 14th leg and third for the pros, Ngige fired four under par 68 to establish a two shots lead from home player Ken Abuto.

Ngige birdied the fifth and sixth, eagled the par five-seventh, for one under par at the front nine where he had bogeyed three straight holes from the second.

He started the back nine well, rolling in a birdie at the 10th though a bogey at the 12th spoiled what was going to be a colourful nine, as Ngige picked up a birdie and an eagle at the two long holes (14th, 15th), then parred the remaining three holes for a low three under 33, and a two rounds total of five under par 139. 

Abuto on the other hand, birdied the fifth and seventh at the front nine and later at the 15th and dropped a shot at the home green for his 71 that gave him a total of 141 while Shah shot one over par 73 to tie for the third place with Njuguna Ngugi (Railway).

Day one leader Richard Ainley shot a disastrous 10 over par 82 to drop to 14th place and out of the running for the top prize of Sh72,000.

KENYA OPEN

This week’s event is the first in a series of five local tournaments which are being used as a qualifying series for five slots in the 2015 Barclays Kenya Open set for April 9-12 at Karen Country Club.

The pros wind up their event on Thursday to give room for Royal members to battle it out for six return Kenya Airways tickets on Saturday where over 200 players are expected to participate.

Meanwhile, at Machakos Golf Club during the Elfu Group sponsored tournament held the day before, Jackson Maalu, playing off handicap 13 posted 38 points to win on countback from Victor Mutwii while club captain Dee Kivuva was third on 37 points. David Mila (36 points) and former captain Munyao Kamba (35) finished fourth and fifth respectively. 

The ladies prize went to Machakos County Women representative Susan Musyoka on 37 points, with C. Kibet leading the guests on 39 points. Ben Mumo and N. Macharia won the nines on 19 and 20 points.

At Sigona, Naomi Wafula made a come back in the ladies golf scene with a one shot victory in the Sigona Ladies Open. She fired gross 81 to beat home player Jane Njau while Vet Lab’s Mary Karano was third on 83.

The nett title went to Nolly Patel on 72 beating Golf Park’s Serah Khanyereri and Liz Mbuthia by two shots. Lucy Muhinga won the Bronze title on 98 gross, with Jedidah Kubo finishing second on 99 gross.

ROYALS'S LEADER BOARD

139 Simon Ngige 71, 68

141 Ken Abuto 70, 71

143 Njuguna Ngugi 74, 69

143 Anil Shah 70, 73

145 John Wangai 72 , 73

145 David Opati 71, 74

145 Tony Omuli 70, 75

146 Ajay Shah 70, 76

147 Sullivan Muthugia  73, 74

147 Boniface Simwa 77, 70.