Three share PGK Masters lead

Thika Sports Club’s Simon Ngige Tuesday shot a clean four under par to tie with two others as the 2014 Jamii Telecom PGK Masters got under way at the par 72 Karen Country Club course.

Ngige who only used his driver at the second hole, birdied the par five-second hole, eagled the third also a par five, then parred the rest up to the 18th where he birdied for four under par 68 to share the lead with Muthaiga’s Nicholas Rokoine and Royal Nairobi’s Greg Snow.

“The course is good, clean with very little rough though the greens are still abit slow,” Ngige said.

“The secret however is keeping the ball in play and managing your game,’’ he added.

Just like Ngige, Rokoine shot a bogey-free 68 that included four birdies all at the front nine where he birdied the first, second, seventh and eighth and parred the rest.

“My game is getting back slowly and hopefully I will be ready for the Open by the time we are through with the Masters,” said Rokoine.

Snow also birdied four holes at the outward nine and two at the back nine where he also bogeyed the 17th after blocking to the right having earlier on failed to make it on two at the par four-fourth hole.

“I am not really worried about my game neither am I aiming to make the cut, but win,” said Snow, who was one of the five Kenyans who made the cut in the Open.

SECOND ROUND CUT

“For one to win the event, you must aim a bit higher than just making the second round cut,” Snow said. “We have been limiting ourselves just to make the cut, a mentality we must get rid of if we want to do well in the open.”

Dismas Indiza of Mumia and Nyali Golf and Country Club’s Kopan Timbe finished the first round of the Sh1 million event just a shot behind the three leaders

Timbe birdied the third and ninth at the front nine and 12th, 15th and 17th at the back nine where he also dropped two shots at the 13th and par three-16th.

Indiza who noted that his newly acquired Taylor Made driver was behaving well, said he was aiming for more than just three under.

“I know they are still working on the keep them in the right shape for the Open next week therefore we have to play them as they are’’ said Indiza who missed the cut during last year’s Open.

Six others tied on two under par 70, including Rwanda’s Jean Baptiste, South Africa-based Kenyan Stefan Andersen, David Wakhu of Royal, Jacob Okello and Richard Ainley and France based Masssimo Vinacia.

Anil Shah tied on 71 with Njuguna Ngugi and Boniface Simwa while shooting level par 72 were Frank Matilo, Nelson Mudanyi, and amateurs Robinson Owiti and Kenya Amateur Matchplay champion Nelson Simwa.