By CYNTHIA OMBATI

Nandi Bears professional James Lorum was one of the note able absentees when the Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) yesterday released a list of 20 local pros to represent the country at this year’s Kenya Open Golf tournament set to run between March 29 and April 1 at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club.

No local player has ever won the prestigious tournament since its inception and local fans will be having high expectations this year after watching the pros post impressive scores in recent tournaments.

The closest a Kenyan has come to clinching the tournament was in 1998 when Jacob Okelo tied with Argentine Ricardo Gonzalez, before losing in a sudden- death playoff, but PGK chairman Charan Thethy believes the locals are capable of a surprise this time noting that the players have come of age, thanks to a number of professional tournaments sprucing up.

Thethy said they used their criteria in selecting the team, where they gave priority to their order of merit, those who made the cut during last year and professionals who have been playing outside the country.

Former golfer of the year Sullivan Muthugia who turned professional last year as well as Railway’s Njuguna Ngugi were some of the surprise inclusion in the list.

“We used our order of merit to select the 20 players to play at the Kenya Open. We also gave consideration to the players who made the cut during last year’s tournament as well as those who play in tournaments outside the country like the Sunshine Tour, so I am confident we have a very strong side this time,” Charan said.

He said the Kenya Open Golf Limited were also planning to run a qualifier closer to the time of the open for those who have not made it on this list.

The cash prize of the tournament will remain Sh22.2 million (200, 000 Euros) and that the event will bring together a total of 150 players. nike air max blancas nike air max blancas

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