By JAMES WAINDI (Chief Editor)

Leisure Lodge Golf Club caddie Ronald Omariba took an early lead after the first round of the 14^th edition of the Kenya Power Diani Beach Masters at the par 72 course in Diani.

Omariba who won the Dasani qualifier at the same venue three months ago, showed that he still had what it takes to win major tournament, when he posted 37 points to beat home player Mitesh Kumar on countback and claim the overnight leader’s tag on a sunny day.

Playing off handicap nine, Omariba started with a par on the first par four hole one, then sunk a birdie on the par five second hole and leveled par three hole five for a first nine score of 18 points.

In the second nine, Omariba leveled par three 12^th hole and par five hole 13, before sinking a birdie on the par three hole 15, then played pars on the par four 17^th and par five 18^th for a second nine score of 19 to beat Kumar on countback.

Kumar playing off handicap five settled for the second spot after the first day on a similar 37 points score (19, 18). Handicap 19 Silvia Kampa was third on 36 points (18, 18) after beating home player D. Edward and Lumatete Muchai from Mombasa Golf Club on count back.

Reigning tournament champion and the current leader of the Golfer Of The Year series David Opati had a false start in the competition as he could only manage 31 points after the first day. He conceded that it would be hard for his to retain the ‘Green Jacket’ given that the tournament’s format had been changed.

“I can say my chances of retaining the Diani Beach Masters this year are very slim, because last year it was a Kenya Golf Union event and the format of play was medal. This year it is not a KGU event and the format of play has changed to stableford and going with my handicap of +3 it would really be tricky for me to perform well,” said Opati, a member of the national team.

The competition continues today and anything could be possible going with the tradition of the tournament. The junior players can also not be ruled out as they are more than capable of turning round the tables. maillot de foot pas cher maillot de foot pas cher

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