By DANIELLA APIYO

Nakuru resident pro Richard Ainley was in imperious form as the opening round of the KCB Golf Tour teed-off at Royal Nairobi Golf Club on Tuesday.
Undaunted by early morning windy conditions, Ainley played an impressive round of 5 under par 67 to go to bed with a one shot lead on Day 1.
Benson Simwa played four under 68 to occupy the second position.
International Greg Snow and Frank Matilo were joint third on 2 under par 70.
Dismas Indiza, Hesbon Kutwa and Brian Njoroge finished joint fifth on a score of 1 under par 71.
Ainley, who has been playing some super golf lately, however note that his score would have been better if it were not for the two careless shots he made on holes 6 and 18.
“I’m really glad to have shot the same score I did at the same venue during the KQ series. I’m rather disappointed though that my score today would have been lower if it were not for the two careless shots I made. Conditions were very windy so it was difficult for me to place my shots where I wanted to and with the dry weather the course was playing really tight,” said Ainley.
Ainley parred on par 4 hole 1 but picked up 3 birdie on holes 2, 5, 8 for a score 36 in the first nine.
The Nakuru pro sunk in four more birdies on holes 10, 14, 15 and 16 for a score of 33 in the second nine.
Boniface Simwa was five under going into hole 18 but picked a bogey that saw him lose the lead to Ainley.
Indiza started off really well in the first nine where he shot two eagles on par 5 hole 7 and par 4 hole 3.
“I started really well in the first nine but made some grave errors on the back nine. I’m happy though that I’m playing really well at the moment and my swing is closer to where I want it to be,” said Indiza who is a member of the three man team that KCB sponsored to the recent Sunshine Tour in George and Johannesburg.
Top GOTY Amateurs who are preparing for Africa Zone 6 played badly with the best being K. Bollo and Bavnesh Chandaria shooting 3 over 75.
Tournament Director Elisha Kasuku said pros are excited having KCB as the title sponsor for the last 10 years.
“This is a good exposure for pros as its a great exposure for the Kenya Open. We are confident that top pros like Indiza can pull surprises in the Kenya Open. Play resumes today at 9.30am on Wednesday.
Wednesday’s round will see the top 12 players make the cut and the rest fall by the wayside. A total of 45 golfers are taking part in the event. The cut tomorrow, according to tournament director Kasuku, is being projected at +4.

Leader board, Round 1:
1. Richard Ainley 67 (-5)
2. Benson Simwa 68 (-4)
3. Greg Snow 70 (-2)
3= F. Matilo 70 (-2)
3=Simon Ngige 70 (-2)
6. Hesbon Kutwa 71 (-1)
6= Dismas Indiza 71 (-1)
6= B. Njoroge 71 (-1)
9. Jacob Okello 72 (level)
9=N. Mudanyi 72 (level)
11. P Thuo 73 (+1)
11=E. Ooko 73 (+1)
13. J. Karanja 74 (+2)
13=Ajay Shah 74 (+2)

Amateurs results:
K. Bollo (Royal) 75 (+3)
B. Chandaria (Muthaiga) 75 (+3)
Robinson Owiti (Vet Lab) 76 (+4)
Nelson Simwa (Vet Lab) 78 (+6)
John Karichu (Limuru)78 (+6)
Alfred Nandwa 78 (+6)
Justus Madoya (RV) 81 (+9)
W. Odera 82 (+10)
D. Sakwa 82 (+10) pandora charms sale pandora charms sale

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