INDIZA STRETCHES HIS LEAD ON DAY THREE OF KCB NYANZA GOLF TOUR
By DANIELLA APIYO
Mumias resident professional Dismas Indiza extended his lead by three shots as the third round of the KCB Golf Tour entered its penultimate stage at the par 70 Nyanza Golf Club. Indiza played a round of 1 over par 71 for a gross total of 5 under par 205.
The long-hitting pro sunk in 2 birdies in the first nine but candidly admitted he found the course conditions tough. He, however, managed two straight birdies on holes 10 and 11 but regretted the double bogey picked up on the par 4 hole 12.
Joint second are Thika Sports club’s Simon Ngige and David Wakhu of Royal who both tie on 2 under par 208.
Wakhu sunk in five birdies on holes 6, 10, 11, 14 and 15 but dropped shots on holes 13, 16 and 17.
Ngige on the other hand persevered the pain inflamed by his right wrist but racked up a total of four birdies on the 3rd, 10th, 15th and 18th holes. Like Indiza, Ngige was also left to rue a double bogey on the par 3 hole 8.
“Today the greens were really hard which made my putting really tough. My chipping was also affected by course conditions but I hope it rains overnight which I believe will soften the greens,” said Indiza.
Wakhu posted the best score today when he fired 1 under par 69 but regretted goofing the last three holes.
“I was 2 under going into the last three holes but dropped shots on the 16th and 17th holes before parring the 18th hole,” said Wakhu.
Wakhu however enjoyed the company of Riz Charania and Nelson Mudanyi.
“Riz was really formidable in the first nine. He sunk in 4 birdies but failed to uphold the tempo in the second nine,” said Wakhu.
Ngige was flabbergasted by his score despite an injury he sustain while practising on the Thika range last Saturday.
“I am surprised by my results so far. I didn’t know I would be able to play after the first round. I have found it really hard to hit iron shots. The course was not in good condition at all. The greens were really hard and fairways had overgrown grass,” said Ngige.
Day one leader Charania moved up from fifth to fourth position on Day 3 with a round of 1 over par 71.
“I missed a few greens and my chipping and putting wasn’t great on day two. I really tried to improve the score today (yesterday) but the conditions weren’t very favourable,” said Charania.
Boniface Simwa is lying fifth on 3 over par 213 gross. Muthaiga pro Frank Matilo holds the 6th position on 4 over par 214 gross.
PGK Captain John Wangai is placed 7th overall on 5 over par 215.
“The hardness of the greens made putting really difficult. The fairways are really big and if land the ball there you actually lose out,” Wangai said. Nelson Mudanyi was the biggest loser yesterday when he dipped from second position to 9th place after posting a disappointing round of 9 over par 79.
Play resumes at 9am today. The first group to tee off will comprise of Eric Ooko, JW Karanja and David Opati.
Indiza, Ngige and Wakhu tee off at 9.24am.
The KCB Golf Tour has been to Royal and Thika SC. The fourth round of the tour will be held at Nakuru Golf Club from July 7-19 at Nakuru Golf Club. A total of Ksh. 1 million is at stake in the lakeside tour. The winner will bag Ksh. 195,000.
DAY 3 LEADERBOARD:
1. Dismas Indiza (Mumias) 68, 66, 71 (205) -5
2. Simon Ngige (Thika SC) 69, 69, 70 (208) -2
3. David Wakhu 74, 65, 69 (208) -2
4. Riz Charania (Windsor) 67, 73, 71 (211) +1
5. Boniface Simwa (Eldoret) 69, 72, 72 (213) +3
6. Frank Matilo (Muthaiga) 68, 72, 74 (214)+4
7. Bryan Njoroge (Vet Lab) 68, 74, 73 (215) +5
7=CJ Wangai (Sigona) 71, 70, 74 (215) +5
9. Nelson Mudanyi (Muthaiga) 72,65, 74 (216) +6
10. David Opati (Windsor) 71, 73, 73 (217) +7
11. JW Karanja 71, 70, 76 (217) +7
12. Eric Ooko (Royal NGC) 76, 70, 73 (219) +9