MUCHANGI RULES THE ROOST AT LIMURU OPEN AS GOTY SERIES PICKS MOMENTUM
By KGG REPORTER
Paul Muchangi used home ground advantage to win his maiden Kenya Golf Union (KGU) Golfer Of The Year (Goty) series event, the Limuru Open Championships at the par 72 Limuru Club course at the weekend after a five-year wait.
The handicap one player carded one under par 71 in the third and final round to beat club-mate John Kariuki by a single shot and rule the roost.
Starting the tournament with one under par 71, Muchangi Double bogeyed the 15th and picked a single bogey at the 16th for five over 77 in the second round.
He, however, picked up eight pars and a bogey in the opening nine of the final round, birdied 11th and the 18th with only a bogey at the 16th for a three rounds total of 219.
His best placing in any event in the 18-events Goty series was a second place in this year’s Trans Nzoia Open in Kitale where he was beaten by Royal Nairobi Club’s Kenneth Bollo in a sudden death play off.
Former Strokeplay champion John Kariuki carded an impressive three under par 69 in the final round having shot 78 and 73 in the first and second rounds respectively for 220.
Kariuki has been struggling with his game since last year’s Africa Amateur Team Championships held at his home course.
He was just a shot better of Muthaiga’s Jeff Kubwa who posted 76, 73 and a level par 72 to finish third on 221 gross and a shot better than round two leader Edwin Mudanyi who started well, posting 72 and 73 before dropping a number of shots for 77 and a total of 222.
Goty leader Kenneth Bollo had a weekend he would wish to forget fast with a second round 75 being his best score having fired 78 for a start and a closing 81.
He finished in the 11th place while Goty reigning champion John Karichu was again off the mark as he could only tie for 12th with Vet Lab’s Robinson Owiti on 236.
Selected Limuru Open Results:
- Paul Muchangi 219 (71, 77, 71)
- John Kariuki 220 (78, 73, 69)
- Jeff Kubwa 221 (76, 73, 72)
- Edwin Mudanyi 222 (72, 73, 77)
- Dennis Maara 226 (76, 78, 72)
- Samuel Njoroge 227 (73, 76, 78)
- Alfred Nandwa 228 (74, 80, 74)
- Dennis Saikwa 229 (78, 77, 74)
- Andrew Chelogoi 230 (79, 70, 81)
- Bernard Omondi 233 (77, 77, 79)
- Kenneth Bollo 234 (79, 75, 81)