ODEK DENIES SERIES CHAMPION LEJIRMA IN SUDDEN DEATH THRILLER AT NCBA NYALI OPEN
William Odek hoisted high by clubmates after winning the 2025 NCBA Nyali Open
By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS
Home player William Odek edged out 2025 Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Series champion John Lejirma in a dramatic three‑hole aggregate, then sudden‑death playoff to claim the NCBA Nyali Open title as the 2025 season came to a close at Nyali Golf & Country Club. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.
Both players had tied on four over par 217 after three rounds, forcing the playoff that was only decided on the third extra sudden‑death trip down the 18th.
After the pair matched each other shot‑for‑shot on the 18th twice, the turning point came when Lejirma pulled his tee shot left behind the bunker as he went for the flag, breaking from his earlier conservative strategy of aiming for the centre of the green. Odek held his nerve, found the middle of the putting surface, and calmly secured his par as Lejirma bogeyed, ending the defending champion’s reign at Nyali.
Odek’s final round was a roller‑coaster, starting brightly with a birdie at the 2nd before dropping shots at the 3rd, 4th, 6th, 8th, and 10th. An eagle on the 11th, however, swung the momentum back in his favour and kept him in front until Lejirma drew level on the 17th, setting up the playoff.
“I started out well with a par. Followed by a birdie but a series of bogeys followed but after getting an eagle on the 13th, I knew I had to hold steady and maintain it that way, which is what I did. The play-off against Lejirma was intense, but I am happy to have come out on top,” Odek said after his win.
Lejirma endured a rough start that included a triple bogey at the 4th, but showed his class with birdies at the 9th, 11th, 13th, and 17th to haul himself back into contention.
William Odek putts during the 2025 NCBA Nyali Open
“It has been a good long year full of lessons not just for me but also for everyone who walked the journey with me. I look forward to playing the Magical Kenya Open next but I will just keep it simple and trust my swing,” the 2025 KAGC Series ultimate champion said.
NCBA Group Director, Marketing, Communications & Citizenship, Nelly Wainaina, hailed the level of golf on display and reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to the Series.
“Today we were treated to an spectacular round of golf by Odek, Lejirma, and Kamais. The play-off between Odek and Lejirma was even more intense and that is why we support this series – so that we can get to witness such kind of play. This is our third year supporting the KAGC Series and we will continue doing so to ensure the amateurs have not just a platform to play but also get to earn a living out of it,” she said.
Nakuru’s John Kamais played a course record of seven under par 64 on Saturday to lead heading to the last round but a double bogey on the fourth followed by five more bogeys on the 7th, 8th, 10th, 12th, and 16th saw him drop to third at the end of round three.
Njoro Country Club’s Mercy Nyanchama had a decent outing as well, playing rounds of 73, 75, and 73 for a total score of eight over par 221 to finish fourth with Felix Dusabe and Michael Karanga tied for fifth having played a stroke more.
The 2026 calendar will feature 33 events following the addition of the Ulinzi Open set to be held at the Kenya Air Force Golf Club in March and the Machakos Open scheduled for April.
Tags: Kenya Golf Guide, Mombasa County, NCBA, Nyali Golf Club