Robson Chinhoi at Muthaiga today.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Zimbabwe’s Robson Chinhoi beat Nyali Golf and Country Club’s Daniel Nduva by four shots, to claim the eighth and final leg of the 2021/2022 Safari Tour golf series sponsored by KCB at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club course.

Currently in his best form, Chinhoi who led from day one, fired an eight-iron approach shot to about 10-feet at the 18^th hole where he eventually rolled in an eagle putt, to complete the day with two under par 69 which gave him an all rounds total of 15 under par 269 for his third back to back victory and his fourth title this season.

“My game has been very good the whole of this season and I am more than ready for the Magical Kenya Open. For today’s round, I was on the right path and knew right from the first round that I had a chance to win this one, though I made some few mistakes which saw me drop two shots at the 14^th, and three bogeys elsewhere’’ said Chinhoi who started by winning his first tournament at Vet Lab last year, missed the Uganda Open, but back to Kenya, he won the Limuru leg, Karen and finally the last one at Muthaiga.

“I am going to work on my shot game before the Magical Kenya Open, and I believe this time round, I will go past the first two rounds’’ added Chinhoi whose victory earned Sh443,333 which included bonus money of Sh83,333 for under par rounds scored.

Chinhoi had been engaged in a neck and neck battle by the Nyali golfer Nduva who has been playing in the Sunshine Tour and who appeared set to turn the tables on Chinhoi though he made three bogeys at the front nine’s fourth, eighth and ninth after making a birdie at the second and an eagle elsewhere. He made two birdies at the 15^th and 17^th where he drove to the centre of the green.

He however tried to play a cut on his eight iron approach shot at the 18^th, where he however hit straight to the right bush. Chipped out and fired to the green but missed his put for a par, to drop a crucial shot which left him on one under par 70 and a total of 11 under par 273.

“I thought of playing a nine-iron which was actually the right club, but changed my mind and played eight and it was that confusion which resulted in me trying to play a cut that did not come out well. I am happy though with my performance and I wish the organizers of the Magical Kenya Open can give me a wildcard since I was not able to play in the rest of the Safari Tour events since I was completing my studies and had to play some few Sunshine Tour events’’ said Nduva who won Sh306,667.

Senior pro Dismas Indiza also with an 25-footer eagle put at the 18^th saw him finish in third place on 10 under par total of 274 after an impressive five under par 66. “ I gave it my best though the first two rounds was not as good as I would have wanted. You need a strong start in order to be able to attack for the top’’ said Indiza.

Leader board:

Robson Chinhoi (Zim) 64, 66, 70, 69=269

Daniel Nduva 65, 72, 66, 70= 273

Dismas Indiza 70, 71, 67, 66= 274

Ronald Rugumayo (Ug) 69, 68, 73, 66= 276

Jeff Kubwa 73, 66, 71, 70= 280

Paul Chidale (Maw) 66, 70, 75, 69=280

Samuel Njoroge 72, 67, 71, 71= 281

John Wangai 72, 71, 69, 69= 281

Justus Madoya 68, 74, 70, 69= 281.

Max Homa of the US hits his second shot on the first hole in the fourth round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament at TPC Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, 13 February 2022. EPA/RICK D’ELIA

By KGG TEAM

SuperSport viewers on DStv can look forward to seeing all the action from the PGA Tour’s The Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, California from Thursday 17 to Sunday 20 February 2022.

SuperSport is the ultimate destination for Golf fans, with an unparalleled selection of action from around the world.

First played in 1926 as the Los Angeles Open, The Genesis Invitational is one of only five tournaments given “invitational” status by the PGA Tour, and consequently it has a reduced field of only 120 players (as opposed to most full-field open tournaments with a field of 156 players). The other four are the Arnold Palmer Invitational, RBC Heritage, Charles Schwab Challenge and the Memorial Tournament.

Last year’s Genesis Invitational was won by American Max Homa, who shot 272 (-12) and then defeated Tony Finau via a playoff to claim his first title in his home city of Los Angeles. “I don’t know if I could ever do anything cooler in golf than this,” Homa said after his triumph in 2021.

“Just for me, for my caddie Joe, we were raised 25 miles north of here. Tiger Woods is handing us a trophy, that’s a pretty crazy thought. We grew up idolizing him, idolising Riviera Country Club, idolising the golf tournament. To get it done, it’s almost shocking, but it feels like it just can’t be topped.”

The 2022 field for The Genesis Invitational includes returning champion Homa, as well as top PGA stars such as Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay. Another player to watch is Aaron Beverly, who received the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption from golf legend Tiger Woods.

“Like me, Aaron learned the game from his dad,” said Woods, who serves as host of the Genesis. “I know Charlie Sifford would be proud of Aaron as he makes his PGA Tour debut at Riviera next month.”

Since 2009 the honour has been given to a golfer representing a minority background to play in the annual PGA Tour stop at Riviera. Past recipients include Cameron Champ, Harold Varner III, J.J. Spaun and Joseph Bramlett.

A two-time Big Sky Player of the Year at Sacramento State University, Beverly has played on the PGA Tour Latinoamérica Tour and Makenzie Tour. Aaron also serves as an assistant club professional at Valley Hi Country Club in Elk Grove, California.

The Riviera Country Club has a 7,322 yards, par 71 course. The purse for the Genesis Invitational is $12million.

No rival can compete with SuperSport’s coverage. Our viewers on DStv can see all their favourite golf stars dominating courses across the world. Visit www.dstv.com to subscribe or upgrade, and join in on the excitement. And while you’re on the move, you can stream matches on the DStv App.

The Genesis Invitational broadcast details

All times CAT

Thursday 17 February

21:00: Day 1 – LIVE on SuperSport Golf

Friday 18 February

21:00: Day 2 – LIVE on SuperSport Golf

Saturday 19 February

20:00: Day 3 – LIVE on SuperSport Golf

Sunday 20 February

20:00: Day 4 – LIVE on SuperSport Golf