By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Tom Hoge birdied six of his last seven holes in a nine-under-par 63 on Thursday, taking a one-shot lead over an impressive Seamus Power in the first round of the US PGA Tour Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

Hoge played on the par-72 Pebble Beach Golf Links, one of three courses in use over the first three days along with the par-72 Spyglass Hill and the par-71 Monterey Peninsula layout.

Power had eight birdies in his eight-under 64 at demanding Spyglass Hill — where his score was three strokes better than Tyler Duncan’s next-best outing at Spyglass.

Hoge, who was runner-up to Hudson Swafford at La Quinta in January, got off to a hot start in ideal conditions, rolling in a 30-foot birdie putt on the 10th hole at Pebble beach.

“That was really nice to see one go in early,” he said.

Hoge added a short birdie putt at the 11th and a birdie at 18.

He said a three-putt par at the second hole got him “a little fired up” and it showed when he launched his six-birdie burst with a seven-footer at the third.

“Four I was over the back of the green, pretty dead, just trying to get a chance for par and the chip went in somehow,” he said.

He drained a 19-footer for birdie at the fifth, two-putted for birdie from 19 feet at the sixth and rolled in a 12-footer at the seventh. Hoge capped the run with another birdie bomb at the eighth.

Power’s bogey-free effort was arguably more impressive. He teed off on 10 at Spyglass and after four birdies in his first 10 holes stormed home with birdies at his last four.

SuperSport viewers on DStv can enjoy all the four-rounds action from the PGA Tour’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at the Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill and Monterey Peninsula Golf Courses all through to Sunday 6 February 2022.

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

A world-renowned pro-am tournament, this event was founded 85 years ago and first hosted by entertainer Bing Crosby. Today, the starting field consists of 156 professionals and 156 amateurs. Each professional is paired with an amateur player.

On the first three days 156 two-man teams played a better ball format with one round on each of the three courses. The pros also played an individual stroke play format. On the final day, those professionals and pro-am teams making the 54-hole cut will play on the Pebble Beach Golf Links.

The defending champion on the professional side is Daniel Berger, who won the 2021 edition by two strokes ahead of Maverick McNealy. “I wanted to win the golf tournament. I didn’t want to lose it on the last,” Berger said. “I just wanted to go out there and try to hit the best shot that I could and I wasn’t going to be conservative on the three-wood coming in.”

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.

 

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am broadcast details

All times CAT

Thursday 3 February

22:00: Day 1 – LIVE on SuperSport Grandstand and SuperSport Golf

 

Friday 4 February

22:00: Day 2 – LIVE on SuperSport Golf and SuperSport Grandstand (from 23:45)

 

Saturday 5 February

20:00: Day 3 – LIVE on SuperSport Golf and SuperSport Grandstand (from 21:00)

 

Sunday 6 February

20:00: Day 4 – LIVE on SuperSport Grandstand and SuperSport Golf

By AMANDA DAMARIS AND DANIELLA APIYO

Nyali Golf and Country Club pro golfer, Bhavi Shah, is set to headline the Kenyan contingent’s charge when the 2022 Magical Kenya Ladies Open tees off from the 10th to the 13th of February at the 18-hole PGA Baobab Course at Vipingo Ridge, Kilifi County.

Bhavi, who will be returning to the tournament having taken part in the event’s debut season in 2019, will be flying the Kenyan flag alongside four amateurs – Naomi Wafula, Mercy Nyanchama, Chanelle Wangari, and Faith Chemutai.

Naomi and Mercy will also be making their sophomore outings at the tournament, with Chanelle and Faith being debutants this year. Naomi finished the event as the highest-ranked Kenyan in 2019, having carded a total of 13-over par 157 after 36 holes to finish tied in 87^th.

On her part, Bhavi ended her maiden Ladies European Tour (LET) campaign tied in 98^th and will be looking for a more robust finish this year. Commenting on the forthcoming event, she said:

“I am very excited that the Magical Kenya Ladies Open is back after a two-year break. I would like to thank all the sponsors and the hosts, Vipingo Ridge, for making the event possible and extending a special invite. I started preparing for this event late last year – a structured gym routine, some range work, and sharpening the short game. It will be a very competitive event, and being the first event of the year will set a tone for the tour. I am looking forward to our beautiful country being showcased and the local talent getting a chance to put our game to the test too.”

Bhavi, who for the second time will be the only Kenyan pro golfer at the event, will be hoping to floor a host of other participants drawn from different countries, including Germany, Spain, India, France, Finland, England, South Africa, among others.

Naomi – a former Kenya National Ladies Golf champion – is savouring the challenge ahead: “I am glad that I will be participating and competing amongst some of the top female golfers in the world at a Ladies European Tour event. I am currently down at Vipingo practising for the event, and I am ready and looking forward to it. I thank Vipingo Ridge, Kenya Ladies Golf Union, the Government, Magical Kenya, and all the sponsors for making this happen and for all the support,” she said.

15-year-old Chanelle will be looking to carry her recent top form into the event, having been crowned the 2021 Ladies Amateur Match Play Champion in September at an event held at her home club, Vet Lab Sports Club in Nairobi. The win came on the backdrop of yet another triumph in February that year when she was crowned the Kabete Ladies Open.

Naomi, Chanelle, Faith and Mercy have all been receiving support from Vipingo Ridge’s PGA Academy with custom club fittings as well as coaching of swing mechanics using the Academy’s high-tech launch monitor as part of a program with the Kenya Ladies Golf Union to support Kenya’s homegrown talent.

A field of 96 players will take to the course for a chance to be crowned the LET 2022 season opener winner at the Magical Kenya Ladies Open. Golf fans and enthusiasts will follow their favourite golfers at the course, following consultations with both the Kenyan Government and the LET – under which the tournament is organised.

Spectators can purchase tickets to the four-day tournament, the only women’s professional golf competition in the East African region. Tickets are available online on ticketsasa.com and are retailing for Ksh 500 per day. 

COVID-19 protocols that govern public events in Kenya will be strictly applied for the safety and health of fans and players. Only fully vaccinated spectators will be allowed to access the venue.