Overall Winner-Taimur Malik from Muthaiga Golf Club.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Home player Taimur Malik shook off a slow start to play an impressive three under par 68 in the final round of the three-day annual Junior Golf Foundation (JGF) Junior Strokeplay Championship at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club to be crowned champion.

The youngster had started off the championship with a eight over par 79 score in the first round played on Monday and followed it up with a three over par 74 in the second round played on Tuesday morning to tie third at an aggregate score of 153.

He got better in the third round played on Tuesday afternoon as he dropped just two shots for two over par 73 and an aggregate of 226 going into the final round.

His brilliance on the course in the final round played yesterday morning, where he was returned the only under par score in the tournament’s four rounds, saw him crowned the overall gross winner with a 294 aggregate score.

The home players dominated in this championship as Mutahi Kibugu was crowned gross winner in the 16-21 years category after playing a steady round of golf for an aggregate score of 297 for second place overall. Kibugu fired rounds of 78, 72, 73 and 74 for the final score.

On his part, Zubair Khan had a final round to forget as he returned a score of eight over par 79 which saw him drop to third place overall and picked the runners up prize in the 16-21 category.

The Muthaiga youngster had played for five over par 76 to take a two-shot lead from club-mate Kibugi in the first round. He was in his best form in this championship on the second round as he shot one over par 72 to maintain a lead half-way through the tournament.

A third round score of three over par 74 had set Khan of the path of victory but he dropped eight shots in the final round yesterday for an aggregate score of 301to rank third overall.

Leo Zurovac was crowned champion in the 14-15 years category after rounds of 87, 75, 80 and 72 for 314 gross score. Andrew Wahome won in the 13 and under category after an aggregate score of 327.

The tournament, which was organised by the Junior Golf Foundation and sponsored by Crown Paints Limited, is one of the World Ranking events in the country.

South African Golfer Toto Thimba kisses his trophy after being crowned the 2019 KCB Karen Masters Golf Tournament Champion yesterday at Karen Country Club.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Thirty three-year old South African Toto Thimba beat Portuguese Stephen Ferreira by three strokes to win the third edition of the KCB Karen Masters.

Both players were 23 under going into the par5-15^th but Thimba pulled through with back to back birdies on holes 15, 16 and 17 which the Portuguese parred to finish second.

The Mamelodi-based Silver Lakes Country Club professional becomes the first black golfer to lay his hands on the coveted blue jacket following the four-day 72-hole stroke play event which folded it’s curtains at par 72 Karen County Club. It was a bitter pill for Ferreira to swallow after leading the tournament in the first three days. Ferreira went into the last round with a shot lead which he failed to sustain as round four action wore on.

Thimba, who also led his team to Pro-Am victory on Tuesday, was at it again with a tournament record of 26 under par 262 as the Kenyan round of the Sunshine Tour came to a dramatic end.

This went down as Thimba’s first career win in the prestigious Sunshine. “Every time I go to play in Africa I am always treated well by the home fans. I mean, the crowd which has trailed me over the last two days made me feel like I am home. It wasn’t easy fighting with Stephen, but I made it look easy going into the last four holes. I played well but Steve was quite aggressive. I have had to contend with immense pressure over the last the days but had great attitude this week. The win will definitely open the mighty doors of opportunity in the bigger Tours,” said Toto.

Ferreira who set a course record of 10 under on the opening day was left to rue his last round of 69 which handed his opponent the title in the latter stages.

“I have had a great tournament. Shooting 23 under in four days and carding the event’s best round on Thursday is no mean achievement. I had a shaky start on the last round and lost it in the last four holes. Toto has played really well and deserves it at the end of the day,” said Ferreira.

Greg Snow was the leading Kenyan after he settled for joint seventh position on 11 under par 277.

David Wakhu was the second best placed Kenyan on 6 under par 282 gross to finish T27.

“Im overly excited with the result. Wrapping up my campaign in the top ten is a great achievement. I didn’t have a good game in the first few hole so had to change my game plan going into the second nine wich paid off,” said Snow who played  a round of 2 under par 70 on the last day.

Thimba’s win earned him Ksh. 2.4million while Snow went home with Ksh. 365,750.

FINAL RESULTS:

1.         Toto Thimba   RSA      R. 348,700.00 (-26)    262     

2.         Stephen Ferreira         POR     R.243,100.00   (-23)    265     

3.         Keith Horne     RSA      (-17)    271     

4.         JC Ritchie         RSA      (-16 )   272                   

5.         Garrick Higgo RSA      (-14)    274     

6.         MJ Viljoen       RSA      (-13) 275                      

T7.         Thriston Lawrence      RSA      (-11)    277     

T7 .        Greg Snow       KEN (-11)         277                 

T 9.        Merrick Bremner        RSA (-10)         278                   

T9 .        Estiaan Conradie         RSA (-10)         278

T9 .        Steve Surry      ENG     (-10)    278