Golf Park’s David Wakhu poses with the Safari Tour Golf Series trophy at the Nyali Golf Club.

By DANIELLA APIYO

David Wakhu, from Golf Park, returned a sizzling score of 6-under par 65 on the fourth and final round of the Safari Tour championship at the Nyali Golf and Country Club to win the championship by three-strokes and claim the top prize of Sh150,000.

Wakhu started his campaign at Nyali with a less than impressive score of 6-over par 77 through his first round; he made amends in Round-2 finishing on 1-over 72 and went two better in Round-3 with a 1-under score of 70. At this point, Wakhu was tied in third place, seven strokes behind Dismas Indiza.

On the fourth and final round, Wakhu scored an eagle on the opening hole, he followed this with 3-consequtive pars from the second to fourth holes before picking up another birdie on the par-5 fifth and on the par-4 ninth. Wakhu’s only bogey came on the par-4 seventh for a total of 3-under on the opening nine. On the back nine, Wakhu made birdie on the 10^th and 11^th holes, put together five pars through to the 16^th hole, made birdie on the 17^th and par on the 18^th for a score of 3-under par on the back nine and 6-under par, 65 for the round. His tournament total of 284, level par was enough for a comfortable 3-shot lead over Indiza.

Wakhu’s final round score of 6-under equals the Nyali Golf and Country Club Professional record.

Kenya Open Golf Limited Chairman Peter Kanyago (left) hands a dummy cheque to the inagural Safari Tour golf series winner David Wakhu at the Nyali Golf Club today.

Speaking after his round Wakhu said he was focused on playing well. “My aim today was to play well and not necessarily win. I started the day too far behind Dismas (Indiza) and my thoughts were not on catching him, they were on bettering my score,” he said. “This week we have played under excellent tournament conditions and I believe that the Safari Tour will help Kenyan professional golfers prepare for the Kenya Open in 2019.”

Indiza had a rough day in the office through the fourth round, finishing with a 4-over par score of 75 for a 287-tournament total. Indiza only managed two birdies on the 1^st and 11^th holes and dropped shots on the 6^th, 9^th, 15^th, 17^th and double bogey on the par-4 7^th.

“It wasn’t my day, I couldn’t keep my drives on the fairway, I couldn’t hit my mid-irons with precision, it was a tough day,” Indiza said. “Congratulations to Wakhu for winning, he played very well and deserves the victory.”

For his efforts Indiza banked Sh100,000. Riz Charania and Eric Ooko finished tied in third playce with scores of 288 and collected Sh77,500 each.

The Safari Tour now moves to the Vet Lab Sports Club from the 1^st of September where the Professionals will compete for another total prize fund of Sh1m.

Mumias Sugar-based Dismas Indiza tees-off on day three of the Safari Tour Golf Series at the Nyali Golf Club.

By AMANDA DAMARIS

Kenya’s veteran golf professional, Dismas Indiza charged into the lead of the Safari Tour after an impressive five-under par score in Round Three. Indiza stated his intention early, posting a birdie on the open par-5 1st and an eagle on the par-four seventh. His only blemish on the opening nine was a bogey on the tough dogleg left par-4 fourth. On the back nine, Indiza posted early birdies on the 10th, 11th and 15th holes, made a sand save on the 16th but dropped an unnecessary shot on the easy par-5 17th after hitting his drive right off the tee. Indiza finished with an easy par on uphill par-3 18th.

With this performance, Indiza equalled the Nyali Golf and Country Club course record of 5-under. He is now 1-under par for the tournament and 4-strokes ahead of Eric Ooko.

Speaking after his round, Indiza said he was happy with his results. “It is easy to count the ones that didn’t go in, but overall I am happy with my round. I was swinging well, and the weather conditions were favourable for low scoring,” he said. “If the conditions remain the same tomorrow, I will make another attempt at that course record.”

Indiza is the only player under par after three rounds and is on course to pick up the bonus for returning a 4-round under par score.

Royal’s Eric Ooko played steady in Round-3, playing level through the first nine with a birdie on the first and bogey on the 6th hole; on the back nine, he made 8-pars and a lone bogey on the par-4 12th. Ooko now trails Indiza by 4-strokes going into the final round.

Windsor’s Riz Charania remained composed through Round-3 posting birdies on the 2nd, 3rd and 5th holes; however, he lost his swing and made back to back bogeys on the closing four holes of the front nine. On the back nine, Riz made one birdie on the par-5 11th but dropped two shots on the 13th and 16th holes to finish 2-over for the round and 6-over for the tournament on a total of 219.

Safari Tour Calendar 2018/19:

Event 1 – Nyali Golf & CC – 18 – 22 August

Event 2 – Vet Lab SC – 1 – 5 Sept

Event 3 – Limuru Country Club – 27 – 31 October

Event 4 – Thika Greens- 10 – 14 November

Event 5 – Karen Country Club – 15 – 19 December

Event 6 – Muthaiga Golf Club – 12 – 16 Jan

Event 7 – SAFARI TOUR CLASSIC – FEBRUARY – Venue TBC.

Total Prize Money per event: KES 1 Million.