MAN OF THE MOMENT: David Odhiambo poses for a photo after today’s round at Muthaiga.

By DONALD WELLINGTON

David Odhiambo of Nyanza dislodged first round winner Dismas Indiza on top of the leader board, to take the lead after the second round of this year’s Jamii Telecom PGK Masters tournament at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club today.

Odhiambo who trailed Indiza by two shots after the first round on Tuesday, bounced back yesterday and now enjoys a three shot lead ahead of his closest opponent, Vet Lab’s Brian Njoroge.

At yesterday’s round, the Nyanza resident professional started on a bright note with a birdie on the par four first hole, but dropped a shot on the par three second where he had a three putt.

He, however, recovered with back-to-back birdies on the par four third hole, par five hole four and par three fifth hole, before playing pars on the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth holes for a first nine score of 33.

In the second nine, Odhiambo was a bit cautious, picking pars in all the holes for a score of 35 to earn him an overall score of three under par 139 after the first two rounds.

“I believe I could have played better today. My putting let me down, for instance in the second hole I was on with a single shot, but putted three times,” said Odhiambo.

He added: “I have been working on my putting for the last two hours after I finished my round and I believe it will be better in the third round. I am not under any pressure and I will be keen to make sure that I put the ball on the fairway at all times.”

Njoroge who tied second after the first round, maintain his runner-up position after playing one over par 72 for a two round total of level par 142.

First day leader Indiza tumbled after managing three over on the second day of the competition and is now placed third on one over par 143, while Windsor’s Riz Charania who also doubles up as the Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) chairman, tied with Richard Ainley on three over par 145.

According to tournament director Elisha Kasuku, the cut yesterday was projected at 150, meaning that only 14 players out of the 37 professionals made the cut and will compete in the last two rounds of the competition. maillot de foot maillot de foot

Dismas Indiza (L) receives a prize from Mumias Sugar’s head of Communication and Marketing Pamela Luta at a past tournament.

By DONALD WELLINGTON

There is an old adage that the best is normally saved for the last and true to the words; Dismas Indiza had to wait for the final hole to produce a cameo performance and take an overnight lead at this year’s Jamii Telecom PGK Masters.

The Mumias resident professional sunk an albatross at the par five 18^th hole to end the first round of the competition on two under par 69 on a sunny day at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club.

Initially he had mixed fortunes in his round before approaching the magic and was destined for a poor round until the late turn around. He picked a birdie on the par five hole four, but dropped a shot on the next hole, a par three fifth hole and had another bogey on the par four eighth hole for a first nine score of 37.

In the second nine, the hard hitting player started brightly with a birdie on the par five 10^th hole, picked another shot on the par three 13^th, before dropping a shot on the par three 16, then finished in-style with an eagle on the 18^th hole.

He, however, carries a single shot lead, with Nyali’s Kopan Timbe, Vet Lab’s Brian Njoroge and Windsor’s Riz Charania who is also the Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) chairman, all breathing on his neck, making today’s round a must watch.

Charania in his round picked three birdies in the first nine and had mixed fortunes in the second nine where he had two birdies and two bogeys.

Njoroge on the other hand, had a single birdie and a single on the front nine, then picked three back-to-back birdies in the second nine on holes 10, 11 and 12.

According to Elisha Kasuku, the tournament’s director, the cut will be made after today’s round and only the top 15 players out of the field of 37, will play in the last two rounds. The players who make the cut will also enter the money bracket.

Local professional are currently using the 72-hole competition to fine tune their golf before Barclays Kenya Open tees off next week at the Karen Golf and Country Club. nike air max soldes nike air max soldes