Local professional Dismas Indiza gestures during a press conference after the first round of Kenya Open Golf at Muthaiga Golf Club.

By DISMAS ONYANGO

Local pro Dismas Indiza raised the hopes of local players as he finished yesterday’s first round on four under par 67, only three shots shy of overnight leader Morten Orum Madsen.

The hard hitting golfer was tied fourth and will be a favourite to make the cut during today’s second round cut.

 “I played well today. I only had problems on hole four when my tee shot went to the bush, but I got out well and managed to get a par. On hole 10 I also went right, but again managed to pick a shot. I want to play safe tomorrow (today) to avoid any swuprises like last year,” said Indiza.

He added: “Today I played a soft eight iron on hole 13 which messed me up last year as I played par. Last year I was three under coming into the same hole and I dropped five shots to end the round on 10 over, so I want to be cautious this time.”

Indiza started poorly with a bogey on the par four first hole, but recovered with a birdie on the par four hole three, dropped another shot on the par three fifth before hiting back to back birdies on the par four holes eight and nine for a first nine score of 35.

In the second nine, the 44-year old golfer started with two birdies on the par five hole and par three hole 12. He picked another birdie on the par four hole 14 for a score of 32.

“The greens were hard and fast today, only the green on hole six was soft. The bankers are also very hard and I expect to play with winds today as I will be teeing off in the afternoon,” Indiza said.

Vet Lab’s Brian Njoroge finished as the second best Kenyan on three under par 68, while Njoro’s James Lorum finished as the third best placed Kenyan on two under par 69 and he was tied 14^th overall after the first round.

Lorum sunk two birdies and dropped two shots in the first nine and in the second nine played a boggey before sinking two back to back birdies on holes 17 and 18.

“Hole 10 was tricky today, but I was two on with a three putt. I am optimistic I will make the cut tomorrow, I only need to play level picking shots will be a bonus to me. I don’t want to be aggressive in tomorrow’s round, I will play safe,” said Lorum.

Nyali’s Kopan Timbe and Sigona’s Ganeev Giddie finished the day on one under, while Royal’s Anil Shah was on level par, as Jacob Okello played two over and Greg Snow was on five over the first round. michael kors tasche michael kors tasche

BOOST: Pamela Mutua, Divisional Manager Jaguar-Land Rover Handover a cheque to Patrick Obath, Tournament Director-Kenya Open

By ENOCK NGOME

Jaguar- Land Rover yesterday donated Sh 1million towards the Kenya Open Golf Championship starting on Thursday at the Muthaiga Golf Club. While receiving the donation, Tournament Director-Kenya Open Patrick Obath thanked Jaguar- Land Rover for coming on board to support the event.

She said the sport of golf has been recognised for integrity, sportsmanship, comradeship and for its premium cues. This week, the 150 golf professionals, among them 22 Kenyans, will demonstrate these qualities at the Muthaiga Golf Club as they compete in what is Kenya’s top golf event.

Pamela Mutua, Divisional Manager Jaguar-Land Rover said “Jaguar-Land Rover have invested about $52 million in facilities and human development in the Sub-Sahara Africa in the current business year. The investments are in various areas in order to maintain market leadership. Here in Kenya, a world class training academy is being put up for the training of staff within the region aimed at improving services to our customers. Our focus is on rendering world-class services to our growing number of customers in the region”.

“At the Kenya Open Golf Championship, we will be giving golf fans the opportunity to interact with our Range Rover vehicles. Since 1948, Land Rover has been setting standards and challenging conventions; our brands have defined and re-defined what is possible. Today, the iconic status of the Range Rover personifies luxury and premium quality. At the Kenya Open, we will be parading our world class products and you can rest assured that we are determined to maintain our top spot in the luxury vehicle segment.

On behalf of Jaguar-Land Rover, we wish all the golfers and fans, a great Championship.” She said. nike air max damen nike air max damen