Dylan Mostert lines his putt at Muthaiga Golf Club today.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

South African Dylan Mostert and American Caitlyn John took an early lead tying on seven under par 64 after the first day of this year’s Magical Kenya Open Golf Championships at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club.

Mostert 24, who is ranked 339 in the DP Tour, enjoyed the services of his caddie, local pro-Mohit Mediratta who has a good knowledge of the course, to sink eight birdies and set the tempo going into day two’s crucial round where players will be subjected to a cut. The member of Modderfontein Golf Club, however, had a bogey on the par four hole nine.

Catlin completed his round with a thrilling albatross on the long par five hole 18 to the excitement of fans who were seated at the clubhouse next to the hole.

The 32-year-old who has three DP Tour titles to his name also had five birdies and didn’t drop any shot on the first day.

Dutchman Wil Besseling and Pierre Pineau tied on six under par 65 to share the third spot after the first round. Besseling 37, had eight birdies but fumbled on the par four hole 15 where he had a double bogey after missing his putt twice.

Youngster Pineau who is ranked 393 managed four birdies and an eagle on the par five hole four.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s trio of Judy Wanjiku, Carl Wambasi and Golf Park’s Francis Wambua alongside Dutch national Will Besseling emerged victorious in the pre-event of the Magical Kenya Open-ProAm tournament played at Muthaiga Golf Club, Wednesday.

The team of four carded 42 under Par at the Par 71 course to beat the team of Scottish Pro Grant Forest, Mike Mutiga, Peter Karoki and Felista Mutinda who amassed 39 under par at close of business.

At the same time, the team led by South African great Justin Harding, Bein Gathuma, Sam Kangau and Ex-Muthaiga Golf Club Chairman finished on 36 under par to push the line. Additionally, there were four other teams who tied at 35 under par with Scottish Pro Robert MacIntyre alongside Sports Ministry Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke, Francis Muraya and Bernard Kiraithe who is the sitting Royal Nairobi Golf Club Chairman. 

Kenya Open Round 1 Leader Board:

Dylan Mostert (South Africa) -7 (64)
John Catlin (USA) -7 (64)
Wil Besseling (Netherlands) -6 (65)
Pierre Pineau (France) -6 (65)
Borja Virto (Spain) -5 (66)
Tom Murray (England) -5 (66)
Nick Bachem (Germany) -5 (66)
Caset Jarvis (South Africa) -5 (66)
Gavin Green (Malaysia) -5 (66)

Mutahi Kibugu gets off a bunker at the Muthaiga Golf Club.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Kenyan players posted mixed results on the first day of this year’s Magical Kenya Open Golf Championships that teed off at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club.

Home player Mutahi Kibugu was the best-placed Kenyan after the 18-holes, managing a three-under-par 68 score. Kibugu who will be hoping to emulate his younger brother Njoroge Kibugu who was the only Kenyan to make the cut last year, sunk two birdies on the par three, second hole and the long par five hole four for a first nine score of 34. In the second nine, he started brightly with a birdie on the par five ninth hole, before dropping two back-to-back shots on the par three 11^th and par four 12^th. He recovered with a birdie on the par four 14 but played another bogey on the par four 15^th before picking two back-to-back shots on the par three 16^th and par four 17^th.

After finishing his round, Kibugu was happy with his putting and drives and looked forward to a more competitive afternoon today when he tees off at 12.40 pm.

“Starting at back nine helped a lot. Unfortunately, I was a bit bruised in the second nine with back-to-back bogies in holes 11 and 12 but overall, the recovery was great given how I started,” Kibugu said.

He added: “I had some good leaps out there and my drive worked great with my fairway hitting at the tees clocking anything between 330-350 yards which was good. I liked the course and playing in it was okay because I picked a couple of birdies. Friday will be the ultimate test, but I am ready and given how I am playing, I feel confident.”

Greg Snow closed the day at level par 71 and has a chance to progress today if he manages an underscore to be sure of making the cut. He had a birdie in holes 2,9,10 and 18 but was hampered by bogeys in holes 6,11,13 and 15.

Dismas Indiza also finished on Par 71 in Day One with a staggering five bogeys not helping his cause. He hit level par in seven holes and had birdies in holes 2,11,12,17 and 18. His striking and putting were not up to scratch and at certain moments he looked frustrated on the course. The veteran player had four level par in the opening five holes before getting the calm effect for a short while.