Mercy Nyanchama of Vet Lab kisses the Ladies Matchplay trophy after being declared the winner.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Vet Lab’s Mercy Nyanchama overwhelmed Nancy Wairimu 3/2 to win this year’s Kenya Ladies Open Amateur Matchplay Championship held at Muthaiga Golf Club at the weekend.

Nyanchama playing off handicap index 1.5, said in her winner’s speech that her swing worked well for her during the tournament and thanked Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU) for the support and training sessions they organised for the elite team.

As part of the implementation of the KLGU strategic plan, the Council is keen to continue training lady golfers across the country mainly to grow the number of lady golfers and also to ensure they that are well equipped with the requisite skills at every level.

In Div A Rachel Ndei handicap index 12.1 also from Vetlab beat Mwongeli Nzioka 2 up. In Div B Jane Koech handicap index 17.6 from Eldoret Club beat Yusra Butt 2 up.

The knock-out event took place from Friday 30th September to Sunday 2nd October sponsored by Kenya Ladies Golf Union (KLGU). There was a high entry of 122 ladies over the three days in the four competitions. The players were in several divisions; Championship Division – 10, Division A – 14, Division B – 32, Statbleford Subsidiary – 52, Foursomes Subsidiary -14

For those who started off on Friday morning and made it to the finals on Sunday morning, it was an impressive 90 holes in total over 72 hours. This event was first held in Kenya in 1932 at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club. That is 90 years ago. At the time it was run by Kenya Golf Union as the Kenya Ladies Golf Union only came into existence 5 years later in 1937. The Champion at that inaugural championship was a lady called Mary Leonard. The runner-up was Mrs Frank who lost to her worthy opponent 3/2 holes to go. Similarly, at this 90th anniversary our champion this year, Mercy Nyanchama, beat her worthy opponent Nancy Wairimu 3/2, what a great coincidence! Indeed, history is known to repeat itself.

In the Foursomes Subsidiary; Hellen Manyara/Margaret Njoki scored 37 Stableford points beating Jennifer Ngure/Jennifer Kariuki who were runners-up with 28 points. In the Sunday subsidiary, Div A; Naomi Wafula playing off handicap 3 took the lead with 38 points, Hellen Chepkwony handicap 19 was the runner-up with 36 points, while Nyambura Gitimu handicap 20 was third with 33 points. The Div B winner was Minnie Mbue handicap 29 playing 39 points while Sara Mkok handicap 27 came in second with 38 points, Mary Wainaina handicap 23 was third with 36 points.

Gary Woodland of the United States watches his ball from the 15th tee, during a practice round for the 2022 US Open golf tournament, at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts, USA, 14 June 2022. EPA/CJ GUNTHER

By KGG TEAM

SuperSport viewers on DStv can see all the action from the PGA Tour’s Shriners Children’s Open from the TPC at Summerlin in Las Vegas, Nevada from Thursday 6 to Sunday 9 October 2022.

SuperSport is the ultimate destination for Golf fans, with an unparalleled selection of an action from around the world.

Founded in 1983, this will be the 40th edition of the Shriners Children’s Open. The 2021 tournament was won by South Korea’s Im Sung-jae, who shot 260 (-24) to win by four strokes ahead of American Matthew Wolff. It was Im’s second PGA Tour tournament victory, having won the Honda Classic in 2020 before the Covid-19 pandemic struck.

“It was very tough to get my first win but I felt like the second one was harder and harder,” Im said. “But I kept my patience. I tried to stay composed and I’m glad it came.”

This year’s Shriners Children’s Open will see Im return to defend his title against a tough field, that will feature at least three former Major champions: Jason Day (2015 PGA Championship), Gary Woodland (2019 US Open) and Stewart Cink (2009 British Open) have committed to play at this year’s event, while the likes of Rickie Fowler, Matt Kuchar, Cameron Champ, Harris English, J.T. Poston, Patrick Cantlay and Martin Laird will also be present in ‘Sin City’.

Fowler could be one to watch, with the 33-year-old having changed coach and caddy in recent times to ‘reinvent’ himself and rejuvenate his career.

“I feel like I’m in a really good spot,” Fowler explained. “I’m arguably as healthy and strong as I’ve ever been. The home life couldn’t be better. The little one is great.”

Asked about his goals, he added: “Get back to having fun and being in contention. Over the last few years, I wasn’t really in a position to be in contention a whole lot. There were a couple of times, but there shouldn’t be such big gaps between having a chance to win. I want to go out and beat guys.”

The TPC at Summerlin features a 7255-yard par 71 course, and the Shriners Children’s Open has a purse of $8million.

No rival can compete with SuperSport’s coverage. Our viewers on DStv can see all their favourite golf stars dominating courses across the world. Visit www.dstv.com to subscribe or upgrade, and join in on the excitement. And while you’re on the move, you can stream matches on the DStv App.

Shriners Children’s Open broadcast details

All times CAT

Thursday 6 October

23:00: Day 1 – LIVE on SuperSport Grandstand and SuperSport Golf

Friday 7 October

23:00: Day 2 – LIVE on SuperSport Golf

Saturday 8 October

23:00: Day 3 – LIVE on SuperSport Golf

Sunday 9 October

23:00: Day 4 – LIVE on SuperSport Golf