Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-01-29 17:10:08
Home pro Njoroge Kibugu made a strong comeback in the 2023/2024 Safari Tour fifth leg, moving from seventh place in the opening round to share the lead with fellow clubmate Frank Matilo at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club course on Monday. Despite dropping a shot at the first hole, Kibugu managed to recover with a birdie four at the par five-fourth, and proceeded to birdie the seventh hole. However, he bogeyed the par four-ninth, carrying a level par 36 to the back nine. There, he birdied the 10th and then parred all the way to the 18th, finishing with a two under par 69 for the day and a two-round total of three under par 139.
Kibugu commented on the toughness of the course, particularly the rough, and mentioned the challenges of going off the fairway. Meanwhile, Matilo looked set to lead the leaderboard on his own after picking up three birdies in the front nine but picked up two successive bogeys on the back nine. Both Kibugu and Matilo will lead the field of 20 players into the third round of the ABSA Bank-sponsored event.
Railway’s Samuel Njoroge and Mutahi Kibugu tied for third place on two under par 140 after posting one under par 70 and level par 72 respectively. Meanwhile, Erick Ooko and Jastus Madoya dropped to fifth place, joined by Nelson Mudanyi, who fired one under par 70 for 141. Tuesday’s third round will see the leading group of Njoroge Kibugu, Frank Matilo, and Samuel Njoroge teeing off at 8:30 am. The winner of the event will take home Sh150,000 plus points towards the “Road to Magical Kenya Open’’.
