Lead image for Njoroge overcomes cracked club to win Nakuru leg, lead road to Magical Kenya Open.
Samuel Njoroge of Thika Sports Club overcame the hurdle of using a borrowed driver to card a stellar 12-under-par 280, clinching his second PGK Equator Tour title of the season at the par-73 Nakuru Golf Club on Sunday.
Njoroge had to borrow a driver from a friend after his own cracked at the range during a warm-up session.
“This win means a lot to me as I build up momentum towards next year’s Kenya Open. Winning two more events will secure my place in the Kenya Open.”
He dropped an early shot at the second par-four hole but recovered with a birdie at the fifth, before bogeyed at the seventh. However, he played a neat back nine that included two birdies at the 13th and 18th holes, to finish one under par (72), beating veteran pro Dismas Indiza by six shots.
This victory saw Njoroge take home the top cash prize of Sh201,000, as well as 1,000 points towards the PGK Equator Tour Order of Merit. The result also puts him at the top of the “Road to Magical Kenya Open” leaderboard with 3,852 points.
He is 962 points ahead of second-placed Dismas Indiza, who earned 600 points for finishing second in Nakuru. Greg Snow is third with 2,540 points, followed by Mohit Mediratta from Sigona with 2,430 points.
The following players would qualify for the Kenya Open if the tour ended now: Samuel Njoroge, Dismas Indiza, Greg Snow, Mohit Mediratta and David Wakhu (2,110 points), John Lejirmah (2,045), Mutahi Kibugu (2,007), Michael Karanga (1,660), Daniel Nduva (1,550), Njoroge Kibugu (1,490), Jastas Madoya (1,437), Taimur Malik (1,260), Edwin Mudanyi (1,220), Isaiah Otuke (1,125) and John Wangai (1,085).
The Tour will head to Sigona Golf Club for its seventh leg from August 27 to 30. The other rounds are scheduled for Royal Nairobi Golf Club from September 10 to 13, before the professionals travel to Mt Kipipiri Golf Resort in Nyandarua from October 8 to 11.