Indiza leads Open charge as three Kenyans make cut

Long-hitting veteran Dismas Indiza Wanyonyi starred for Kenya on day two of the 2017 Barclays Kenya Open when he hit a five-under 66 to go four under for the tournament at Muthaiga Golf Club on Friday.

Other local golfers, Riz Charania and Simon Ngige made the cut for the third round as Frenchman Adrien Saddier had an impressive display carding 9 under par to top the leader-board 12 under overall.

Finland’s Oliver Lindell stole the limelight earlier in the morning with a hole-in-one at the 13th hole to win a Ksh6.9m Ford Ranger. The 18-year-old also progressed to the third round carding 6 under.

His counterpart Kalle Samooja was forced to slide second on 11 under after firing a five under 66 following Saddier’s stunning day two display.

Indiza asked his followers to keep distance from him at the course when he attempts to chase for the crown

“I had a brilliant start and was confident I’d do better today. I’m looking forward to an even better outing tomorrow. I’m planning on improving my patting since my chipping was okay.

“The course in wonderful to play on but the game is never easy. I just want to try and ensure I keep this momentum going after the sluggish start,” Indiza told Citizen Digital.

Indiza who played a 1 over round on day 1 was in impressive form, hitting three back to back birdies in holes 2, 3 and amp 4 then another back to back in the 17th and 18th in the back nine to finish 5 under which placed him tied 24th on the leader board.

Ngige, the top Kenyan at the end of round one, dropped off the pace playing a round of 2 over on day 2 but managed to make the cut off his impressive four under in round 1.

Ngige finished tied for 43rd with Charania of Windsor Golf club who kicked off the day with an albatross on the 10th hole ending with identical rounds of 1 under in the same position.

Round three action starts at 7:50am with the field of 65 all teeing off from the Muthaiga number 1.

Indiza will tee off at 11:10am with Riz teeing off at 9:30am, 20 minutes after Ngige who gets underway at 9:10 am.

NB: All times indicated are in local time (+GMT).

-Report by Mwangi Githinji.