Njoroge survives as Kenya Open enters last two rounds

Njoroge survives as Kenya Open enters last two rounds

Kenya Railway Golf Club’s Samuel Njoroge will be the only Kenyan battling it against 76 international golfers in the last two rounds of the 2021 Magical Kenya Open at the at the par 71 Karen Country Club course.

Njoroge, who is playing in the Open for the first time as a professional, was the only local who survived the two under par 140 cut as Friday action culminated with Scott Hend of Australia and Finnish Kale Saamoja top on the leaderboard.

Njoroge, shot three under par 68 in the final round, for a total of two under par 140 to be among the 77 players who made cut.

“Today I was taking my time on the ball. I was not in a hurry like yesterday, and it helped me to better my performance. Tomorrow (Saturday) I really want to improve on today’s show, because I’m flying Kenya’s flag and for myself. I will be happy to see progress tomorrow,” said Njoroge.

Another Kenyan Erick Ooko who had started well by firing two under par 69 in the first dropped a number of shots in the second round, eventually finishing on one over par 72 for a total of 141 thus missing the cut by a shot.

David Wakhu, another Kenyan on the course o Friday, was impressive in the second round hitting 67 in the second round, but a poor start in the first round where he shot 75 to finish on 142 same cost him.

With the rest of Kenyans out, their focus now shifts to the Kenya Savannah Classic next week, still at the Karen Country Club.

“I would say that the game plan is still the same, next week it could be the game changer because what I have come to realise about this course  you really need to be very aggressive. When you become very careful from the tee box you end up losing a lot of shots when you make a terrible mistake. I’m looking forward to next week because this was like a stepping stone for me. I hope to do better next week,” said

Days’ highlight

Finland’s Samooja was on the summit of the leaderboard after featuring in the morning during after a brilliant 66, for a two rounds total of 11 under par. A bogey in the last hole however denied him an opportunity to finish the day separate from Hend.

Hend would join hin at the top after picking up four birdies in the front nine, coming over the second, fifth, sixth and ninth. He started the back nine well with birdies on the 10th, 11th, and at the 14th. He went up 12 under after a birdie at the 17th only to bogey the last hole.

The leaderboard 

Scott Hend (Aus) 67, 64= 131

Kalle Samooja (Fin) 65, 66= 131

Dean Burmester (SA) 68, 64= 132

Ritchie Ramsey (Sco) 67, 65= 132

Connor Syme (Sco) 65, 67= 132

Tags:

Karen Country Club David Wakhu kenya open Kale Saamoja Samuel Njoroge Scott Hend

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