Balala stun Karanga in sudden-death for Kabete Open victory

Adel Balala stunned the defending champion Michael Karanga in the sudden death play-off to win the Kabete Open title, the Kenya Amateur Golf Championships (KAGC) series at the par 72 Vetlab golf club today.

In the three day tournament, the duo were tied at four over par 220 to force them into play-offs in holes 1^st, 17^th and 18^th with all tying.

In the three hole strokeplay, Nyali’s Balala dropped two shots while Kiambu’s Karanga rolled in a bogey in hole one, on 17^th, Balala had a par with Karanga’s bogey to level into the 18^th hole with all players sinking a par to call for sudden death playoff.

At the sudden death play-off in hole 18^th, they all fired a birdie and returned in the same hole, where the champion rolled in a par to stun Karanga who had a bogey.

In the three day tournament, Balala recorded two under par 70 in both round one and two before dropping to eight over par 80 in the third round today while Karanga had three over 75 in the first round, two over 74 in the second and one under par 71 in the third and final round.

Leader board after final round

1. Adel Balala (Nyali) 70, 70, 80= 220
2. Michael Karanga (Kiambu) 75, 74, 71= 220
3. Joseph Cwinyaai (UGA) 69, 73, 83=225

T4. Josphat Rono (Golf Park) 78, 72, 76= 226

T4. Krish Shah (Vetlab) 77, 75, 74= 226

6. Jean D’Amour (Kigali, RWA) 74, 77, 76= 227

T7. Shashwat Harish (Muthaiga) 79, 75, 74= 228

T7. Isaac Makokha (Vetlab) 76, 76, 76= 228

T9. Micahel Alunga (UGA) 77, 76, 76= 229

T9. James Mwangi (Golf Park) 77, 75, 77= 229

T9. John Lejirma (Kenya Railways) 76, 78, 75=229

T9. Elvis Muigua (Kiambu) 76, 76, 77= 229