Three players, Elly Barno, John Lejirma and Amos Odongo have taken a one shot lead at the Nandi Shield Open golf tournament, the Kenya Amateur Golf Championships (KAGC) meeting at the par 72 Nandi Bears Golf club.
The three fired level par to take a one shot advantage against Ugandan Godfrey Nsubuga, the Tea Field champion with one over par 73 in round one of the three day tournament.
Attracting about 60 players, the 54 hole tournament, an improvement from last year’s 36 has been competitive with the hilly course proving to be tough.
Home player Barno, tournament defending champion Lejirma and Odongo will enter into the Saturday roud with a shot extra ahead of Sunday final.
Barno said that he wants to maintain the momentum and come out as a winner come Sunday following his good preparations.
“I want to maintain that top position in the second round as I want to record my maiden victory in the series at home,” said Barno.
He added that he wants to improve on his first time scores that have been a challenge to his good scores.
“I had bad scores in the first nine when I scored six over but came back in the second nine to deliver well. If I can improve on it, then I will have less resistance on the course,” said Barno.
Round one leaderboard
T1. Elly Barno (Nandi Bears) 72
T1. Amos Odongo (Golf Park) 72
T1. John Lejirma (Kenya Railways) 72
4. godfrey Nsubuga (Mehta-UGA) 73
T5. Ebill Omollo (Vetlab) 75
T5. Kevin juma (Royal) 75
T5. Nelson Koech (Nandi Bears) 75
T5. Aron Kitur (Eldoret) 75
T9. John Koina (Muthaiga) 76
T9. Michael Karanga (Kiambu) 76