Kenya Railways player John Lejirma fired one over par 217 to retain the Nandi Open Shield golf title that came to an end today at the par 72 Nandi Bears Golf club.
The Hippo pot champion sunk four over par 76 in the third and final round to claim the title he won last year beating Golf Park’s Amos Odongo and home player Elly Barno in the 54 hole three day tournament.
Lejirma took a joint lead in round on Friday with level par alongside Barno and odongo before taking the lead in round two with -3 69 with a shot better than Odongo and three against Barno.
“It was not easy to defend my title but I had to calm and play without pressuer to deliver,” said Lejirma.
“I had a bad start in the first nine four bogeys, five pars and a birdie but I managed to handle the situation in the second nine with a two club in 16th, with six pars and dropping two shots, which was good for the title retention,” added Lejirma.
Odongo completed the tournament with two over par 218 after tying with Lejirma in the final round at +4 76 while Barno, who was seeking his maiden win in the series completed with +3 219 despite having the second lowest score of one over par 73 in the last day.
Ugandan Godfrey Nsubuga who was the lowest scorer in the last round at one under par 71 was 4th with +6 222.
Finals round leader board
- John Lejirma (Kenya Railways) 72, 69, 76= 217
- Amos Odongo (Golf Park) 72, 70, 76= 218
- Elly Barno (Nandi Bears) 72, 74, 73
- Godfrey Nsubuga (Mehta-UGA) 73, 78,71= 222
- Michael Karanga (Kiambu) 76, 72, 79= 225
T6. Goeffrey Karioki (Kisii) 78, 76,76=230
T6. Josephat Rono (Golf Park) 77, 72, 81=230
T6. Ebill Omollo (Vet Lab) 75, 77, 78=230
T10. Faith Chemutai (Nandi Bears) 77, 79,78=234
T10. Kevin Juma (Royal) 75, 79, 80= 234