John Lejirma has one step in the battle to retain the Nandi Open Shield title, the Kenya Amateur Golf championships (KAGC) series at the par 72 Nandi Bears Golf club.
After a joint lead on Friday’s round one, the KAGC champion fired three under par 69 to take one shot lead today ahead of tomorrow’s third and final round in the 54-hole tournament.
Coming from Kenya Railways, Lejirma fired a total of -3 141 with Golf Park’s Amos Odongo taking the second position at -2 142 with Nandi’s Elly Barno coming third with +2 146.
In the second round of the event, Odongo sank two under par 70 while Barno, enjoying home advantage, managed to sink two over par 74.
In the opening nine, Lejirma, who is one foot into defending the meeting title, fired three birdies I, 2 and 8 with pars 4, 5, 6 and 9 with a bogey in 3rd for a total of one under par 35.
He returned well in the second nine other two balls in 12th, 16th and 18th with pars 10th, 11th 13thm 14th and 17 and dropping a shot in 15th for two under par 34 to culminate the penultimate round with three under par 69.
Odongo fired eight birdies, 6 pars, three bogeys and one double bogey while Barno sank three birdies, 10 pars, five bogeys to take the third ahead of Sunday’s final round.
The trio will be facing off in the pressure group come the final round with the winner pocketing kshs 96,000.
Lejirma said that he will be happy if he will defend his title but he is weary of other coming players like series leader Micheal Karanga, Odongo and Barno among others who can surprise anyone.
“Come tomorrow, every shot counts. Of course I will be happy to defend my title. I will stick to my game plan so that I don’t deviate off the lane,” said Lejirma.
Round two leaderboard
1. John Lejirma (Kenya Railways) 72, 69= 141
2. Amos Odongo (Golf Park) 72, 70= 142
3. Elly Barno (Nandi Bears) 72, 74= 146
4. Michael Karanga (Kiambu) 76, 72= 148
5. Josephat Rono (Golf Park) 77, 72=149
6. John Michael (Golf Park) 81, 69=150
T7. John Koina (Muthaiga) 76, 75=151
T7. Godfrey nsubuga (Mehta-UGA) 73, 78= 151
9. Ebill Omollo (Vet Lab) 75, 77= 152