Home player Philip Shiharsy fired two under par 71 to take a one shot lead against national captain John lejirma and Chris Andreas at round one of the Trans Nzoia Open, the Kenya Amateur Golf Championships (KAGC) series at the par 73 Kitale Golf club on Friday evening.
Playing under morning showers of rain, Shiharsy fired two birdies in the opening hole par five and hole ten par five with all pars in each nine to take the lead ahead of Saturday’s second round with Sunday’s third and final round.
He said that the course was very challenging due the rains wants to recover for Saturday and Sunday for his maiden victory at home.
“The first round was so difficult due to rain but as golfers we had to struggle and get good points. This is my home club and taking the lead means a lot ahead of the remaining rounds,” said Shiharsy.
He added that he had challenges especially with putting due to the morning dew and showers.
“Imagine playing on a wet course, it gives a lot of challenges unlike playing in the afternoon. I had challenges in putting because the greens were challenging due to the wet weather unlike in the afternoon,” he said, adding that he expects to recover well Saturday and Sunday to play either level or under pars.
Lejirma from Kenya Railways tied up with Ruiru’s Chris Andreas on one under par 72 in round one.
Lejirma had a good start in the opening nine with two under par 35 following his birdies in 1, 5 and 6with all pars except a bogey in 9th but he flopped in second nine when he sunk one over par 37 with a birdie in 14th, dropping a shot in 13th and 15th with all pars.
Andreas started off with three birdies in 1, 4th and 5th, a bogey in 9th and all pars for -2 35 in the opening round and in the second nine, he managed two birdies in 15th and 17th, dropping one in 14th, 14th and 18th and all pars for level par 37.
Round one leaderboard
1. Philip Shiharsy (Kitale) 71
T2. John Lejirma (Kenya Railways) 72
T2. Chris Andreas (Ruiru) 72
T4. Elly Barno (Nandi) 73
T4. Willam Odeck (Nyali) 73
6. John Koina (Muthaiga) 75
T7. Isaac Makokha (Vetlab) 76
T7. Ebill Omollo (Vet Lab) 76
T7. Steve Orinda (Kitale) 76