Wanzala eyeing a share of sh852m in Kenya Open

Mar 23, 2017

The Ugandan is among 15 debutants who are making their maiden appearance in the lucrative annual tournament.

(Credit: Michael Nsubuga)

Uganda professional golfer Fred Wanzala (pictured) is in Kenya to compete in the Kenya Open that tees off today (Thursday) at the Muthaiga Golf Club.

Wanzala, who tees off at noon alongside Italian Nicolo Ravano, and Spanish golfer Scott Fernandez is  among a total field of 156 golfers from across the globe that are battling for a share of 220,000 euros (sh852m) prize money.

He is among 15 debutants who are making their maiden appearance in the lucrative annual tournament where other Ugandans; Deo Akope, Herman Mutaawe, Vincent Byamukama and Denis Anguyo have all failed to make the cut before.

The tournament attracts winners of regular European Challenge Tour Ranking Tournaments and Challenge Tour Invitations tournaments as well as golfers from the South African Sunshine Tour.

Last year's winner, Sebastian Soderberg (Sweden), is also hoping to draw on the positive memories of last year's victory at Karen Golf Club to become the first European Challenge Tour player to retain the title.

As many as 28 countries are represented at the championship where the top 60 and ties will make the cut after the first two of four rounds at the par 71, 18-hole championship course.

The 2017 Barclays Kenya Open will be the 25th time the tournament has been part of the Challenge Tour's schedule, making it the second-longest-running event on the Road to Oman.

 

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