Otile struggles as Kenya's Njogu leads as the Uganda Open starts

 

 

If the first round results are anything to go by, the Kenyans have this time walked the talk by posting the best scores in the first round, and have seven of their golfers among the top ten after the first of four rounds.

 

Simon Njogu, a member of the Kenya national team shot a three-under-par 69 to take an early lead and is two and four strokes ahead of countrymen; Peter Mwangi and Samuel Njoroge respectively.

 

"I had an awesome round and the weather was good. Today, I told myself to remove the fear of the water and to remove the fear of the bunkers. And the best thing for me today, I was chipping very well, driving good and putting very nicely," Njogu said.

 

"Tomorrow, I will just try to maintain the same, I don't want to put myself under pressure and I will aim for pars because I believe if I do that, I will be good to go," Njogu reasoned.

 

After playing 30 strokes over par on the first day, Vetlab Golf Club's Carl Wambasi Makhoka is mathematically out of contention but believes one of his countrymen will take this year's open.

 

"This is the worst round I have ever played in my life. I started very badly because I was really challenged by the different water hazards, because I always ended in the water even when I aimed for the fairway but that is golf for you; but it's a game of ups and downs but the next few days I hope to recover and play better rounds," Makhoka said.

 Uganda's John Basabose tees-off during the first round of the open at Serena. PHOTO: Michael Nsubuga

"The Kenyan team this time has come with a lot of venom and expectations are high. We know we are winning; it's a question of by how many strokes. We are sure we are taking it and it is going to be much fun winning it on a new course like this; so the victory is going to be sweeter,"

 

With the Kenyans on top, defending champion Ronald Otile will have to dig deep once again if he is to retain the title.

 

Otile's first round ten-over -par 82 did not do him any favours and finds himself 13 strokes behind the leader, Njogu, going into the second round of the 72-hole competition that ends on Saturday. But he is confident of making amends in the subsequent rounds.

 

"My opening round wasn't so good. I struggled a little bit on the back nine and couldn't putt well. The pin positions were tough for me and I three-putted all the way; my putting let me down," Otile stated.

 

"But it is the beginning. I have played ten over; I can play ten-under. We have three more rounds to go and tomorrow will be better," Otile vowed.

 

Samuel Njoroge, another Kenyan who has been a regular competitor in the open is also fancying his chances in this year's event.

 

"My game was good. The course is playing well and I'm so happy with my round today and I hope for the best in the remaining rounds though windy conditions and the big greens were a bit of a challenge. Tomorrow I'm playing in the afternoon and I hope to maintain my scoring because we want to win it this year," Njoroge said.

 

"It is my first time on this new course; I love the course and my game today was good despite starting roughly with bogeys on the first six holes. I finished plus-three which is not too bad, hopefully, tomorrow should be good," Daniel Nduva added.

 

"This year we have come in strong and we hope to beat these guys. One of our own is leading so hopefull we can keep there and take it back home. The course is good, the greens are fantastic; we didn't have a lot of wind today so I hope it stays the same,"

 

Uganda's Rodell Gaita, Ashiraf Bagalana, John Basabose, and Tanzania's Victor Joseph, follow the Kenyan cast, six strokes away.

 

"My round was good I played three over, and better on the back nine. The greens were more challenging for me because they are relatively fast with sharp edges, and some are slanting but tomorrow I can play well. I will be relaxed and hope to play better," Gaita said