This archive report was first published on 24 October 2019.
On Thursday, the 2019 Kenya Open Amateur Strokeplay Golf Championship got underway at the Thika Greens Golf Resort. The par 72 course saw defending champion Samuel Njoroge shoot a 70, tying him for the lead with Ebill Omollo of Vet Lab Sports Club and Anthony Irungu of Muthaiga.
The trio's impressive performance was marked by a mix of birdies and bogeys, with each of them leading by two shots from Taimur Malik of Muthaiga and Peter Rimui of Thika Sports Club. Malik and Rimui both shot a level par 72, keeping them in close contact with the leaders.
Another group of three players, including Tanzania champion Victor Joseph, Leo Zurovac from Vet Lab Sports Club, and Simon Njogu of the Great Rift Valley Golf Resort, tied on one over par 73. Njoroge Kibugu of Muthaiga led a group of six players on two over par 74, which also included Ugandans Jasika Emmanuel and Joseph Chinywaai, as well as Jay Sandhu of Royal Nairobi.
The second and third rounds of the 72-hole event are set for Friday morning and afternoon, with the final round to be played on Saturday. The overall winner will earn an automatic entry to the 2020 Magical Kenya Open, scheduled to take place at Karen Country Club from March 12 to 15.
