NAIROBI, Kenya, February 14- HP Bacher raced out of the blocks at the Barclays Kenya Open as a five under par round of 66 handed him the clubhouse lead midway through the opening day at Karen Country Club, in Nairobi on Wednesday.
Long hitting Dismas Indiza was the top Kenyan on the leader board with a two under par effort in the par 71 course to be tied for ninth that is hosting the European Challenge Tour event.
Anil Shah, Nelson Mudanyi and David Odhiambo posted level par scores to maintain their interest in making the cut during the opening day at a sunny course.
With 30,400 Euros at stake for the eventual winner, the Austrian Bacher almost negotiated the opening three holes in four under par as a birdie putt at the first hole just slid past the cup before he chipped in from 35 feet for an eagle at the second and carded a birdie at the third.
A bogey at the ninth hole meant he reached the turn in two under but a birdie at the par four 11th followed by birdies at the back nine’s two par fives, the 15th and 18th, gave him the lead.
“The chip-in really got me going,” said Bacher. “It was great because I imagined the shot and it went exactly as I imagined it so that was really nice.
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“I had some good chances at the turn but didn’t take advantage of them and then made a three putt from the front of the green at the ninth.
“I’m really happy with my round and I can see that my game is getting better and better. I just played really well and it was fun out there.”
Tom Murray of England, Spain’s Adrian Otaegui and Raymond Russell of Scotland were all tied for second place on four under.
