NAIROBI, Kenya, May 17- Thika’s Simon Ngige maintained charge at the ongoing KCB East Africa Golf Tour at the par 72 Royal Nairobi Golf Club when he shot five under on the second day to move to 12 under par 132 and carry a nine shot advantage over his closest rival.
The frontrunner who has endured mixed fortunes in previous rounds of the series pledged steadily as he seeks to seal the victory in the remaining rounds on Friday and Saturday.
“But I will not panic because I have previously taken the lead from the first day to the last, so it is not new and I cannot afford to be aggressive in the remaining 36 holes,” he contended.
“Today my driver was poor, but my putting remains good, in fact I had 29 putts today,” Ngugi added.
In Thursday’s play, he opened strongly with a birdie on the par five second hole, then picked four straight birdies on the par four fifth, par three sixth, par five seventh and par three eighth, before dropping a shot on the par four ninth for a first nine score of 32.
In the second, he started on a wrong foot with a bogey on the par four 10th, but recovered with birdies on the par five 14th and 15th 35, the same holes he sunk eagles during the first round when he finished on seven under, for 35.
Ngugi finished second in the first leg of the series in his home course, before returning fourth and sixth in the second and third events in Muthaiga and Nyanza.
Mumias pro Dismas Indiza, who won the last event at Nyanza last month, was placed second going into the third round on three under 141.
He played a round of level par 72 on Thursday where he picked birdies on the par five second and par four third before dropping a shot on the par three six for a front nine score of 35.
In the back nine, he started with a bogey on the par four 10th and par three 13th but sunk a birdie on the par three 17th for a score of 37.
Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) chairman Riz Charania who finished the first round second, dropped to third tied with home golfer Anil Shah on two under 142, while Ken Abuto was fifth on level par 144.
LEADERBOARD DAY 2 (TOP 10)
1. Simon Ngige (Thika S. C) 65, 67 (-12) 132
2. Dismas Indiza (Mumias) 69, 72 (-3) 141
3. Anil Shah (Royal Nairobi) 73,69 (-2) 142
3=Riz Charania (Windsor) 68,74 (-2) 142
5. Ken Abuto (Royal Nairobi) 73, 71 (level par) (+1)144
6. Kopan Timbe (Nyali) 69, 76 (+1) 145
6=Richard Ainley (Nakuru) 73,72 (+1) 145
6=Nicholas Rokoine (Muthaiga) 73, 72 (+1) 145
9. John Kagiri 72,74 (+2) 146
10.Ali Kimani (Vet Lab) 69,79 (+4) 148
ROYAL NAIROBI GOLF CLUB
-KCB GOLF TOUR
SATURDAY 19TH MAY, 2012
First Tee:
A.M. 7.36 J. Odhiambo, C. Maranga, C. Ademba, C. Ogalo; 7.44 K. Ishikawa, Y. Mugeni (G), P. Gondi (G), M. Odada; 7.52 Savan Shah (G), Ramesh Shah (G), Dinesh Shah (G), Bina Shah; 8.00 E. Mwazighe (G), J. N. Kyalo (S), C. Karanja (G), T. Kahigu (S); 8.08 I. Otieno (G), P. Orawo, J. Muriithi, P. Sokhi; 8.16 H. S. Sokhi, S. Kirui, H. Khan (G), Z. Miwa; 8.24 S. Lakhani, B. Madhvani, R. Chavda, G. S. Badhan; 8.32 H. Boy, K. Kiragu (G), D. Irari (G), N. Abubakar (S); Tenth Tee A.M. 7.36 D. Mogere, E. Mogere, W. Onyango, N. Ooko; 7.44 Y. Saito, J. Koros (G), B. Wangalwa, R. Kiai (G); 7.52 E. Obuya, J. Mbaru, J. Ichangi, T. Gatiramu; 8.00 S. Bhatt (G), I. Githenji (G), A. Khehar, J. K. Ilako; 8.08 B. S. Sokhi, D. Muthike, N. Kariuki, D. Munge; 8.16 G. K. Muriithi, J. Mbaru, M. Kibuga, S. Ogot; 8.24 M. Muriithi, G. Ngatho (G), R. Kiguru, R. Jagdev; 8.32 B. Theuri, N. Mutune (G), S. Theuri (S), P. Wainaina (G); First Tee P.M. 11.44 Pro, Pro, Sunil Shah (G), Peter Pohland; 11.52 Pro, Pro, G. Maina, R. Nyanchoga;12.00 Pro, Pro, Sawalan Singh (G), N. Matheri;M12.08 Pro, Pro, J. Okuku, B. Handa; 12.16 Pro, Pro, M. Mugambi, V. Kidiwa; 12.24 B. Mwaura, B. Omuodo, W. Kimani, J. Kubo (G); 12.32 Z. Karimi, D. Komen, J. Kiniti, N. Karimi; 12.40 G. Kamau, P. Musyimi (G), E. Guda (G), P. Kanyua (G); 12.48 B. C. Patel, H. Odumbe, F. Mwihia, S. Varma; 12.56 C. Kahura, N. Mandaliya, D. Gaitho, C. Omondi; 13.04 Collins Kaloki (G), N. Mwebesa, Fred Kilonzi (G), R. Tsuma; 13.12 L. Pallan, D S Bhavra, J. Jethwa, A. Yamani; 13.20 D. Mistry, B. Ciera, J. Kogo, J. Syan; 13.28 Dilip Shah, P.E, A. Malik, A. Martyress; 13.36 S. Ganatra, N. S. Bhangra, Vinesh Patel, Amrish Patel; 13.44 R. Rajput, S. D. Shah, H. Kanyua, L. Awiti ; 13.52 J. Wachira, S. Itemere, P.E, Rakesh Patel; Tenth Tee A.M. 11.44 Pro, Pro, P. Mwindi, J. Maina; 11.52 Pro, Pro, D. Muraya, P. Ichangi; 12.00 Pro, Pro, K S Syan, P. Muigai; 12.08 Pro, Pro, M. G. Njue, M. Okeyo; 12.16 J. G. Chege (G), Rohit Shah (G), S. P. Bett (G), K. Wamae (G);12.24 C. Odhiambo (G), Dr. J. Kibosia (G), Bob Karina (G), J. Karina (G); 12.32 M. Wandere, E. Wambua, C. Kibiru, M. Cox; 12.40 J. Juma, T. Njuguna, T. S. Kim, H. Gatiramu; 12.48 O. Aboka, D. Mwamati, C. Birech (G), Haren Patel; 12.56 K. Dodhia, Dipak Patel, C. Barasa, P.E; 13.04 D. Mambo, B. Lakhani, V. Sandhu, R. Mambo; 13.12 M. Akil, C. Solanki, T. L. Chavda, H. S. Bamrah; 13.20 V. Gidoomal, P. Chadha, S. Babra, V. Babra; 13.28 K. Vittal, G. Bhachu, K. S. Devgun, P.E; 13.36 Dr. S. Acharya, Raju Patel (G), H. Chudasama, B. Gohil; 13.44 D. Gudka, Mayur Mulji, P.E, L. Vittal;
