Dismas Indiza in action at Kenya Open. He has extended his lead by three strokes as the Nyanza leg of the KCB Pro-Am Tour enters penultimate stage
KISUMU, June 11 – Mumias resident professional Dismas Indiza, extended his lead by three shots as the third round of the KCB Golf Tour entered its penultimate stage at the par 70 Nyanza Golf Club.
Indiza played a round of one over par 71 for a gross total of five under par 205.
The long-hitting pro sunk in two birdies in the first nine but candidly admitted he found the course conditions tough.
He however managed two straight birdies on holes 10 and 11 but regretted the double bogey picked up on the par 4 hole 12.
Joint second are Thika Sports club’s Simon Ngige and David Wakhu of Royal who both tie on two under par 208.
Wakhu sunk in five birdies on holes 6, 10, 11, 14 and 15 but dropped shots on holes 13, 16 and 17.
Ngige on the other hand persevered the pain inflamed by his right wrist but racked up a total of four birdies on the 3rd, 10th, 15th and 18th holes.
Like Indiza, Ngige was also left to rue a double bogey on the par 3 hole 8.
“The greens were really hard which made my putting really tough. My chipping was also affected by course conditions but I hope it rains overnight which I believe will soften the greens,” said Indiza.
Wakhu posted the best score yesterday when he fired one under par 69 but regretted goofing the last three holes.
“I was two under going into the last three holes but dropped shots on the 16th and 17th holes before parring the 18th hole,” said Wakhu.
Wakhu however enjoyed the company of Riz Charania and Nelson Mudanyi.
“Riz was really formidable in the first nine. He sunk in four birdies but failed to uphold the tempo in the second nine,” added Wakhu.
Ngige was flabbergasted by his score despite an injury he sustain while practicing on the Thika range last Saturday.
“I’m surprised by my results so far. I didn’t know I would be able to play after the first round. I have found it really hard to hit iron shots. The course was not in good condition at all. The greens were really hard and fairways had overgrown grass,” said Ngige.
Day one leader Charania moved up from fifth to fourth position on Day 3 with a round of one over par 71.
“I missed a few greens, my chipping and putting wasn’t great on day two. I really tried to improve the score but the conditions weren’t very favourable,” Charania stated.
Boniface Simwa is lying fifth on three over par 213 gross whilst Muthaiga pro Frank Matilo is sixth on four over par 214 gross.
Professionals Golfers of Kenya Captain John Wangai settled for seventh on five over par 215.
“The hardness of the greens made putting really difficult. The fairways are really big and if land the ball there you actually lose out,” Wangai said.
Nelson Mudanyi was the biggest loser dropping from second to ninth after posting a disappointing round of nine over par 79.
The overall winner will receive Sh195,000.
The fourth round of the tour will be held at Nakuru Golf Club from July 7-19.
Leader Board
1. Dismas Indiza (Mumias) 68, 66, 71 (205) -5
2. Simon Ngige (Thika SC) 69, 69, 70 (208) -2
3. David Wakhu 74, 65, 69 (208) -2
4. Riz Charania (Windsor) 67, 73, 71 (211) +1
5. Boniface Simwa (Eldoret) 69, 72, 72 (213) +3
6. Frank Matilo (Muthaiga) 68, 72, 74 (214)+4
7. Bryan Njoroge (Vet Lab) 68, 74, 73 (215) +5
7=CJ Wangai (Sigona) 71, 70, 74 (215) +5
9. Nelson Mudanyi (Muthaiga) 72,65, 74 (216) +6
10. David Opati (Windsor) 71, 73, 73 (217) +7
11. JW Karanja 71, 70, 76 (217) +7
12. Eric Ooko (Royal NGC) 76, 70, 73 (219) +9
