Lejirma crowned Golfer of the Year after Nyali action

Kenya Railways Golf Club amateur golfer John Lejirma is the 2022 Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) golfer of the year.

The final KAGC leg was hosted at the Nyali Golf & Country Club with Lejirma heading to the leg leading the standing by 14 points as Muthaiga Golf Club's Jay Sandhu provided the competition. 

Needing a big performance in the finale, Lejirma placed second to seal his KAGC top place even though there was no threat to his crown any more as Sandhu missed the finale. 

The Nyali Open leg was won by home golfer Adel Balala. In the first round, Balala returned a score of one over par 72 and followed it up with a four over in the second round for 147 gross that placed him third on the leaderboard going into the final round. 

Lejirma had carded three over par 74 in the first round and played a better second round for one under par and 144 gross to top the leaderboard after two rounds. 

In the final round, Balala returned the best score not only for the day but for the leg, carding four under par 67, a score than saw him beat Lejirma to the Nyali trophy with a 214 gross, four shots better than the golfer of the year winner who carded 74 in the final round. 

Lejirma had already booked his ticket to the Magical Kenya Open set for next year in March after winning the Kenya Amateur Strokeplay Championship that was held in Vipingo Ridge Golf Resort in Kilifi in October. 

Sandhu, despite missing the Nyali leg still managed second place in the overall KAGC rankings while Uganda's Michael Alunga finished the series in third place. 

Dennis Maara, winner of Kenya Amateur Matchplay, and Balala are fourth and fifth respectively.