Malik credits putting for victory in Nyeri

Muthaiga Golf club’s Taimur Malik was crowned champion at the 71st edition of the Mount Kenya Championship at par 72 Nyeri Golf Club’s course.

Playing off handicap -2.8, the youngster beat stiff competition from among others Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) defending champion John Lejirma and Kakamega winner Elvis Muigua to pick maximum points for the leg in the series.

Malik finished regular play tied on one under par 215 with Lejirma after three rounds and 54 holes of action sending the leg into a decider playoff between the two, the 20-year-old emerging victorious.

“I hit the ball well all three days and also kept the ball in play which is very important around this course. It is a short and tight course but I am used to such conditions in my home course.

I had tough competition from Lejirma and Elvis and it was fun to play with them in the final round. The difference on the final day from the other two was that I held a couple more putts.

I still missed a lot of putts but it was better than the first two rounds and that helped me catch the ground on Lejirma leading to the playoffs,” Malik offered.

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The event has historically been held every first weekend of February every year, however, this year it could not be held due to unfavorable dry course condition which resulted to its postponement.

The three-day KAGC and WAGR ranking event had a field of 80 golfers battling out for the prestigious title and a cash prize of Ksh. 400,000 sponsored jointly by NCBA Bank and Communications Authority of Kenya.

After two rounds of action, the top 36 and ties made cut to the final round.

Last weekend in Kakamega, Muigua carded a total of six over par 222 in the three rounds at the par 72 course to take top honours ahead of Nandi Bears’ Elly Barno and Godfrey Nsubuga who finished six shots behind the stellar performance of Muigua

The series will be in Limuru country club next for the annual Limuru Open and the Brackenhurst Trophy