MKO: Kibugu maintains underpar score ahead of final round

Muthaiga Golf Club's resident professional golfer Mutahi Kibugu continued his impressive run at the Magical Kenya Open (MKO) on Saturday. 

Starting the third round on three under par 139 after playing for three under and par on the first and second rounds respectively, the 22-year-old returned another level par in the third round to maintain his score.

"That was a grind; Oh my God!" Mutahi exclaimed, as he composed himself ahead of his interview. 

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He played for 37 out in the front nine, dropping shots on the par five fourth and par three fifth but had a birdie at the par four sixth. He played almost blemish-less back nine, with birdies on the 12th and 18th with a dropped shot on the 17th. 

"I got off to a bit of a shaky start. I was up and down in the first and second hole. I did not a very good approach shot in the fourth and fifth and ended up dropping some shots. 

After that I got a bit of rhythm towards the end of the first nine. I picked birdies on sixth and 12 and that gave me some momentum. 

Overall, I wasn't hitting great but my putting and chipping was good and I managed to hold on for par," he offered. 

Mutahi admits to being a bit cheeky and trying his luck with the referee on the 18th after hitting a horrible tee shot that landed next to a sprinkler.

"The lie was horrible so I decided to try my luck. I, however, knew I wasn't going to get a drop. I was able to recover and managed to play for a birdie in the final hole," he explained. 

On the 18th, he had a chance for eagle and an understatement par score for the day. His putt came agonisingly close only to stop at the edge. 

"I was an inch close to an eagle. I really wanted to hole that to finish in red numbers. I felt I deserved that after how hard I have worked today but all in all I am happy with level par for the round," Mutahi concluded.