Njoroge targets top five finish in Nyali

Railways' professional golfer Samuel Njoroge has set a modest target of making it to the top five at this weekend's Safari Tour fourth leg set for Nyali Golf & Country Club from 16 to 20 October. 

The golfer who turned pro last year had a good outing in the leg held at the Great Rift Valley for a second place finish, his best placing so far in the 2021/22 season of the Tour, after carding four rounds of 70, 75, 69 and 75 for a combined score of four over-par 288. 

"A second-place finish in Naivasha gives me confidence ahead of the Nyali leg to maintain that momentum and aim for a top-five finish. The last Tour I made cut here in Mombasa but finished 17th and I want to improve on that. 

I arrived in Mombasa on Friday, 15 Octover and that gives me a day to get used to the weather before playing in the Pro-Am on Saturday which will give me a feel of the course. I am confident in my swing and my putting and feel well prepared for a good score here," offered Njoroge in an interview. 

At the Tour-opening Sigona leg, the Railways pro finished in fourth place with a combined score of three under-par 285 after rounds of 71, 76, 67 and a final round score of 71. The round, won by junior golfer Taimur Malik had to be decided in a three-man playoff after the youngster, Mohit Mediratta and Edwin Mudanyi all tied on four under par 284 at the end of regular play. 

At VetLab, the second leg of the Tour that acts as the qualifier to the Magical Kenya Open which is part of the European Tour, Njoroge missed cut after two rounds of 74 and 79 to miss out on the money bracket as well as points that vount towards the Kenya Open qualification. 

"I was just unlucky at VetLab. I tried my level best to play a better second round after the 74 on the first day but my swing wasn't right and I ended up missing cut. I recollected my self for a better show in Naivasha and, as I said, I look forward to taking the same momentum on the course in Mombasa," added Njoroge. 

The golfers were set to have a two-day break down at the coast after the Nyali leg before getting back in action on 23 to 27 October for the fifth leg set for Leisure Lodge Beach and Golf Resort which has since been postponed.

The organisers had not scheduled any local action after the Mombasa double-header, until next year, but the golfers could still be in action as some of the legs played out of the country could be scheduled with that time. 

"Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are forced to cancel the event planned for Leisure Lodge Beach and Golf Resort. We were very keen to keep the momentum going but are currently unable to organise the event to the level that our members are now accustomed to.

It is the desire of the Tour to have events in more courses across the country and we hope that we shall be able to have the event later in the season," a statement by Patrick Obath, the Tournament Director of the Kenya Open Golf Limited read.

The next event on the calendar is set for Limuru Country Club on 22 to 26 January 2022 paving way for back-to- back legs on Karen and Muthaiga in February.