L. MathekaSandhu skips Nyeri tourney for Safari experience
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 06.02.21. | 07:29
The 39-year old is preparing to play at the upcoming Magical Kenya Open which is a European Tour event
Royal Nairobi top amateur Jay Sandhu has given the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series’ second leg a wide berth in favour of the eighth leg of the Safari Tour set to tee off on Sunday, February 7 at Muthaiga Golf course.
KAGC’s second leg event, the Mt. Kenya Championship, will be played on February 6 and 7 at the Nyeri Golf Club. In the series-opening Sigona Bowl, Sandhu played a dismal second round to return a nine over par 81 and four over par in the final round for 229 gross to rank fourth. He had led after the first round at level par.
“I have chosen to play at Muthaiga and in the final leg of the Tour at Karen Country Club as part of my preparations for the Magical Kenya Open. The two events are giving me the conditions I need to prepare ahead of the Open as opposed to the course in Nyeri which is not up to championship standard,” said Sandhu.
The 39-year-old booked a slot to the Open set to tee off on March 18 after beating a field of 95 golfers, to lift the StrokePlay trophy played at his home course at Royal. He had first missed the chance to qualify after coming in second to Isaac Makhoha at the MatchPlay championship played at Vet Lab.
“I have been practicing a lot at Royal and my game is steadily improving. I am also working on my fitness and stamina ahead of the Open. My putting needs a bit of work and I will be unstoppable at the Open. The rest of my game is good. Playing at Muthaiga and Karen gives me the perfect chance to work on my putting since the greens are in the right condition; fast,” added the Royal golfer.
As for his performance at Sigona where he failed to maintain top place and even played a round of nine over in the second round, Sandhu blames it on slow greens and his putting.
“I was playing well off the tee and on the fairways but I missed a lot of pars due to my putting. The problem was bad on Saturday morning even as I played par but it got worse in the second round played in the afternoon. I tried to play better in the final round but I still struggled with putting. I wish the organisers had made the greens at Sigona faster, I would have played better,” Sandhu offered.
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