Royal Nairobi Golf Club’s elite amateur, John Lejirma, extended his lead on day two of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing at Ruiru Sports Club, carding a composed 3-under-par 69.
His two-day total of 9-under-par 135 puts him five strokes ahead of his nearest challenger as he heads into the final round.
Lejirma played a cautious front nine, mixing a bogey on the 8th with a birdie on the 9th to make the turn at level-par.
On the back nine, he was flawless — rolling in birdies on the 10th, 13th, and 17th to sign off with 33 and a total of 69 for the day.
“I’m happy to be in this position going into the final round. I kept things tidy today, stuck to the game plan, and didn’t force anything,” said Lejirma.
“I was solid off the tee and made key putts when I needed to. The course played well, and I’m looking forward to finishing strong tomorrow.”
Veteran Dismas Indiza of Kakamega Sports Club moved into solo second after also carding a 3-under 69, taking his total to 4-under-par 140.
Starting from the 10th tee alongside Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera and Ndumberi’s Michael Karanga, Indiza played a bogey-free back nine, picking up a birdie at the 11th.
On the front nine, he opened with back-to-back birdies on the 1st and 2nd, dropped a shot at the 4th, and bounced back with another birdie at the 9th.
“Today was a good day. I’ve been striking the ball well all week and minimized mistakes. I stayed patient and capitalized on my chances. Tomorrow is about staying sharp and giving it my all,” said Indiza.
Just one shot behind Indiza is Samuel Njoroge of Railway Golf Club, who carded a strong 3-under-par 69 to move into third.
After a level-par 72 on day one, Njoroge posted birdies on the 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 10th, and 18th, with bogeys on the 13th and 15th.
“I’m pleased with how I played. I gave myself more opportunities today and converted key putts, especially on the front nine. The back nine was a bit up and down, but I finished strong. I’m ready for the final round,” he said.
Tanzania’s Nuru Mollel joins the tie for third after a confident 2-under-par 70.
Mollel picked up birdies on the 6th, 8th, 11th, and 13th, with dropped shots on the 2nd and 17th.
In fifth is Njoroge Kibugu of Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club, who returned a 1-under-par 71 for a 2-under-par total.
Kibugu, who the champion of the Thika Greens leg of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing, recovered from an early bogey at the 1st with birdies on the 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 9th at Ruiru.
He added further gains on the 10th, 13th, 14th, and 16th, but bogeys on the 3rd and 18th dented an otherwise impressive round.
Rounding out the top six is rising amateur Elvis Muigua of Ndumberi Golf Club, who also carded a 1-under 71.
Muigua posted birdies on the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 14th, with his only bogey of the day coming at the 6th.
Amateurs Muigua, Michael Karanga, and Naom Wafula were the only other players to return level-par or better after two rounds.
Karanga, who shot 2-under in round one, slipped with a 2-over 74 but remains in the mix.
Naom Wafula, of Vipingo Ridge, impressed with an even-par 72, carding birdies at the 2nd and 6th, and a lone bogey at the 5th.
She remains the leading lady and one of the top-ranked amateurs in the field.
At the close of round two, 30 players made the cut at 6-over-par or better and will proceed to tomorrow’s final round.
The tournament features a KES 2 million prize fund, with KES 400,000 set aside for the winner.
Final round action tees off Wednesday morning at Ruiru Sports Club, with the race for the title and crucial Sunshine Development Tour points still wide open.
