Royal Nairobi Golf Club’s John Lejirma stormed into the lead after an impressive 6-under-par 66 in the opening round of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing at Ruiru Sports Club.
Lejirma delivered a composed performance on the front nine, carding birdies on the 2nd, 8th, and 9th holes, with a single bogey at the par-3 6th.
He maintained momentum on the back nine, picking up further birdies on the 10th, 13th, 14th, 17th, and 18th.
Despite a dropped shot on the 12th, he ended the day with a commanding four-shot lead over fellow elite amateur Michael Karanga of Ndumberi Golf Club.
“I’m happy to be back for the second leg of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing,” said Lejirma.
“I’m really pleased with how I held it together. The front nine was smooth—my putting was hot and I gave myself good chances. The back nine was a bit slower, but I regrouped and finished strong.”
Lejirma, who is also Team Kenya Captain, said he has picked many lessons by participating in the Sunshine Development – East Africa Swing Tour.
“I’ve taken lessons from the last two events. I came second in the first leg, fourth in the second, and each tournament is a lesson, and I’m here to keep building and get better.”
Karanga sits second after posting a solid 2-under-par 70.
He birdied the 8th and 9th on the front nine for a 34, added another birdie on the 13th, and held par on the rest except for a bogey on the 18th.
Tied for third on 1-under-par 71 are veteran Dismas Indiza (Kakamega Golf Club) and Windsor’s Njoroge Kibugu.
Indiza bounced back from an early bogey on the 1st with birdies on the 3rd, 8th, and 9th.
He added two more on the 13th and 18th, but bogeys on the 10th and 16th kept him from climbing higher.
“The course is playing well. There are scoring opportunities, and I’ll be looking to tighten a few aspects of my game for Round Two,” said Indiza.
Kibugu, winner of the Thika Greens leg, had a mixed round with birdies on the 6th, 9th, 10th, and 11th, but gave back strokes on the 3rd, 7th, 15th, and 16th.
Still, he remains in contention ahead of moving day.
A large group of players finished the day tied for fifth on level par (72).
The group included Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera, Ken Abuto, Abraham Ainamani, Isaac Makokha, Elvis Muigua, Samuel Njoroge, Rafael Leming’ani, and Nuru Mollel.
Among the standout performers in the women’s field was Naomi Wafula of Vipingo Ridge, who posted a promising 1-over par 73 to emerge as the top-ranked lady after round one.
Wafula had a strong start with birdies on the 2nd, 5th, and 9th holes, but a triple bogey on the par-4 7th set her back on the front nine.
On the back nine, she bounced back with birdies on the 13th, 14th, and 17th, offset by bogeys on the 12th and 18th.
“After round one today, I’m happy with how I played,” Wafula said.
“Despite a triple bogey on one hole seven, I managed to fight back and finish strong. That gave me confidence heading into tomorrow. I know I can shoot under par, and I’m going to work on a few things this evening to get ready for the second round.”
The day also witnessed a historic moment as Muthaiga Golf Club’s Eugine Wafula recorded the first-ever hole-in-one at a Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing event, acing the 11th hole.
Round Two action tees off tomorrow at Ruiru Sports Club, with players eyeing a spot in the top 30 to make the cut for Wednesday’s final round, where a KES 2 million prize fund is up for grabs.
