Malik wins KAGC Nyeri leg title after edging out Lejirma in playoffs

The duo parred in hole one and proceeded to hole two where Lejirma lost after dropping a shot with Malik playing level for the title.

by EMMANUEL SABUNI

News09 July 2023 - 15:37

In Summary

• Malik, who has only played in two events, said the win is a morale booster ahead of the Limuru leg.

• The pair tied on one under par 215, forcing them into the playoffs in normal play.

John Lejirma receives his trophy after winning a past championship

Taimur Malik defeated John Lejirma at the playoffs of the Kenya Amateur Golf Championships KAGC to win his maiden title at the per 73 Nyeri golf club on Sunday.

With the play-offs played in holes one and two, the duo parred in hole one and proceeded to hole two where Lejirma lost after dropping a shot with Malik playing level for the title.

Malik, who has only played in two events, said the win is a morale booster ahead of the Limuru leg.

“I really feel comfortable and enjoy playing away from Nairobi. The live coverage made the event professional,” said Malik.

The pair tied on one under par 215, forcing them into the playoffs in normal play.

In round one, Lejirma fired two over par 74, followed by four under par 68 and concluded round three with one over par 73.

Malik on his part, had one over 73 in round one with identical one under in round two and three for the tie.

In the third and last round, Malik started on a bad note. He managed a bogey with successful five pars with a birdie in 7th, dropping one in 8th and 9th for two over par 38.

Lejirma had pars in 1, 3, 7 and 9 with birdies in 2nd, 4th and 6th and a bogey in 8th for level par 36.

At the second nine, the junior Malik started off with a birdie in 10th, 12th and 16th with pars in 11th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 17th and 18th for three under as Lejirma fired in a single birdie in 15th with pars in 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 16th and 18th. He dropped a shot in 10th and 17th for one over 37.

The duo edged out round one leader and Goldfields Trophy champion Elvis Muigua who had tied in round two with Lejirma on two under par 142.

Round three and final leader-board