Malawian pro Paul Chidale shot an impressive round of four under par 68, to grab the first-round lead as 2021/22 Safari Tour Season Four got underway at the par 72 Sigona Golf Club course on Sunday.
Starting from the back nine, Chidale, who has been preparing for the tour over the past four weeks, picked up two birdies at the 10th and 11th, and at the 15th and 17th for a bogey-free four-under-par back nine.
“I had a perfect start from the back nine and I think that contributed to my good performance. The course is in good shape and easy to score if you are able to read the greens well,’’ said Chidale, who is keen to play in all the events in the tour.
He starts Monday’s second round a shot better than new-comer Tafara Mpofu from Zimbabwe, who bogeyed one hole at the front nine, but picked five birdies at the back starting with three back-to-back from the 10th to the 12th, and later at the 15th and 17th with only a bogey coming at the 14th for three under par 69.
Meanwhile, Simon Njogu and home player Mohit Mediratta shot two under par 70 each to tie for third place with Kenya Railway Golf Club’s Alfred Nandwa. Playing his first event as a pro, Njogu, a former national caddies champion and based at the Great Rift Valley Golf Resort in Naivasha, started with a bogey at the first hole.
He, however, eagled the par-five-fourth which triggered three birdies for a three-under-par first nine. Birdies were, however, very elusive for him as he could only make eight pars and a bogey.
Nandwa on the other hand made three birdies, two from the opening nine and one at the back nine.
Mediratta made four birdies and three bogeys to also finish on two under par 70. Samuel Njoroge and Jeff Kubwa were next in the leaderboard with one under par 71 each, just a shot better of senior player Dismas Indiza, who shot level par 72.
In all, 61 players turned up out of the initial entry of 63, who included three amateurs.
Two players, Greg Snow and amateur Zubair Khan did not show up. Snow said he was forced to pull out because of a shoulder injury. The second round, which will determine the top 20 who will proceed to the money list, is set for 9 am.
