Muthaiga Golf Club professional golfer Greg Snow beat Golf Park’s Eric Ooko and amateur Michael Karanga in a three-hole playoff to claim top honours in the second tournament of the Savanna Golf Tour at the Limuru Country Club yesterday.
At the end of regular play, the three leading golfers were tied at 2-under par 70 at the 18-hole golf club. Snow fended off the challenge from Ooko and Karanga on the third playoff hole, holing a birdie to emerge the tournament’s winner.
Earlier, Snow had carded 37 on the first nine courtesy of successive bogeys on the first and second holes and a birdie on the third – having held par on the rest of the holes. On the back nine, he played blemish-free, holing birdies at the 11th, 13th, and 16th holes for a total of 33.
Commenting on his victory, Snow said: “I played really good today; I had the ball under control and struck it really nice after teeing.
"It is unfortunate that I didn’t make good a few chances I had at some of the holes, but other than that, it was a decent performance.
"The course was in really good condition, and I took advantage of that. I played the play-off with two very good players, and I had to make a very good shot on the last hole to win,” said Snow.
Second-placed Eric Ooko matched Snow’s scores in both the first and second nine, carding 37 and 33 points respectively for a total of 2-under par 70.
He holed birdies on the first, third, 10th, 11th,14th, and 18th holes, but dropped shots on the first, sixth, 13th, 15th, and 16th holes. Ooko blamed his putting for failing to clinch the title.
He said: “I had three-putts today and had a chance of winning this tournament. I shot so many birdies but the bogeys could not allow me to win it.
"I lost on the play-off, which was a little bit unlucky for me, as I lost with a birdie and so I will not complain.
"I understand I need to work harder on my game, having finished second in both opening rounds of the Savanna Tour tournament.
"This is a very good tour and if we keep on playing, we will get a little bit strong heading to the Kenya Open."
Meanwhile, Michael Karanga played a decent first and second nine, carding 36 and 34 respectively for a total of 2-under par 70.
The tournament attracted a total of 58 golfers including 12 amateurs who are battling for the Sh500,000 prize money.
