Leader John Lejirma faces off with top amateurs at this weekend’s Uhuru Shield at the par 72 Royal Golf club, Nairobi.
The event is part of the ongoing Kenya Amateur Golf Championships (KAGC) series
Lejirma, who defeated defending champion Nelson Koech, to win the second edition of Nandi Shield Open over the weekend, said he was not under pressure as he seeks to defend the title he won last year.
“The win in Nandi has motivated me ahead of the Uhuru Shield title defence. I am aware it won't be easy but I am focused to deliver the same way I did last year,” said Lejirma.
The KAGC penultimate 54-hole tournament will tee off on Friday through Sunday with golfers playing 18 holes each day for the three days as they seek slots to the 2023 Magical Kenya Open at the Karen club.
“I am looking forward to a better play since the majority of these players have been playing together,” added Lejirma, who is part of Team Kenya.
Last year, the Kenya Railways golfer fired four over par 220 for victory after sinking level par on an opening day, followed by two over in the second round, and concluded with another two over par 74 to beat Nakuru’s Jay Sandhu with two shots on 222.
Back in Nandi, Lejirma managed to play level par 144 in the two-day event at the 36-hole tournament over the weekend.
In Round One, he fired four under par 68 to take a three-shot lead against clubmate Joseph Gathumbi with one under par 71 as Golf Park’s Sammy Mulama managed the third position with one over par 71.
The second and final round was where he recorded four over par 76 to emerge victorious.
“It was a bad day for me but since I had played well in Round One, it really helped me to secure victory in a hotly contested tournament,” said Lejirma.
