Golf Park Golf Club professional Eric Ooko tees off the first at the Nyali Golf & Country Club on Tuesday/HANDOUT
Golf Park Golf Club professional Eric Ooko fired a composed three-under-par 68 to seize the clubhouse lead after the opening round of the Absa Invitational at Nyali Golf and Country Club in Mombasa on Tuesday.
The tournament, the fourth leg of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing, attracted a strong field of 80 golfers from nine countries battling for a share of the Sh2 million prize purse, Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points and Sunshine Development Tour Order of Merit points.
Ooko made a blistering start, birdieing the first, second, fifth and eighth holes while dropping his only shot on the outward nine at the third to turn at four-under 33.
He picked up further birdies on the 11th and 17th but bogeys on the 13th and 16th saw him sign for a three-under-par 68, enough to earn a one-shot lead heading into Wednesday’s second round.
Reflecting on his performance, Ooko attributed his strong start to patience and accurate ball striking. “It’s always good to start a tournament with a solid round. I stayed patient, gave myself plenty of birdie opportunities and managed the course well. There are still two rounds to play, so the focus is to remain consistent and keep doing the basics well,” said Ooko.
Three players share second place on two-under-par 69—Nigeria’s Ideriah Solomon, Sigona Golf Club’s Mohit Mediratta and Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera.
Making his first appearance near the top of the leaderboard this season, Solomon expressed satisfaction with his opening round. “I’m pleased with the start. The conditions were good, and I managed to stay disciplined throughout the round. Hopefully I can build on this over the next two days,” he said.
Mediratta, who has maintained impressive form following his strong showing at the Kabete Challenge, was equally encouraged despite feeling he left a few shots on the course.
“I struck the ball well and gave myself chances. There are a few putts I would have liked to make, but overall, it’s a positive opening round, and I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead,” he noted.
A further shot behind on one-under-par 70 is an eight-man group comprising Kenya’s Abraham Galgalo, Taimur Malik, David Wakhu, Greg Snow, Michael Karanga and elite amateur Adel Balala, alongside Nigeria’s Sunday Olapade and Uganda’s Phillip Kasozi.
The race is expected to intensify in Wednesday’s second round, with players battling not only for the tournament lead but also for a place in Thursday’s final round.
At the end of Wednesday’s play, only the top 30 players and ties will progress beyond the cut to contest the title, the Sh2 million prize fund and valuable ranking points.
