Local favourite golfer John Lejirma put on a show at his home course, as he heads into the final round with a commanding four-shot lead on Sunday.
Teeing off at Royal Nairobi Golf Club, Lejirma fired a brilliant 6-under par 66 on Tuesday to seize control of the Johnnie Walker Classic, the sixth leg of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing.
Representing Royal, Lejirma’s round came alive with birdies on holes 2, 3, 7 and 11, an eagle on the par-5 15th and another birdie on the 16th, before a late bogey on 18 halted what would have been a flawless finish.
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The 6-under pushed his overall total to 8-under par, keeping him firmly in control going into the final day. “I am grateful for the round today. It was a solid round, and I had hoped for a bogey-free round, but unfortunately, on hole 18, I got away with one,” said Lejirma.
“I’ve gotten my putting stroke fire back, which really came in handy today. It’s always pressure heading to the final round when everyone is expecting you to deliver, but this is golf, and anything can happen. Tomorrow I’ll stick to my game plan and hopefully lift the trophy.”
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Chasing him is Njoroge Kibugu of Windsor, who carded a 2-under 70 to sit second on 4-under overall, his round boosted by birdies on 7, 8, 9, and 15, offset by bogeys on 1 and 18.
Teammate Rizwan Charania, also of Windsor, followed in third after a 1-under 71, having opened strong with three straight birdies on 1, 2 and 3 and adding two more on 13 and 14, before losing momentum with bogeys on 16 and 18 to finish 3-under overall. “I started with three birdies, a dream start for me this morning,” said Charania.
“I was hitting the ball very well, just as I did yesterday, and I’m happy with the consistency in my game. I dropped a couple of shots, made a few mistakes, but it’s all to play for tomorrow. The last two events I’ve barely made the cut, so being in contention now is really special.”
Veteran Dismas Indiza of Kakamega Sports Club and Erick Ooko are tied for fourth at 1-under, Indiza shooting 71 and Ooko maintaining level par for the second straight day.
Among the international challengers, Uganda’s Grace Kasango and Zimbabwe’s Victor Mapwanya headline the non-Kenyan contingent, tied for sixth at level par (144) after steady play across both rounds.
“It was a tough day out there,” said Mapwanya. “I started with a bogey on the first nine, which was disappointing, but I managed to steady myself and finish one-under. If I can get my putting to click tomorrow, I believe I can post a strong score.”
Kasango, pleased with his progress, added:
“This is my sixth time competing in this tournament, but the first time I’ve made the cut, so that feels like a big milestone. I’m proud of how I handled myself out there and hopeful for an even better round tomorrow.”
A total of 30 players have qualified to contest Wednesday’s final round, which carries a Sh 2million prize purse, with the winner set to take home Sh 400,000.
The tournament also offers Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), and Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing Order of Merit points.
The Johnnie Walker Classic, backed by East African Breweries Limited (EABL) through its Johnnie Walker brand as title sponsor, alongside Vivo Energy Kenya, Pure Travel and Magical Kenya.
It continues to drive the growth of professional golf across the region, deepening East Africa’s presence on the continental tour and offering African golfers valuable international exposure.
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