PGK captain Wangai challenges team-mates to prepare well ahead of Kenya Open

The 33-year-old father of two also believes local players have a great chance to excel in the contest this year owing to the disruptions that have been brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Most of the international players have not been playing, especially at the highest levels.

"They have been locked up in their homes due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but Kenyan players have been upping their training at the Safari Tour series that concluded last month," he said.

"I believe this has given us a slight advantage over the pros who will be jetting into the country next week for Kenya Open," Wangai said, who hopes to make the cut this year.

He has not missed any edition of the Open since his first qualification in 2012.

Interestingly, he has never proceeded to the money bracket in the prestigious tournament that gained European Tour status in 2019.

Wangai's sentiments that they need to work hard ahead of the Open has been supported by his brother, Samuel Njoroge who turned pro last year.

The Railways Golf Club golfer admitted he is doing longer hours of practice now than when he was an amateur.

Likewise, Edwin Inana of Vet Lab who will also be headed to the Karen course as a pro for the first time is equally excited.

Inana had a good season in the Safari Tour, finishing third in the Vet Lab leg.

"I played hard to get my numbers right. I also had my highs and lows, but consistency was key.

"It was the driving force that settled me in the third rounds in most events," Inana said.

Former Gor Mahia midfielder, Jacob Okello who ditched football for golf in the 80s said golfers in his stable are ready to conquer Kenya Open.

"We are ready, we have trained enough. And as the most experienced player, I will lead by example," Okello said.

Okello, 52, first took part in the Open in 1988 as an amateur.

His magic moment came in 1998 when he proceeded to the final where he lost on sudden death.

Windsor golfer Riz Charania, 37, has too declared this is his season to cause "havoc" in Karen.

He noted that his scores have been improving tremendously since he first participated in the Safari Tour four years ago.

"I'm going to the tournament with a lot of experience this season, I have been working on my swings and developing the confidence to conquer the event."

Charania has made the cut twice at the Open (2017 and 2018) with his best-ever finish in 55th position overall in 2015.

At the same time, Toni Omuli is now the latest inclusion in the Kenyan team for the Open.

Excited Omuli said it's a great relief for him to be in the contingent after working hard all year round in search of the elusive ticket.

"I received a call from the Kenya Golf Union that the European Tour organisers instructed them to add another player in the Kenyan team. So I was contacted as I finished 13th overall in the Safari Tour," Omuli noted.