Nyanza Open: Kamais takes early lead as defending champion Lejirma struggles on day one

John Kamais of Nakuru Golf Club in action at Nyanza Golf Club.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

The 2024 Nyanza Open dubbed Hippo Pot got off to an exciting start with John Kamais of Nakuru Golf Club seizing the lead after the first round.

Kamais carded a solid even-par 70 on the challenging Nyanza Golf Club course, which played firm and fast under a bit of wind in the afternoon. Kamais managed to stay composed, making smart shots to navigate the course's tricky layout and set the pace for the field.

Golfers enjoy a light moment at Nyanza Golf Club.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

Close on his heels is Amos Odongo from Golf Park Golf Club, who finished just one stroke behind at +1 (71).

A three-way tie for third place sees Raphael Leming'ani, Elly Barno, and William Odek all finishing Day One at +2 (72), keeping the leaderboard tightly packed at the top.

John Lejirma of of Kenya Railways Golf Club in action at Nyanza Golf Club.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

The defending champion, John Lejirma of Kenya Railway Golf Club, had a challenging day, finding himself tied for 9th with a score of +5 (75). Speaking after his round, Lejirma reflected on his performance, noting the fast and firm conditions as a contributing factor.

"I started strong on the front nine with an eagle, which gave me a lot of confidence. However, I ran into some trouble on holes 2, 4, and 8, where I dropped two shots to finish the front nine at +1.

“The back nine was even trickier for me. I got off to a slow start and bogeyed holes 10, 15, 17, and 18. Overall, I’m not too disappointed. Despite a few small hiccups, I’m satisfied with how I’m swinging the club," Lejirma explained.

Golfers enjoy a light moment at Nyanza Golf Club.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

While Lejirma remains five strokes behind Kamais, he remains optimistic about his chances to make a comeback, especially given his experience on this course. With two more rounds to play, the reigning champion has time to recover from his slow start.

The leaderboard remains competitive, with several players like Benard Omondi (+3) and Cedric Konzolo (+4) within striking distance of the leaders.

The fast course conditions combined with potential changes in wind could further test the players’ skills in the coming rounds, making Day Two a critical moment for those hoping to chase Kamais at the top.

Golfers enjoy a light moment at Nyanza Golf Club.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

All eyes will be on Kamais to see if he can hold his lead, while Lejirma looks to improve and stay in contention for the title.

Beyond the greens, the Hippo Pot serves as a platform for business networking, with professionals and decision-makers from various industries expected to attend.

The event's sponsors include notable organizations such as Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company, Sarova Imperial, Kibos and Allied Sugar Company, BuuPass Kenya Ltd, and Africa Inuka Hospitals, among others.

Action at Nyanza Golf Club.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

Their support ensures the tournament continues to grow in stature, offering both excellent golfing experiences and significant opportunities for business-to-business engagement.

Nyanza Golf Club captain Tom Odongo said it is just the beginning as he expects more action and thrills over the next two days while also thanking partners and sponsors.

John Kamais of Nakuru Golf Club in action at Nyanza Golf Club.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

"The 2024 Nyanza Open has kicked off on a high note, and I couldn’t be more pleased with how the first day has gone. The players have shown exceptional skill, and despite the tough conditions on the course, we’ve witnessed some incredible performances.

“The atmosphere has been electric, and it’s clear that everyone is giving it their all. Our greens are in great shape, and that’s helped to produce some competitive scores,” he said.

“As we look ahead to the next two days, I’m expecting even fiercer competition. The leaderboard is tight, and with the quality of players we have this year, anything can happen. We’ve had fantastic weather so far, and if that holds up, we’ll see some low scores. I’m especially excited to see how our local talents rise to the challenge against more experienced opponents.”