Lejirma eye Karen Challenge after Nandi Shield title defence

Kenya Amateur Golf Championships (KAGC) champion John Lejirma will target a fourth title at Friday's Karen Challenge after retaining the Nandi Open Shield at the par 72 Nandi Bears’ Golf Club over the weekend.

The Team Kenya player amassed one over par 217 to retain the title he won last year, securing his second successful title defence this year after winning the Hippo Pot title at the Nyanza Club in August.

Lejirma said it was an honour to secure another victory on his second outing at the Nandi County-based club.

“As a defending champion, the pressure was high but I managed it well. I have played under such conditions for long and that's why it did not affect my game so much,” said Lejirma.

In his third and final round, the Kenya Railways player sunk two birdies in 5th par 4 and 16th par 5. The latter affected many players but Lejirma managed to sink two clubs in all three rounds.

“I had a bad start in the first nine — four bogeys, five pars and a birdie — but I managed to handle the situation well in the second nine with a two club in 16th, six pars and dropping two shots, which was good for the title defence,” added Lejirma.

Lejirma started well in Round One to end the day in joint lead alongside home player Elly Barno and Golf Park’s Amos Odongo. He went ahead to take a shot lead in the second round followed by Barno and Odongo before taking victory in the final round.

“I was very consistent on the course, which was not easy but the level of concentration and being keen on the ball,” he said.

"My focus has now shifted to Karen where I will looking to win a fourth title this year."

Odongo completed the tournament with two over par 218 after tying with Lejirma in the final round at +4 76 while Barno, who was seeking his maiden win in the series, completed with +3 219 despite having the second-lowest score of one over par 73 in the last day.

Ugandan Godfrey Nsubuga who was the lowest scorer in the last round at one under par 71 was fourth with +6 222.

Finals round leader board

1. John Lejirma (Kenya Railways) 72, 69, 76= 217

2. Amos Odongo (Golf Park) 72, 70, 76= 218

3. Elly Barno (Nandi Bears) 72, 74, 73

4. Godfrey Nsubuga (Mehta-UGA) 73, 78,71= 222

5. Michael Karanga (Kiambu) 76, 72, 79= 225

T6. Geoffrey Karioki (Kisii) 78, 76,76=230

T6. Josephat Rono (Golf Park) 77, 72, 81=230

T6. Ebill Omollo (Vet Lab) 75, 77, 78=230

T10. Faith Chemutai (Nandi Bears) 77, 79,78=234

T10. Kevin Juma (Royal) 75, 79, 80= 234