Samuel Njoroge today won the Karen leg of the Safari Tour 2022/23 season after winning an exciting three-way playoff. The contest was extended to a playoff after three players Njoroge, Jastas Madoya and Visitor Mapwanya all finished on seven under par 281.
In regulation time Njoroge and Mapwanya carded an identical 68 for the duo to gain ground on Madoya who went into the final round in second position three strokes ahead.
During the playoff Mapwanya took the lead after birdieing no.10 as Njoroge got a par while Madoya managed a bogey. The trio all made pars on the no 11 before Njoroge wrapped up the proceedings with a priceless birdie on the third playoff hole after driving the par-4 number 12 green as Madoya and Mapwanya managed par and bogey respectively.
Interestingly, Njoroge was not in contention for the better part of the day.
On a drama-filled day, 54-holes leader Limb started brightly and raced to a three-shot lead after birdieing the first two holes to sit firmly in the driver’s seat. However, second-placed Madoya narrowed the deficit by one stroke with a birdie on no.3. Limb would then drop two shots in succession on no.6 and no.7 as Madoya seized the outright leadership with a birdie on no.6.
It remained a cagey affair at the interval as the leading pair remained neck and neck. On the turn, Limb rolled in three back-to-back birdies from no.10 to regain the lead as Madoya dropped a shot at no.10.
With the contest seemingly headed to a photo-finish, Limb pressed the self-destruct button on no.13 as the Karen player went on a back-to-back bogey run then played himself out of contention with a double bogey on no.15. The home player failed to recover from the setback as he faded to sixth position after final round of three over 75.
Meanwhile with his opponent vanquished, Madoya had his eyes firmly set on victory oblivious of the heroics of the chasing pack. He enjoyed a two stroke advantage until on no.17 where he dropped a shot to open the door for Samuel Njoroge who was lying in wait after birdieing no. 15, 16 and 18. Also lurking was Visitor Mapwanya after picking two shots in the last two holes.
Needing a birdie to wrap up a third win on Safari Tour, Madoya instead parred the easy playing par-5 no.18 to extend the contest to a three-way playoff.
Ten players shot under par, arguably the best show on Safari Tour. The final round of the Tour will be held at Muthaiga Golf Club paving the way for the Magical Kenya Open 2023.
DAY THREE LEADERBOARD
J Madoya -7
S Njoroge -7
V Mapwanya -7
R Rugumayo -6
S Wemba -6
J Limb -4
M Kisia -3
C Nsanzuwera -3
S Ngige -1
G Snow -1
D Nduva Par
J Okello Par
D Indiza +1
D Wakhu +1
T Omuli +2
P Chidale +2
B Chibvuri +4
D Akope +4
S Opio +5
CJ Wangai +5
I Wanyeche +9
