-Sandhu took control of the playoff immediately with a superb birdie on the par-four 10th, while Balala made bogey, opening a two-shot advantage and both players carded pars on the 11th, and the 18th, as Sandhu emerged as the winner.
-The win caps an extraordinary fortnight for the Muthaiga Golf Club golfer, who also claimed the NCBA Limuru Open and the Brackenhurst Trophy last weekend which cemented his position at the summit of the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Order of Merit.
-Kenya Golf Union (KGU) Chairman, Brian Akun, said this championship has once again demonstrated why it is one of the premier amateur events in the region.
PR AGENCY-NAIROBI, KENYA.
Muthaiga Golf Club’s Jay Sandhu produced nerves of steel to retain the NCBA Kenya Amateur Stroke Play Championship title after defeating Adel Balala in a dramatic three-hole playoff at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club on Sunday, July 26th, sealing a coveted place in the 2027 Magical Kenya Open.
The pair finished regulation play tied at three-over-par 291 gross after four rounds, forcing a playoff over holes 10, 11 and 18 to determine the champion and the qualifier for the 2027 Magical Kenya Open through the championship.
The playoff, however, only told part of the story after Balala who opened the championship with a disappointing three-over-par 75 gross in the first round, mounted an impressive comeback over the next three days with rounds of 72 gross, 69 gross and 75 gross to force his way into contention.
Entering the closing stretch of the final round, the Nyali Golf & Country Club golfer appeared destined for victory, having built a three-shot lead over the field.
Sandhu’s route to the title was markedly different as the defending champion quietly stayed within striking distance throughout the week, posting rounds of 70 gross, 77 gross, 71 gross and 73 gross. Despite his consistency, the Muthaiga Golf Club golfer did not lead the championship at any stage during the four regulation rounds.
Instead, he relied on patience and experience to remain in contention while others occupied the summit of the leaderboard, until when it mattered most.
But the championship took a dramatic twist on the 72nd, hole, needing only a composed finish to lift the title where Balala endured a costly collapse at the par-four 18th, carding a triple bogey to surrender his advantage and fall back into a tie with Sandhu at three-over-par.
Sandhu took control of the playoff immediately with a superb birdie on the par-four 10th, while Balala made bogey, opening a two-shot advantage and both players carded pars on the 11th, and the 18th, as Sandhu emerged as the winner.
Sandhu said it’s an incredible feeling to defend this title, especially in such a competitive field.
“Balala played exceptionally well all week and pushed me right to the end. To win in a playoff and earn a place in the Magical Kenya Open again is such a delight. I’m grateful to NCBA, the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) and everyone involved in making this championship possible,” said Sandhu.
The win caps an extraordinary fortnight for the Muthaiga Golf Club golfer, who also claimed the NCBA Limuru Open and the Brackenhurst Trophy last weekend which cemented his position at the summit of the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Order of Merit.
Windsor Golf & Country Club player Kamoza Longwe finished tied third on five-over-par 293 gross alongside John Kamaisi of Nakuru Golf Club, while Rwanda’s Hitayezu Jean D’Amour and Muthaiga’s Shashwat Harish shared fifth place on six-over-par 294 gross each.
The championship attracted a strong international field featuring golfers from Kenya, Zambia, India, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Lebanon, Ethiopia, Ghana and China.
Kenya Golf Union (KGU) Chairman, Brian Akun, said this championship has once again demonstrated why it is one of the premier amateur events in the region.
“We welcomed golfers from across Africa and beyond, creating a truly competitive field that tested every aspect of the players’ game. The playoff between Jay Sandhu and Adel Balala was a fitting conclusion to four days of exceptional golf and a reminder that championships are won through resilience and composure under pressure. We are immensely grateful to NCBA for their continued investment in amateur golf, which has been instrumental in raising the standard of competition and providing our players with opportunities to compete at the highest level,” said Akun.
The Kenya Swing Tournaments continue in the coming weekend with the Kenya Amateur Matchplay Championship from Thursday 30th, July through to Sunday 2nd, August at the Limuru Country Club in Kiambu County, Kenya.
TOP TEN LEADERS AND TIES.
Jay Sandhu (+3)-291 gross, Adel Taufiq Balala (+3) 291 gross, Kamoza Longwe (+5) 293 gross, John Kamaisi (+5) 293 gross, Jean D’Amour Hitayezu (+6) 294 gross, Harish Shashwat (+6) 294 gross, Gilbert Chalwe (+7) 295 gross, Pranay Kapur (+9) 297 gross, Paul Ngugi (+11) 299 gross, Alex Mwangi (+11) 299 gross.
ENDS.
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