-The Muthaiga Club player Sandhu finished in second place after returning a 2 under par 70 gross after shooting a bogey on the 17th, hole that ruined his better part of the day.
-Sandhu says his goal was to find the fairways as much as possible which worked well although he missed a few straight putts but was happy with the day’s result.
-A cut out of the 96 players will be made after the second round to proceed to the finals on Sunday,18th, where the Champion of the tournament will be crowned.
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Kenyan Amateur Jay Sandhu missed the day one lead narrowly to Zambia’s Gilbert Chalwe after the opening round of the 2026 NCBA Limuru Open & Brackenhurst Trophy Golf tournament being played at the par 72 Limuru Country Club course, in Kimabu County on Friday.
Sandhu of Muthaiga Golf Club’s Sandhu finished in second place after returning a 2 under par 70 gross, surrendering the lead he held for the better part of the day after shooting a bogey on the 17th.
However, Sandhu remains within striking distance and heads into the second day on Saturday just one shot behind the leader.
“I did not have much expectations today. My goal was to find the fairways as much as possible which worked well although I missed a few straight putts but I am happy with where I am. I think putting will be very decisive here,” Sandhu said.
The Zambian Chalwe produced a brilliant closing nine to card a 3 under par 69 gross and seize the outright day’s lead.
Chalwe overcame a slow start that saw him turn in 1 over par 37 gross before producing a flawless back nine of 4 under par 32 gross.
His back-nine charge featured four birdies on holes 11th,12th,15th, and 18th, without a single dropped shot, enough to separate himself from the chasing pack on a demanding course.
“I wanted to have a strong start in the first day so that I have a chance in the competition. I was not expecting much today but there is a lot of golf to be played now. As things stand, anyone can win it especially when you are being chased by so many good players. I will focus on what I can control, try and be more focused mentally because that is what will decide the winner,” Chalwe said.
Teenage sensation Kanana Muthomi of Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club played equal par to finish day at third place tied with Junaid Ayaz Manji (Sigona Golf Club) and Rwanda’s Byiringiro Jacques (Kigali Golf Resort & Villas).
Kanana’s round started off difficult, with double bogeys on the 12th and 14th, and a bogey on the 13th. However, she raced to a 3 under par 33 gross after the turn, picking up birdies on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, holes to settle for a level par 72 gross.
“Today was a bit difficult, especially in the first nine where I was overshooting everything. I changed my strategy in the second nine and I played a bit better to finish level par. I hope tomorrow will be much better off the tee, and the putts will be dropping,” Kanana said.
Home players Mbachio Kimani and Josphat Rona alongside Felix Dusabe (Rwanda), and Kapur Pranay (south Africa) all played 1 over par 73 gross each and are tied at sixth going to the second round on.
Nakuru’s John Kamaisi leads the series player rankings on 809.20 points while Sandhu sat second on 640.00 points, Elvis Muigua (Windsor) remains third with 495.26 points, Eugine Wafula (Muthaiga) is fourth on 472.26 points, and William Odek (Nyali) rounds out the top five on 409.56 points.
The 96 field of Amateurs features players from hosts Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Burundi, Uganda, India, Ghana, China, and Serbia, adding strong regional and international appeal as they compete for a share of the Ksh. 700,000 prize pool.
The final round will be played on Sunday,19th, July, after a cut on Saturday,18th, July.
TOP TEN DAY ONE (FRIDAY) LEADERS AND TIES.
Gilbert Chalwe-Royal Johannesburg-69 gross, Jay Sandhu-Muthaiga Golf Club-70 gross, Junaid Ayaz Manju-Sigona Golf Club-72 gross, Byiringiro Jacques-Kigali golf resort and villas-72 gross, Kanana Muthomi-Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club-72 gross, Josphat Rono-Golf Park Golf Club-73 gross, Pranay Kapur-Royal Johannesburg-73 gross, Felix Dusabe-Kigali golf resort and villas-73 gross, Ali Wasim-Vet Lab Sports Club-73 gross, Jeremiah Sitoki-Limuru Country Club-74 gross, Isaac Makokha-Kenya Railway Golf Club-74 gross, Elvis Muigua-Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club-74 gross, Francis Kimani-Limuru Country Club-74 gross.
ENDS.
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