Snow Grabs Rwanda Open Lead

Larry Ngala

26 May 2011

Nairobi — Muthaiga’s Greg Snow recovered from two early bogeys at the first and third holes, to charge to the top of the leaderboard as the 2011 KCB Bank Rwanda Open entered its half way stage at the par 72 Kigali Golf Club on Thursday.

The Serena Hotels-sponsored Snow, under clubbed the par three first and later three putted the third hole though he later picked up birdies at the fourth and ninth, followed them with three others at the back nine(12th, 14th and 18th) for a 69 and a two rounds total of five under par 139 to lead by one shot from day one leader Ali Kimani of Vet Lab Sports Club.

“I played eight iron instead of seven at the first hole while at the third, I made three putts otherwise my game was not bad. this is a tough course so one has to be real careful,” said Snow, adding that he will approach the last two rounds with the same game plan – consistency.

Kimani bogeyed hit four bogeys to finish on one over par 73 and a total of four under par 140.

“I hit a number of bad shots while at the same time, missed several putts for birdies,” said Kimani.

On the other hand, Dismas Indiza dropped a shot at the second hole but levelled at the seventh, then set for the back nine in great style, picking up an eagle three at the 10th, added two more birdies at the 12th and 14th to cover up for a late bogey at the 15th also for a 69 for the day and a total of three under 141.

Rwanda’s Emmanuel Ruterana shot one over par 73 to remain in a striking position for the top on 142.

Two more rounds

“Its not over yet, there are two more rounds to be played and on this course, one can only be comfortable if you come out at the last green,” said Ruterana, who is chasing his first KCB East Africa Tour title.

A total of 20 pros with scores of seven over par 151 and better, made it to the final rounds of the Sh1 million tournament, which is the fifth in the KCB East Africa Golf Tour this year.

They included 2010 series champion Simon Ngige, who after an 83 in the first round, fired a brave four under par 68 in yesterday’s round to make the cut on 151.

Elsewhere, England’s Luke Donald got off to a flying start in his bid to overtake Lee Westwood at the top of the world rankings with a first round 64, seven under par, in the PGA Championship here at Wentworth on Thursday.

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