Adel Balala Wins NCBA Kabete Open 2024 in Dramatic Playoff
![Adel Balala Wins NCBA Kabete Open 2024 in Dramatic Playoff Adel Balala Wins NCBA Kabete Open 2024 in Dramatic Playoff](https://citizentv.obs.af-south-1.myhuaweicloud.com/129593/conversions/Adel-Balala-poses-for-a-photo-with-his-NCBA-Kabete-Open-2024-trophy---1-og_image.webp)
Adel Balala poses for a photo with his NCBA Kabete Open 2024 trophy. Photo/ Courtesy
A thrilling
finish to the NCBA Kabete Open 2024 saw Adel Balala of Nyali Golf
Club emerge victorious in a sudden-death playoff against defending champion
Michael Karanga of Kiambu Golf Club.
Both golfers ended the three-day Kenya Amateur Golf Championships (KAGC) series tournament tied at four-over-par 220, forcing a playoff on holes 1, 17, and 18.
Each hole
resulted in a tie, with Balala dropping two shots on the first hole
while Karanga bogeyed. Both players parred the 17th, pushing the decision to
the 18th hole.
In a dramatic
sudden-death playoff on the 18th, both players birdied the first attempt. They
returned to the same hole, where Balala held his nerve with a par,
while Karanga faltered with a bogey, handing Balala the coveted
title.
Balala's
victory was a tale of two halves. He shot an impressive two-under-par 70 in
both the first and second rounds before dropping eight strokes in the final
round. Karanga, meanwhile, started slow with a three-over-par 75 but climbed
the leaderboard with a one-under-par 71 in the final round.
The tournament,
sponsored by NCBA Bank as title sponsors, attracted an impressive field of 133
players from Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and the United Kingdom.
The event was a
qualifying tournament for the World Amateur Golf Championship as well as the
local KAGC ranking, adding to its significance and prestige.
Leader board
after final round:
2. Michael Karanga (Kiambu) 75, 74, 71= 220
3. Joseph Cwinyaai (UGA) 69, 73, 83=225
T4. Josphat
Rono (Golf Park) 78, 72, 76= 226
T4. Krish Shah
(Vetlab) 77, 75, 74= 226
6. Jean D’Amour
(Kigali, RWA) 74, 77, 76= 227
T7. Shashwat
Harish (Muthaiga) 79, 75, 74= 228
T7. Isaac
Makokha (Vetlab) 76, 76, 76= 228
T9. Micahel
Alunga (UGA) 77, 76, 76= 229
T9. James
Mwangi (Golf Park) 77, 75, 77= 229
T9. John
Lejirma (Kenya Railways) 76, 78, 75=229
T9. Elvis Muigua (Kiambu) 76, 76, 77= 229
Want to send us a story? SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp 0743570000 or Submit on Citizen Digital or email wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a Comment