By KPC Sports Reporter
Rwanda’s Celestin Nsazuwera and Golf Park’s David Wakhu surged to the top of the leaderboard on Day Two of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing at Nyali Golf & Country Club, following impressive second-round performances in significantly improved weather conditions.
Nsazuwera, who began the day at 3-over-par, delivered a composed round of 3-under-par 68 to bring his overall score to level par (142), securing a share of the lead heading into Wednesday’s final round.
After an early bogey on the second hole, he quickly recovered with birdies on the third and fifth, turning in a front nine of 35.
He maintained his rhythm on the back nine, picking up birdies at the 10th, 11th, 13th, and 17th, with only two blemishes, bogeys on the 12th and 15th, finishing the back nine in 33.
Staying focused
Reflecting on his round, Nsazuwera said he initially struggled with the wind but remained committed to his game plan, focusing on hitting fairways and avoiding three-putts.
“The bogey on two was frustrating,” he admitted, “but I bounced back quickly with birdies on three and five. I reminded myself to relax and not force anything,” he said.
“The three-putt on 15 was not part of the plan, but overall I’m proud of how I played. Tomorrow, I’ll try to stay consistent and clean it up.”
Sharing the lead is David Wakhu, who followed up his solid opening round of 72 with an even-par 71. .
Wakhu picked up a birdie on the fifth and parred the rest of the front nine.
On the back nine, he overcame bogeys on the 10th and 16th with back-to-back birdies on the 17th and 18th, closing his round on a high note.
“I had a nice flow in today’s round until the 10th when I made a bogey,” Wakhu said.
“That was a wake-up call. I had to reset mentally. I hit a great shot on the 15th just two feet from the pin but missed the birdie.”
He went on: “That frustrated me a bit, and I dropped another on 16. But I reminded myself to stay focused, and that helped me finish strong with birdies on the last two holes. I’ll stick to my plan tomorrow; steady and focused.”
Quickly recovered
In solo third is Ruiru leg champion Njoroge Kibugu, who posted a 2-under-par 69 to move to 1-over-par (143).
Kibugu opened with a bogey on the first hole but quickly recovered with birdies on the second, fifth, and ninth. He added further gains on the 11th and 13th and parred his way through the rest of the round.
“When I bogeyed the first hole, I knew it was a sloppy bogey and just a mental error,” Kibugu said.
“I bounced back on the next hole and felt I had it going. On the last hole, I hit a six iron, it was the right club, but I didn’t commit.”
He added: “I should have. I think tomorrow will truly be a mental battle. The course is playing tremendously. Celestin is a tremendous player. We’re all good players. I think tomorrow it comes down to whoever can hold their own.”
Jastas Madoya, who led after round one, dropped to fourth after carding a 2-over-par 73.
He struggled with bogeys on the second, sixth, seventh, tenth, and twelfth holes, but managed to recover some ground with birdies on the ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth to stay in contention.
Greg Snow of Muthaiga sits fifth on the leaderboard at 3-over-par (145) after a second-round 73.
His round was highlighted by a stunning eagle on the par-5 17th and a birdie on the seventh, though bogeys on the fourth, sixth, ninth, thirteenth, and fourteenth proved costly.
A total of 30 players made the cut, which was set at 13-over-par.
The final round will take place tomorrow, where the field will compete for the KES 2 million prize purse and valuable Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.
Among those advancing to the final round are Naom Wafula of Vipingo Ridge and Margaret Njoki of Golf Park Golf Club, both representing the women’s field.
Wafula continues to impress in her early days as a newly turned professional, adding another layer of excitement to the tournament’s closing day.