Rwanda’s top professional golfer Jean Baptiste Hakizimana must up his game if he is to make the cut in the 2014 Barclays Kenya Open Championship at the Karen Country Club in Nairobi.

Hakizimana finished in a distant 143rd position courtesy of a seven over par 79 in the first round of the lucrative tournament on Thursday.

Spanish Alvaro Velasco steamed into the first round lead thanks to his six under par 66.

Greg Snow was the best placed Kenyan at the close of business on the first day of the Barclays Kenya Open after posting a two under par 70. Snow was ranked 18th overall alongside defending champion Jordi Garcia Pinto.

Nick Rokoine, placed 34th overall on one under par 71 is the second best placed Kenyan, while Njuguna Ngugi is 49th, having played a par round of 72.

Uganda’s Denis Anguyo, who is making his debut in the annual tournament, finished 130th after making five over par 77 and unless he pulls off a miracle, he might join Hakizimana in the exit chamber after the second round.

The Kenya Open, which is part of the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) tour, has attracted a total of 156 players with the hosts entering 22.

This year’s prize money is €200,000 (Rwf183.7m) with the winner set to pocket €32,000 (Rwf29.8m).