At Muthaiga Golf Club ahead of mega-cash Kenya Open

Jean Baptist Hakizimana has expressed great concern about the greens at the Par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club, the venue for this year’s Kenya Open.

The MTN Rwanda sponsored professional golfer left the country last week and has been trying to acclimatize to the course over the past four days.

"It has not been easy because the course is tricky but the greens are even trickier. They are the opposite of what we have in Rwanda. They are very fast so one has to be extra careful with his putts,” he said.

The lucrative event valued at Ksh.12m (approx. Frw 100m) tees off this Thursday with over 100 golfers in contention for the prestigious package at stake.

However, it remains to be seen if Rwanda’s other professional Emmanuel Ruterana will take part in the four-day tournament which is also part of the European Challenge Tour.

Ruterana, who parted ways with his long-time sponsors BCR early this year is counting on previous pledges from Kigali Golf Club.

Speaking to Times Sport on Monday, the former caddie said, "I’m still counting on financial support from KGC. I think I still have a chance to be part of the action.”

The 27-year-old needs about $1200 to compete in the annual tourney.

England’s Ian Pyman is the defending champion. The event dating back in 1967 has been won by a host of Europe’s big names like Severiano Ballesteros, Ian Woosnam, Ken Brown and Christy O’Connor Jnr, as well as future Masters Champion Trevor Immelman.

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