Youngster tees-off with World’s best golfers in Kenya

AFTER a series of serious practice sessions at the tricky Par 71 Muthaiga Golf Course, Jean Baptist Hakizimana starts his campaign in the lucrative four-day Tusker Kenya Open this morning.

The MTN-Rwanda sponsored golfer, turning 20 in July is expected to line up against top golfers in what is undoubtedly the biggest tournament of his young career so far .

The Frw 100m event climaxing on Sunday has attracted about 180 golfers from Africa, Europe, Asia and South America.

Besides elite golfers from South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Kenya, defending champion Ian Pyman of England, Edoardo Molinari who won the open in 2007, Johan Axgren of Sweden (2006), Lee S. James (2002), Switzerland’s Andre Bossert who won the open in 1992 and Alan Wagner- currently leading in the 2009 Challenge Tour Order of Merit are all part of a star-studded field chasing for the ultimate prize.

Molinari, back on the Challenge Tour after losing his playing privileges on The European Tour last year comes into the event in the finest form, having secured the runner-up berth at the season-opening Club Colombia Masters last month. 

Being one of the most inexperienced golfers at the four-day tournament, Hakizimana yesterday told Times Sport that he was aiming to beat the cut (144).

"My immediate task is to make the cut after day two and then move on from there,” he said.

Over the years, the Tusker Kenya Open has forged a reputation for producing noteworthy winners, including future European Tour champions Ricardo Gonzalo, Maarten Lafeber, Daniel Vansik and 2000 champion South African Trevor Immelman, who also won the 2008 Masters-one of the most cherished golf tournaments in the world.

On top of being the second event on this year’s European Challenge Tour, the event is also considered to be the second oldest event under the PGA European Challenge Tour.

Tusker Kenya Open
Winners since 2000
Year  Winner       Score
2008  Iain Pyman          272 (-12)
2007  Edoardo Molinari    274 (-6)
2006  Johan Axgren          270 (-10)
2005  Daniel Vancsik        272 (-8)
2004  Marc Cayeux           270 (-10)
2003  No tournament
2002  Lee S. James           265 (-19)
2001  Ashley Roestoff        271 (-13)
2000  Trevor Immelman     270 (-14)

Ends