Tusker Kenya Open

Day One Leader-board
S. Juul          66 (-5)
M. Rominger 67 (-4)
A. Marshall   67 (-4)
B. Gray         67 (-4)
A. Butterfield 67 (-4)

IF Jean Baptiste Hakizimana’s day one performance in the lucrative Tusker Kenya Open is anything to go by, then the Rwandan professional golfer could be on his way to enjoying a share of the Frw182m cash prize.

The debutant, sponsored by MTN Rwanda shot three over par 74 to finish 23rd on the leader board after day one.

Only two Kenyans; Peter Njiru (71) and Dismas Indiza (72) returned better scores. Hakizimana finished one stroke ahead of David Odhiambo and three shots ahead of Hardeep Thethy and Richard Ainley (runner up at the 2007 Rwanda Open).  Ahead of yesterday’s day two action, he was required to finish inside the top 60 to remain a contender for the prize kitty.

"He played well on day one but it’s very important that he maintains the consistency today (day two),” Rwanda’s other professional golfer Emmanuel Ruterana said.

Ruterana is not taking part in the tournament after failing to garner enough sponsorship.

Dane Soren Juul enjoyed pole position on day one after stroking 66. Martin Rominger, Andrew Marshall, Boyd Gray and Andrew Butterfield all tied in second place with four under par.

Meanwhile, reigning Kenya Open champion, Ian Pyman, had a false start after returning 71.

"I am clearly surprised by the outcome of today. Nothing was really exciting for me, I fumbled in some arrears but I hope to improve tomorrow,” he was quoted in one of Kenya’s newspapers.

The Open which climaxes on Sunday is being played on the par 71 Muthaiga golf course with over 154 professional golfers in contention.

As usual, the European Tour, the mother of the Challenge Tour has entered 50 professionals this year.

Ends