Ruterana eyes Kenya Open revival

AFTER a far from convincing display in last week’s KCB Open, Rwanda’s number one golfer Emmanuel Ruterana is determined to make amends at the Barclays Kenya Open slated to be held at Muthaiga golf course later this month. The 29-year-old scored 295 (11 over-par) over four days to settle for 14th place at the Par-71 golf course and was quick to blame the dismal display on the greens. “It was very difficult out there. The greens were a lot quicker than the ones we have here (Kigali Golf Club) so I often played two shots extra on the greens,” the golfer said. Ruterana is however backing himself to end his jinx in the Open. The golfer has played in two editions (2006 and 2010) but is yet to make the cut. “Since we are playing on the same course, I should be better prepared,” he said. This year’s edition (43rd) will run from March 31-April 3 and is expected to attract 300 golfers from Africa and Europe. The Open was first played in 1967, and is the oldest Championship on the African Leg of the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) European Challenge Tour. It has been an event on the European based Challenge Tour since 1991 and won by some of Europe’s biggest, most successful player being England’s Maurice Bembridge with three victories between 1968 and 1979. Last year, England’s Robert Dinwiddie won the event to pocket Rwf165m. This year, the winner will walk away with Rwf157m. Ends

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Ruterana eyes Kenya Open revival