Nigeria’s Godwin Okoko has bagged his first Sunshine Development Tour title. He won the Rift Valley Championship at Nakuru Golf Club in Kenya on Tuesday, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.
This event was the eighth round of the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing. Okoko finished with a five-under-par 68, giving him a total score of 209. This was enough to edge out Kenya’s Simon Njogu by just one stroke.
In his final round, Okoko made six birdies and an eagle on the 16th hole. He did drop shots on the fifth, eighth, and 12th holes but held on to his lead until the end.
“I am very happy to win my first title on the Sunshine Development Tour,” Okoko said. “I have been working hard throughout the season, and it feels good to see that effort pay off. The course tested us, but I stayed focused, took my opportunities and kept pushing until the end. This win gives me a lot of confidence as I prepare for the next event back home in Nigeria.”
His victory earned him Ksh400,000 from a Ksh2 million prize pool and 210 Order of Merit points.
Njogu, from Golf Park Golf Club, finished second with a score of nine under par at 210. He made birdies on the fifth, eighth, 10th, 11th, and 16th holes. He took home Ksh214,000 and 172 points.
“I gave myself opportunities and managed to finish strongly, although there are a few shots I would have liked back,” he said.
Edwin Mudanyi started the day as the overnight leader but fell to third place with a score of six under par at 213. He dropped shots on the first, third, and fourth holes, and bogeys on the 14th and 15th hurt his chances.
“It is disappointing not to finish on top after putting myself in a good position, but there are positives to take from the week,” he said.
Dismas Indiza ended up fourth with a score of 214, while Greg Snow from Muthaiga Golf Club came fifth at 215. John Kagiri was sixth with a score of one under par at 218.
The championship was sponsored by NCBA Bank and saw professionals and top amateurs from the region competing. The points earned count towards the Order of Merit, which helps players qualify for the main Sunshine Tour, as well as the Official World Golf Ranking and the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
Okoko will return to Nigeria for the next leg, the Alpha Bravo Golf Classic, at Lakowe Lakes Golf Estate from November 18 to 21.
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