Kenya has taken an early lead after the first two rounds of the fifth edition of the Africa Region IV Championship, being held at Kigali Golf Resort & Villas in Rwanda.
The Kenyan team, consisting of John Lejirma, Michael Karanga, Elvis Muigua, and Adel Balala, posted a combined score of 435, narrowly ahead of Uganda’s 440 and Rwanda’s 453.
The teams played 36 holes on the first day of the tournament.
Lejirma led the way for Kenya, carding rounds of 72 and 73 for a total of 145 (+1).
Karanga followed closely with scores of 70 and 76, totaling 146 (+2).
Muigua shot 75 in the first round and 72 in the second, finishing with 147 (+3), while Balala, who posted a solid 72 in round one, struggled in the second round with an 82, finishing at 154 (+10).
Team captain John Lejirma expressed confidence in his team’s chances of securing a third consecutive championship title, having won the event in 2022 and 2023.
“Our strategy is to play consistent golf and support each other. We’re focused on defending the trophy,” Lejirma told Golf Score Kenya.
Uganda, winners of the 2019 edition, are currently in second place after the two rounds on Friday.
Joseph Kasozi shot 81 and 71 for a total of 152 (+12), while Joseph Akena was consistent with two rounds of 73, totaling 146 (+2).
Joseph Cwinyaai’s rounds of 70 and 74 earned him a total of 144 (level par), and Ibrahim Ssemakula added scores of 79 and 82 for a total of 161 (+17).
Host nation Rwanda sits in third place with a combined score of 453.
Felix Dusabe led the team with rounds of 78 and 75 for a total of 151 (+9).
Jacques Byiringiro and Benjamin Mukisa each posted totals of 150 (+6), while Gatera Jacques added 159 (+15).
Mauritius and Seychelles are tied for fourth with scores of 456, while Ethiopia is in sixth place with a score of 505.
On Saturday, the teams will compete in one round of 18 holes, with the final round scheduled for Sunday.
