England’s Ian Pyman battled a strong field of golfers at the Karen country club here Sunday to win this year’s Kenya open golf championship.
Pyman fired five birdies under par 272 and doubled with a bogie in the fourth a nd fifth under par 36 to defeat Argentina’s Daniel Barbatti who had dominated the championship in the past three rounds.
Pyman who had a spirited chase with his compatriot Gary Clark doubled the birdies in the first nine and three in the back to deny Kenya’s Dismas Indiza his first ever title for the event.
For his effort, Pyman went home with the US$ 419,910 prize money.
“I had a superb final round and it was great to get my chipping and putting comi ng in well. I had confidence though I did expect to top since the contest was re a lly tough.
“I would really love to come again for the championship next year because I lov e Kenya. I would also like to be back to defend the title that I have won this t i me around ,”said Pyman.
The Englishman savoured the day to win the 2.8 million Kenyan shillings cheque a fter local hero Indiza squandered his chance when he fired only two birdies, wor s ened by five bogies in the closing round.
He fused bogies in the 14 and 15 holes which ruled him out of contention, contending later that poor chipping and putting cost him the title.
He noted that he was now focusing on the Zambian and Botswana Tours.
Indiza will, however, be going to Uganda for a warm-up tournament.
Another surprise performer who finished second behind Pyman was Austrian Thomas Feyrsinger who putted nine under par 275.
Feyrsinger relied on his best shots of six birdies, three bogies and a double bo gie coming in the back nine.