C J Wangai's Kenya Open Despair Fuels Road To Masters Cracking Form
14th April 2019
Having taken back to back honours when he ruled the roost in Thika, Sigona based pro hungers for more success
- After taking the honours during the second leg in Nyali's that was the first event for the pros, Wangai went on to card an impressive 5 under par 139 gross to complete back to back wins in the series that is the selection event for Team Kenya for the Sunshine Tour's 2019 KCB Karen Masters
- Wangai regretted his form had not peaked during the prestigious European Tour Magical Kenya Open presented by Absa last month
- The Sigona man got off to a flying start with a round of 5 under par 67 and level par 72 on the last day to rule the roost in Thika
NAIROBI, Kenya- Sigona resident professional Charles John Wangai better known as CJ Wangai believes his back to back success in the ongoing KCB Road To The Masters Series is a sign of better things to come.
After taking the honours during the second leg in Nyali's that was the first event for the pros, Wangai went on to card an impressive 5 under par 139 gross to complete back to back wins in the series that is the selection event for Team Kenya for the Sunshine Tour's 2019 KCB Karen Masters.
In an interview at the Par 72 Thika Sports Club where professional golfers competed in a two-day 36-hole stroke play tournament, Wangai regretted his form had not peaked during the prestigious European Tour Magical Kenya Open presented by Absa last month.
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However, his good Road To The Masters run had landed Wangai an invitation to play in the Sunshine Tour event in Sun City, South Africa in the first week of June.
"Sun City will be held a few weeks before the Karen Masters, so this together with the remaining two rounds of our series offers me an opportunity to play competitively prior to the big event," Wangai, who is also the Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) captain, said.
The Sigona man got off to a flying start with a round of 5 under par 67 and level par 72 on the last day to rule the roost in Thika.
Disappointing sixth
He beat four rivals Alfred Nandwa, Rizwan Charania, Dismas Indiza and Simon Ngige by three strokes while Greg Snow settled for unfamiliar and disappointing sixth with scores of 70 and 73 for a total of 1 under 143 gross.
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And having taken some impressive scalps, Wangai reiterated his best is yet to come.
"Playing in the Safari Tour and then almost immediately going into the KCB event has had some positive effects to my game. Hard work and practice has been key to my success; then of course investing in new equipment with better irons and drivers has also helped immensely.
"I'm traditionally very formidable off my tee box shots but again I really need to work more on perfecting my short game."
Asked about his game on the second day where he play level par, Wangai, a former Golf Administrator at Railways went on:
"My front nine was all good, I shot one under but my back nine wasn't that good because I picked a double bogey on hole number 17. So I finished level par for the day but all in all it's quite a good feeling to win.
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"Despite not having a great outing on the second day, my first day of 5 under carried me through. I must thank the green keepers for keeping the course in good condition considering the current drought situation in the country. It's always been a great pleasure to be at Thika as its a championship course."
The top nine players managed under par stores and Nakuru Golf Club will host the Road To The Master's fourth round.
Thika Top 10 Pro Results
1. CJ Wangai- (-5) 139
T2. Alfred Nandwa- (-2) 142
T2. Riz Charania- (-2) 142
T2. Simon Ngige- (-2) 14
T2. Dismas Indiza- (-2) 142
6. Greg Snow- (-1) 143
T7. David Odhiambo- (level par) 144
T7. Erick Ooko- (level par) 144
T7. Kenneth Bolo- (level par) 144
10. Hesbon Kutwa (+2) 145
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