A thrilling finish to the NCBA Kabete Open 2024 saw Adel Balala of Nyali Golf Club emerge victorious in a sudden-death playoff against defending champion Michael Karanga of Kiambu Golf Club.
Both golfers ended the three-day Kenya Amateur Golf Championships (KAGC) series tournament tied at four-over-par 220, forcing a playoff on holes 1, 17, and 18. Each hole resulted in a tie, with Balala dropping two shots on the first hole while Karanga bogeyed. Both players parred the 17th, pushing the decision to the 18th hole.
In a dramatic sudden-death playoff on the 18th, both players birdied the first attempt. They returned to the same hole, where Balala held his nerve with a par, while Karanga faltered with a bogey, handing Balala the coveted title.
Balala’s victory was a tale of two halves.
He shot an impressive two-under-par 70 in both the first and second rounds before dropping eight strokes in the final round. Karanga, meanwhile, started slow with a three-over-par 75 but climbed the leaderboard with a one-under-par 71 in the final round.
The tournament, sponsored by NCBA Bank as title sponsors, attracted an impressive field of 133 players from Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and the United Kingdom.
The event was a qualifying tournament for the World Amateur Golf Championship as well as the local KAGC ranking, adding to its significance and prestige.
Leader board after final round:
-
Adel Balala (Nyali) 70, 70, 80= 220
-
Michael Karanga (Kiambu) 75, 74, 71= 220
-
Joseph Cwinyaai (UGA) 69, 73, 83=225
T4. Josphat Rono (Golf Park) 78, 72, 76= 226
T4. Krish Shah (Vetlab) 77, 75, 74= 226
6. Jean D’Amour (Kigali, RWA) 74, 77, 76= 227
T7. Shashwat Harish (Muthaiga) 79, 75, 74= 228
T7. Isaac Makokha (Vetlab) 76, 76, 76= 228
T9. Micahel Alunga (UGA) 77, 76, 76= 229
T9. James Mwangi (Golf Park) 77, 75, 77= 229
T9. John Lejirma (Kenya Railways) 76, 78, 75=229
T9. Elvis Muigua (Kiambu) 76, 76, 77= 229
