Editor's note: Due to a glitch in weekend operations, we failed to publish a report of the last day of the Kenya Open. Apologies for that and here it is now, updated with information that was not available at the weekend: Colin Farquharson
Hutcheon, Henderson tie
for fifth behind Pyman in
Tusker Kenya Open
North-east pair Greig Hutcheon (Peterculter) and Scott Henderson (Kings Links Golf Centre) finished joint fifth in the Challenge Tour's Tusker Kenya Open.
Hutcheon, after dropping back in the third round, came roaring up the final placings with a five-under-par round of 66 to hit the six-under-par 278 mark.
Henderson, pictured right, also finished on 278 after what he described as a "disappointing" last-day two-over-par 73. Both earned 6,624 Euros.
England's Iain Pyman, at one time a tip for stardom on the European Tour, won the title with a final round of 68 at Nairobi’s Karen Golf Club for a 12-under-par aggregate score of 272.
He was able to hold off the challenge of Austria’s Thomas Feyrsinger, who finished three shots back.
Overnight leader Daniel Barbetti of Argentina was unable to maintain his momentum, dropping back into a share of fifth place.
Overnight leader Daniel Barbetti of Argentina was unable to maintain his momentum, dropping back into a share of fifth place.
Pyman’s triumph was the eighth of his Challenge Tour career and the 35 year old, who picked up a cheque for €28,800 winner’s cheque, is now confident of acquitting himself well at his next European Tour event, the Madeira Islands Open BPI in Portugal.
He said: “It was nice to get the winning feeling back, and hopefully I can now take that form and confidence into the Madeira Open.
“After being three over par through six holes on the first day here, winning the tournament was probably the last thing on my mind – I was more worried about just making the cut!
“Obviously after my 63 on the second day, I knew I was in with a chance of winning. But it was probably my gutsy round yesterday, when I didn’t play well at all but still shot one under, which set me up for the win.”
Spain’s Rafael Cabrera Bello and Alexandre Rocha of Brazil were tied for third on seven under par after shooting final day rounds of 67.
He said: “It was nice to get the winning feeling back, and hopefully I can now take that form and confidence into the Madeira Open.
“After being three over par through six holes on the first day here, winning the tournament was probably the last thing on my mind – I was more worried about just making the cut!
“Obviously after my 63 on the second day, I knew I was in with a chance of winning. But it was probably my gutsy round yesterday, when I didn’t play well at all but still shot one under, which set me up for the win.”
Spain’s Rafael Cabrera Bello and Alexandre Rocha of Brazil were tied for third on seven under par after shooting final day rounds of 67.
Graeme Brown from Montrose finished well down the field on 295.
Scott Henderson told the "Press and Journal" later:
Scott Henderson told the "Press and Journal" later:
"I finished 86th on the Challenge Tour rankings last year with only the top 80 keeping a full card. I still have a category on the Challenge Tour and a place in the next event, which is in Argentina at the end of March.
"That's followed by another tournament in Argentina and one in Colombia. and I really need to be certain I have a place in all three fields before I commit myself to the expense of travelling to South American. Hopefully, I will be able to play in all three.
"That's followed by another tournament in Argentina and one in Colombia. and I really need to be certain I have a place in all three fields before I commit myself to the expense of travelling to South American. Hopefully, I will be able to play in all three.
"I was only two shots behind the leader with one round to go in Kenya and, given that position, I had hoped to do better. Sunday was a difficult day for me as a whole. My swing was not quite in sync.
"Because I was playing with the home favourite, Dismas Indiza on Sunday, there was a group of up to 500 local supporters whooping and hollering.
"The prime minister and president of Kenya also walked around with us. They could go where they wanted. I don't think any of the marshals were brave enough to tell them where not to go. The VIPs were well protected with around 30 men in black suits surrounding them.
"The prime minister and president of Kenya also walked around with us. They could go where they wanted. I don't think any of the marshals were brave enough to tell them where not to go. The VIPs were well protected with around 30 men in black suits surrounding them.
"It was an interesting day to say the least but the Kenyan crowd were great. They got right behind their man but were quiet and respectful when I was playing my shot.
"There was still a bit of movement to contend with and that is always difficult.
"It was great to be out on the Challenge Tour with Greig Hutcheon again. A lot of possible competititors did not travel to Kenya because of the reports of unrest but we did not encounter any problems. I love playing in Kenya and we received a typically warm African welcome."
FINAL TOTALS
FINAL TOTALS
Par 284 (4 x 71)
272 I Pyman (Eng) 71 63 70 68.
272 I Pyman (Eng) 71 63 70 68.
275 T Feyrsinger (Aut) 72 66 67 70.
277 A Rocha (Bra) 72 68 70 67, R Cabrera Bello (Esp) 74 69 67 67.
278 G Clark (Eng) 70 69 65 74, G Hutcheon (Sco) 67 70 75 66, S Henderson (Sco) 67 70 68 73, D Barbetti (Arg), G Boyd (Eng) 69 71 68 70.
279 D Indiza (Ken) 68 70 67 74, C Del Moral (Esp) 68 72 70 69, M Bothma (RSA) 69 72 68 70.
279 D Indiza (Ken) 68 70 67 74, C Del Moral (Esp) 68 72 70 69, M Bothma (RSA) 69 72 68 70.
280 J Skold (Swe) 72 66 73 69, L Bond (Wal) 71 68 67 74, M Higley (Eng) 70 71 69 70.
281 C Hanell (Swe) 73 67 70 71, A A Shah (Ken) 72 69 68 72, D Mormion (Eng) 70 74 70 67.
282 I van Weereelt (Ned) 69 75 69 69, A Bernadet (Fra) 73 70 71 68.
283 P Golding (Eng) 70 70 74 69, B Mason (Eng) 69 72 69 73, J Huldahl (Den) 71 72 70 70, D Horsey (Eng) 74 72 69 68, S Lewton (Eng) 70 66 72 75.
284 J Hepworth (Eng) 69 75 66 74, W Schauman (Swe) 71 71 71 71, G Davies (Eng) 75 66 72 71, P Gasnier (Bra) 72 68 71 73, O Whitely (Eng) 72 71 72 69.
285 T Charamba (Zim) 69 73 73 70, M Cort (Eng) 72 73 69 71, B Alvarado (Chi) 70 73 71 71, A Bossert (Sui) 72 70 71 72; A Gee (Eng) 74 69 74 68; L Jensen (Den) 72 72 72 69; D Odhiambo (Ken) 75 71 69 70.
286 A Shah (Ken) 75 71 67 73; N Savic (Srb) 75 70 69 72; A Marshall (Eng); J Quesne (Fra) 69 72 73 72; W Besseling (Ned) 73 71 70 72; G Jackson (Eng) 74 72 70 70; R Karlberg (Swe); 67 75 72 72.
287 R Ainley (Ken) 70 76 71 70; K Le Sager (Fra) 73 70 68 76; J Heath (Eng) 69 76 73 69; T Remkes (Ned) 74 72 72 69.
288 K L Jorgensen (Den) 74 70 70 74; J-N Billot (Fra) 72 71 74 71; W Bladon (Eng) 72 72 74 70.
289 D Dixon (Eng) 71 75 75 68; L Corfield (Eng) 69 77 70 73; G Acosta (Arg) 75 71 72 71; J Little (Eng) 71 74 72 72; R Swane (Ned) 71 72 71 75.
290 A Andersson (Swe) 69 71 72 78; T Milford (Eng) 72 72 73 73; S P Webster (Eng) 69 74 74 73; A Grenier (Fra) 70 72 74 74; A Butterfield (Eng) 72 73 73 72.
290 A Andersson (Swe) 69 71 72 78; T Milford (Eng) 72 72 73 73; S P Webster (Eng) 69 74 74 73; A Grenier (Fra) 70 72 74 74; A Butterfield (Eng) 72 73 73 72.
291 A Melly (Eng) 70 73 74 74; A Kimani (Ken) 74 71 70 76; D Wardop (Eng) 72 73 75 71; O Floren (Swe) 73 72 76 70.
292 H Rey (Arg) 75 71 72 74.
294 R Santos (Por) 77 68 75 74.
295 C Thethery (Ken) 74 72 74 75; G Brown (Sco) 73 73 77 72.
297 P Pinto (Arg) 70 74 76 77.
302 N Drane (Eng) 75 71 75 81
SANDY LYLE EARNS $3,655 ON
US SENIORS DEBUT
Sandy Lyle shot level par 213 for three rounds over a par-71 course but finished only joint 54th on his US Champions (Seniors) Tour debut at the weekend in the Toshiba Classic at Newport Beach, California.
That's how high the standard of play is on the over-50s circuit over there.
Sandy had scores of 70, 72 and 71 to earn $3,655, the same as Irishman Des Smyth who scored 73, 68 and 72 for 213.
They finished ahead of players such as Gary Player (216) and Fuzzy Zoeller (221).
The American seniors' circuit also offers rich rewards for success. Bernhard Langer went back to his Florida home with a cheque for $255,000 after he beat American Jay Haas in a marathon play-off (at the seventh extra hole).
They had tied on 14-under-par 199 - great scoring - at the end of the regulation 54 holes.
The German ace had scores of 65, 65 and 69; Haas 65, 69 and 65.
The American earned $149,600.
Joint third on 202, which earned them $102,000 each were Ben Crenshaw (66-69-67) and Gary McCord (68-67-67).
Keep practising, Sandy!
Labels: CHALLENGE TOUR
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