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Professional golfer Jacob Okello returned a two under par 70 in round one to go tied top of the leaderboard as the 2020 Safari Tour golf series teed off at the par 72 Limuru Country Club yesterday.

Golf Park’s David Wakhu recovered from a triple bogey at the par five-fourth hole, while Ganeev Giddie managed three birdies in the back nine to close the day tied with Okello in first place. 

“I am happy to have played well in the first round after a long layoff from competition.

I bogeyed a few holes, including the 18th which led to the tie but I am impressed with the overall performance,” expressed Okello who in 1998 came close to winning the Kenya Open but lost to Argentina’s Ricaldo Gonzalez in a play-off at Muthaiga Golf Club.

Meanwhile,  starting the day from the back nine, Wakhu, one of the locals who had qualified for the cancelled Magical Kenya Open, picked up four birdies at the tenth, 11th, 15th and 18th to carry to the front nine a decent four under par score. He then went five under after rolling a superb birdie at the third.

At the tough par five-fourth, he hit a fine tee-short and laid up with a seven-iron for the second.

He however hit a bad approach shot which caused the triple bogey eight, to eventually share the lead. 

“I will never forget that hole number four and I pray that it does not happen in round two.

I was playing well until I reached the fourth hole, but not to worry, there are more rounds to be played and I am hoping for a good week’’ said Wakhu. 

Giddie birdied the ninth, 12th, 13th and 15th with only two bogeys at the fourth and fifth holes.

The three leaders are likely to attract some following this week if they are able to carry the opening round form to the remaining part of the tournament.