Kubwa’s big dreams of clinching Open ticket

Having recovered from a shoulder injury, Geoffrey Kubwa has exuded confidence he will face the remaining six legs of the 2020 Safari Tour series to book a ticket to next year’s Magical Kenya Open. 

Kubwa missed the 2019 Magical Kenya Open event which was making its debut in the main European Tour and  finished just outside the top 8 in the 2020 qualifiers. 

He, however, had a chance to feature in the event before it was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic as the organisers had asked him to prepare, anticipating an increase in the number of slots the locals were set to get to play in the Open.  

The Muthaiga Club golfer carried forward 36.3 points from the 2018/19 and 2019/20 season that count for 10 and 20 per cent of the final points tally in next year’s Open qualifier. 

He began the 2020 Safari Tour with an eighth place finish at Limuru to earn 25.2 points,  missed the cut at Royal and Vet Lab before playing for a 12th place finish at Sigona for 21.5 points.  He is currently placed 17th on the log with a total of 69 points.  

 “I played with a shoulder injury which I did not figure out in good time and that contributed to the poor showing especially at Royal and Vet Lab.  

This break has given me time to recover and my body is in good condition now.

The next six events are crucial and I have to post good results.  I am,  however, positive about my game,” Kubwa said in an interview. 

 As he looks forward to playing alongside his younger brother, Vet Lab’s Isaac Makokha, who booked a slot in the Open after winning the Kenya Amateur Matchplay Championship in September, Kubwa is working to get his game better. 

 “Putting has been a weak link in my game and I am currently working on that while doing morning runs to improve my endurance. 

My focus right now is the Uganda Open scheduled for December 3. I have played on that course before and I have a game plan for it.

Qualifying for the Open will be a moment of pride, playing alongside Isaac who has worked hard to get here,” added Kubwa. 

The 30-year old plans to be in Uganda two or three days before the competition tees off. According to Kubwa, the Ugandan course is very challenging.

The greens are different in texture from those he is used to in Nairobi hence the need for some practice rounds before getting into competition.  

 If he qualifiers for the 2021 Open,  Kubwa will be making his fifth appearance at. Before playing in 2017 and 2018 as a pro,  he had featured in the 2015 and 2016 edition when it was still a Challenge Tour event as a top amateur.