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Golf Park resident professional David Wakhu, who was one of the key local prospects at the 53rd edition of the Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship, yesterday blamed his fractured right hand for a shocking first round score of seven over par 78 at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club.

The long hitter who dominated the early rounds of the Safari Golf Tour last year had been tipped to make an impact at this year’s showpiece, but after a disappointing first round, he remains highly unlikely to make the cut during today’s second round.

“I fractured my right arm recently and I removed the cast just two weeks ago. Since then I have only practised six times and today I was feeling a lot of pain on the heeling hand that is why I didn’t play well. However, I am very proud and honoured to feature at this major tournament. I will surely bounce back next year,” Wakhu told People Sport.

The player who has not made the cut in the last four Open events, had three bogeys and a double bogey in the first nine. In the second nine he played a double bogey on the par three 11th hole, had a bogey on the par four 14th hole, before trying to redeem himself with two back-to-back birdies on the par four 17th and par five 18th holes.

Amateur player Kibugu Njoroge surprised many to finish as the best placed Kenyan player after the first round on one under par 70, while Greg Snow was the second best placed local player and the best placed Kenyan pro on level par. Kibugu, 18, who is a member of Muthaiga Golf Club, resisted pressure from a huge group of fans to reign supreme against the big boys.

He started on a wrong note after posting a bogey on the first hole, a par four, played a par on the second hole, and then sank back-to-back birdies on the par four third hole and par five hole four for a score of 35 in the first nine. In the second nine he dropped a shot on the par three hole 16 and recovered with a birdie on the par five 18th hole as he played level par on the other holes.

Snow who is member of the club managed six birdies, but had four bogeys and a double bogey to settle for joint 65th position after the first day and Adel Balala, Erick Ooko and Samuel Njoroge were the third best placed local players tied on 86th position after the first day.