Fast Finish for Bekker in Kenya

Oliver Bekker shot a good closing round of two-under par 69 to secure a share of sixth spot, two shots behind the eventual winner, Lorenzo Gagli at Barclays Kenya Open, Muthaiga Golf Club, on Sunday.

Bekker climbed the leaderboard after making birdies on holes four, seven, 10 and 17. The round was spoilt by only two bogeys on eight and 14 which in the end put him in a share of sixth with the 2016 Barclays Kenya Open winner, Sebastian Soderberg of Sweden.

The seven-time Sunshine Tour winner’s effort is a good start to the new Challenge Tour season after he won three times on the Sunshine Tour last season and he sets out to try and play his way onto the European Tour.

Bekker made the cut on the number after an opening round of three-over 74 was followed by a two-under 69. It was his third round which catapulted him into contention. An eight-under 63 in the third round catapulted him into contention. His closing 69 left him just out the the play-off

The Italian Gagli’s victory came on the third play-off hole in what was his first European Challenge Tour win. He defeated the Swede Jens Fahrbring.

Another South African who did well in the field was Trever Fisher Jnr who carded a final round of 69 to secure a share of sixth with eight others, who included Laurie Canter, Anton Karlsson, Max Orrin, Victor Riu and Matthias Schwab.

Also finishing well was the 2018 winner of the Dimension Data Pro-Am Jaco Ahlers who shared 28th with fellow South African Peter Karmis, Matthew Baldwin of England, Dean Huizing of the Netherlands, Stuart Manley of Wales, Jack Munro of Australia and Joel Stalter of France.

With a solid start like he has had, Bekker will hope to ride the momentum through to the season opening tournament of the Sunshine Tour, the Zanaco Masters which tees off on April 12 in Lusaka, Zambia.

  • Luke Walker – SunshineTour.com

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