Mudanyi relishing his chances
Vet Lab Club’s Edwin Mudanyi was anxious when he got called up yesterday as a reserve to represent Kenya in the 2022 Magical Kenya Open today.
Despite not having made the formal eight-member team of professionals representing the country, Mudanyi was always working on his overall game especially after a not-so-great finish to the Safari Tour that closed last month.
The 27-year-old now has a chance to prove himself as the tournament proper starts this morning with the player lined up against Rhys Enoch of Wales and Andrew Wilson of England in game number 34.
“I had few expectations to play here but since I was called, I have been preparing. My last two tournaments were not good, but I have been sharpening my overall play. This is a huge opportunity for me, and I will certainly give it a go. The course looks good and it can be anyone’s game depending on approach,” he stated.
He added; “Golf is a game of numbers so I will go out there prepared. Like everybody else, I am looking at making the cut. This is a low scoring course and it has top premium layers as well so we cannot say it favours anybody. Golf today is more of a mental game. I want to forget the last season and focus fully on my game because I feel in shape.”
Meanwhile the Magical Kenya Open round one and two draw is officially out with Kenyans Taimur Malik (amateur) and David Wakhu (professional) first for the home team at 7.20am and 7.30am respectively.
Malik, who had a feel of the course yesterday, is feeling optimistic ahead of today’s match-up against Irishman Paul Dunne and Chinese player Zheng-kai BAI.
“I feel okay and so far all is good. Yesterday was all about sharpening and learning the outlay of the course. So we are looking positively ahead hoping for a good tournament,” he said.
The next Kenyan is Michael Karanga (amateur) of Kiambu Golf Club who will tee-off at 7.30am before Jasta Madoya of Great Rift Valley Golf Lodge Resort comes in at 7.40am. Zimbabwean Robson Chinhoi who is the reigning Safari Tour champion and a member of Royal Harare Golf Club will play alongside Aashun Wu of China and Joachim Hansen of Denmark.
Another Kenyans playing today are Daniel Nduva who will tee-off at 12.20pm alongside Angel Hidalgo of Spain and South African ace Thriston Lawrence of Nelspruit Golf Club.
Kenyan veteran Dismas Indiza of Mumias Golf Club comes in at 12.40pm and Golf Park’s Eric Obura starts at 3.20 pm.
Two-time Kenya Open champion Justin Harding from South Africa starts his journey to retain his title at 1pm. The player who is a member of Stellenbosch Golf Club goes up against Shubhankar Sharma of India and Adrian Meronk of Poland. He now eyes the prize money of Sh27 million as the battle to make the cut officially starts.
