Grieving Ooko keen to bounce back
After blowing hot and cold in the past three Safari Tour golf series events held in Limuru, Royal Nairobi and Vet Lab, Golf Park’s Erick Ooko believes he will get his momentum back when action begins at Sigona Golf Club on Sunday.
Ooko began the series on a low, missing cut by three shots at the Limuru course.
He had ‘home’ advantage at Royal, being his former course where he finished fourth after four rounds of golf, having tied top on the second round. At VetLab, he missed the cut by a single shot.
“I have been struggling a bit with my game but I am not worried at all. In Limuru I was not yet settled, having just lost my father, but I am coping better now.
At Royal it felt like I was playing at home since I left the club for Golf Park in March this year.
At Vet Lab, I had a difficult first round where I ended up carding eight over par, but recovered to play par on the second round.
However, it was not good enough to make cut,” said Ooko.
He continued, “I am able to swing well and I am confident of a good game at Sigona.
To avoid playing under pressure, I am not putting any expectations on myself for the leg.
“I have been playing there every Sunday with a friend so I know my way around the holes. It is my favourite course and I will be out to have fun there.”
On his part, Great Rift Valley’s Jastas Madoya has set his sights on a top five finish at Sigona. Madoya finished 19th at 2 over par 309 in Limuru but missed cut at Royal.
At Vet Lab, he made cut and went on to finish tenth after posting scores of 74,76,77 and 71 for a 10 over par 298.
“I have been unwell for the last three months and had just got diagnosed with malaria when the series was teeing off. My performance was greatly affected by that but I am getting better now.
My final round at Vet Lab gives me the confidence that I will have a good game at Sigona. I am targeting a top five finish,” said Madoya.
Muthaiga’s Greg Snow, Zimbabwean Robson Chonhoi and Mumias’s Dismas Indiza have lifted the first three trophies, respectively.
