Home player William Odek wins Nyali Open Golf Championship

Home player William Odek beat defending champion John Lejirmah in the third hole of sudden-death play-off, to become the new winner of Nyali Open Golf Championship.

In the final round of the 54-hole Nyali Open tournament which also doubled up as the grand finale of the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series, both Odek and Lejirmah, who is Kenya’s number one amateur golfer, had carded two over par 73 for an all-round total of four over par 217 gross.

This led to the first three-hole-play off at the 13th, 14th and 18th holes, which attracted a big crowd. Both golfers picked up pars in the three-hole play-off, forcing the one-hole sudden-death play-off at the 18th. Both players again tied with pars in the first two sessions. However, in the third attempt, Lejirmah fired to the right rough of the green while Odek was eight feet from the pin.

Lejirmah then chipped to the green but missed the par while Odek rolled a footer for a par to clinch the title.

“I would have taken the title without play-offs if I did not miss the birdie at the 17th hole where Lejirmah caught up with me, having taken the lead at the 11th hole. I am happy all the same that I was able to keep the Nyali Open trophy at home,” said Odek. He said that winning the Kilifi Governor’s Cup in Malindi last weekend had motivated him to play well, and he spent many hours on the course preparing for Nyali Open tournament.

Odek, who was previously based at Nyanza Golf Club in Kisumu, had led in the event after firing level par 71 in the opening round. He however dropped to tying second with Lejirmah in the second round where Nakuru’s John Kamais went up after firing a course record of seven under par 64.

“Now that Lejirmah is turning pro after next year’s Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship, I would like yo work hard and take his place as the leading amateur in the country. I know I can do it with if I keep on practising the way I did these last few days.”

He thanked his fellow golfers from Nyali Club for their support in the tournament. He reserved special praise for Germany-based Universal Lighthouse which has been supporting him and other five players at Nyali Club. Besides supporting Odek, the organisation has supported Kalamu Choyo, Dickson Baraza, John Timbe, and Solomon Majanga.

“I am humbled by the support I have received from the club member, and our sponsors Universal Lighthouse,” Odek, who is currently placed in 26th in the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship series, said. For his victory, he took home Sh120,000 and 200 points towards the KAGC series Order of Merit.

Lejirmah, who has won nine tournaments out of the 20 events he played this year, got120 points for a total of 2,130 points which earned him the “Golfer of The Year 2025’’ title. In addition Lejirmah took home Sh70,000.

Meanwhile round two leader John Kamais eventually finished in third place with six over par 219, to win Sh45,000 plus 80 points towards the KAGC series. A total of 33 players had made the second round cut in the NCBA sponsored event.

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