Nigeria’s Okoko first West African to win an East Africa Swing

Nigeria’s Godwin Okoko narrowly beat Kenya’s Simon Njogu to become the first West African player to win an East Africa Swing event on the Sunshine Development Tour at Nakuru Golf Club yesterday.

Okoko is one of several Nigerian players currently camping in Kenya to participate in the SDT Series and earn world ranking points. During the final round of the SDT Rift Valley Championship at Nakuru Golf Club, Okoko scored five under par 68, giving him a total of 10 under par 209 over three rounds, beating his Kenyan rival Njogu by one shot.

Okoko, from Lakowe Lakes Golf and Country Estate in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, began the day’s final round with a score of one under par 35 for the front nine, which included birdies on the third, fourth and sixth holes, as well as two bogeys on the fifth and eighth holes.

Despite dropping a shot at the 12th and 16th holes, two early birdies at the 10th and 11th holes, and a late birdie at the 17th hole were enough to secure him the top cash prize of Sh400,000, and 210 points towards the SDT Order of Merit.

Okoko is ranked second in this order, with 654 points, behind Rwandan Celestin Nsanzuwera who has 791 points.

“I’m happy to have won my first title on the Sunshine Development Tour. I’ve been working hard throughout the season, and it feels good to win,” Okoko said.

Njogu, from Ngong Racecourse Golf Park, tied with Okoko on five under par during the second round.

Follow ourWhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.