Lejirmah grabs lead in Sunshine Tour second leg
John Lejirmah in action during the first round of the second leg of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing at the par-72 Ruiru Sports Club on June 9, 2025.
What you need to know:
- A total of 100 players had entered the tournament, though four withdrew for personal reasons and another four did not show up, leaving a field of 96 competitors battling for a share of the Sh2 million purse, with the winner set to take home Sh400,000.
Kenyan leading amateur John Lejirmah surged to an early lead as the second leg of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing teed off at the par-72 Ruiru Sports Club on Monday.
The Royal Nairobi Golf Club player, who finished fourth in the first leg at Thika Greens, fired an impressive six-under-par 66, thanks to eight birdies and just two bogeys, opening a four-shot lead over fellow amateur Michael Karanga of Ndumberi Golf Club.
Lejirmah dropped a shot at the par-four sixth hole, but recovered with birdies at the second, eighth, and ninth to make the turn at two-under.
On the back nine, he birdied the 10th but bogeyed the 12th before closing strong with four birdies in the last six holes — at the 13th, 14th, 17th, and 18th.
“I am happy to be back for the second leg of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing. I'm really pleased with how I held it together out there,” Lejirmah said.
“The front nine was smooth, my putting was hot, and I gave myself chances. Fairways, greens, and it all came together. The back nine was a bit slower—my putter cooled off a little—but I regrouped and finished strong.
I’ve learned from the last two events; I came fourth in the first leg. Each tournament is a lesson, and I’m here to build on that and come back stronger.”
Karanga, meanwhile, posted a two-under-par 70 despite struggling to convert several birdie chances. He birdied the 8th, 9th, and 13th holes but three-putted the 18th after a superb approach shot to drop a shot late in the round.
Three professionals — Tanzania’s Nuru Mollel, veteran Dismas Indiza, and first-leg winner Njoroge Kibugu — tied for third place on one-under-par 71.
Mollel recorded six birdies but was undone by four bogeys. Indiza, a seasoned pro, also made five birdies against four bogeys.
“The course is playing well,” said Indiza. “There’s opportunity out there to score, and I’ll be looking to improve some aspects of my play heading into Round Two.”
Kibugu started steadily with five pars, before making a birdie on the 6th. He followed with a bogey but recovered with a birdie on 9 to make the turn even.
On the back nine, he began brightly with consecutive birdies at the 10th and 11th, but back-to-back bogeys at the 15th and 16th halted his momentum. With two more rounds left, he remains in contention.
Seven players, including Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera, finished tied for sixth on level-par 72, setting up an intense Round Two on Tuesday.
Nsanzuwera, who was second at Thika Greens, is seen as a strong contender this week.
Among the six female entrants, Vipingo Ridge’s Naomi Wafula impressed with a one-over-par 73, tying for 13th place.
“After round one today, I’m happy with how I played,” Wafula said.
“Despite a triple bogey on hole seven, I managed to fight back and finish strong. That gave me confidence heading into tomorrow. I know I can shoot under par, and I’m going to work on a few things this evening to get ready for the second round.”
A total of 100 players had entered the tournament, though four withdrew for personal reasons and another four did not show up, leaving a field of 96 competitors battling for a share of the Sh2 million purse, with the winner set to take home Sh400,000.