1st October Golf Championship: Ghana’s Torgah extend lead as Willy, Mapwanya chase closely

1st October Golf Championship: Ghana’s Torgah extend lead as Willy, Mapwanya chase closely

Golf

By Victor Okoye

Abuja, Sept. 30, 2019 (NAN) Ghanaian Vincent Torgah has extended his lead at the top of the leader board with a second round of 5-under 65 at par 70 at the 1st October Golf Championship in Port Harcourt.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the championship which teed off on Saturday at the prestigious Port Harcourt golf club is expected to end on Tuesday.

Edwin Osuhor, Tournament Director of the African Tour, on Sunday said Torgah who was at the top of the leaderboard after the first round, didn’t seem to leave any one in doubt of his abilities and intention.

“Mr. Consistency himself has indeed left no one in doubt of his intention to add this year’s tittle to his cabinet of trophies.

“This was after he shot a record setting opening round of 7-under 63, followed it up with a second round of 5-under 65 at the Par 70 Port Harcourt Golf Course.

“The Ghanaian leads the field by 6 strokes after featuring six birdies, eleven pars and a single blemish on the eleventh hole where he had to settle for a bogey,” he said.

Osuhor said Torgah was closely followed by the pair of Nigeria’s Gift Willy and Zimbabwean Visitor Mapwanya.

“Meanwhile Port Harcourt based player Willy moved up the leaderboard by a single spot after carding a successive 3-under 67 in the second round to join Zimbabwean Mapwanya who shot a 2-undert 68.

“Both player’s tied for second at 6-under after 36 holes.

“Chukwudi Okoro of Benin Golf Club, who also had a runner up finish at the 2018 African Tour’s (Nigeria Masters) event, kept a clean card in the second round.

“This was after he returned a 3-under 67 leaving him solo 4th on the leaderboard and 9 shots behind the pace setter Torgah.

“After a first round 4-over, four time winner on the Tour, Sunday Olapade posted a brilliant 3-under 67 to tie Kabiru Haruna who also carded a 69.

“Both players are 5th position heading into the moving day of the tournament,” he said.

The tournament director added that two other players also beat the course on day two.

“Veteran golfer Emos Korblah and Friday Akpodiete of Ikoyi Golf Club carded pairs of 69’s with both players now 9th and 13th positions respectively heading into the third round of the championship.

“It has indeed been a day of excellent display of professionalism from all players participating in this year’s edition of the African Tour’s 1st October Championship,” he said.

NAN reports that with just four events left before curtains fall on the 2019 Tour season, all players will be looking to win.

Winning will help them improve their positions on the Order of Merit as this tournament offers 4,000 merit points. (NAN)