Independence Day Golf: Vincent Torgah leads the way after a sparkling 63 in Round 1

PictureVincent Torgah

The heat was raised to its peak as the various players who have come from different parts of Africa in celebration of the Nigeria’s Independence, revealed their strength in the game.

The Ghanaian player leads the Championship after carding a record-setting score of 7-under 63 in the opening round of the 1st October Championship to take a three shots lead. Torgah began his game with a birdie in the first hole. He subsequently made an Eagle on hole 3 par 5. However he stumbled upon a boogie on hole 9 par 4, but that did not leave him short, as he proceeded to sink birdies on holes 10, and 3 straight birdies on holes 14, 15 and 16. He closed the game with a total of 1 Eagle, 6 birdies and 1 boogie. The 35 years old player is back to defend his title and take over the cup.

Chasing relatively closed was Visitor Mapwanya who posted halves of 34 and 32 on the front and back nine respectively, to finish the day with a blemish free 4-under 66. The Zimbabwean who took a break from the Tour earlier this year, was back to being 100 % focused on his golf since the “Shagamu Cup” last month. Visitor carded 4 birdies, on holes 1, 7, 14 and 15. He kept a clean card over the Port Harcourt golf course and grabbed just enough birdies to keep him in second place after round 1.

Gift Willy also made i a run! as he chases closely in third place. To start the tournament, the Port Harcourt based player rolled a birdie putt at the home hole to card a 3-under 67, leaving him 4 shots off the lead. The Nigerian is one of (if not the most) accomplished player never to have won a title on the Tour since joining in 2017. With 4 birdies and 1 boogie, he finished the round 1 stroke behind Mapwanya, maintaining his chances to win the tournament.

There was a long tie in the fourth place as 5 players struggled for the spot. Chukwudi Okoro, Solomon Ideriah, Christopher Francis, E.K Owusu and one time winner, Francis Epe kept the spot with level par 70.

Two other players carded 1-over par 71. The duo included two time winner on the Tour, Kingsley Oparaku and Atako Morgan of Port Harcourt golf club.

The layout at the Port Harcourt Golf Course has been prestigious as ever. The course which is hosting the African Tour for the second time this season, has been beautifully presented this week, and is delivering a firm but fair test of golf tournament,


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *