Nkya takes lead in PG Tour final round

DAR ES SALAAM: FADHIL Nkya maintained his impressive form to take a commanding four-shot lead after the third round of the Lina Professional Golfers (PG) Tour Pro-Am tournament’s final series yesterday at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club (DGC) course.

The four-day, 72-hole tournament, which has brought together professional and elite amateur golfers from across Tanzania, enters its final round today.

Nkya has displayed consistent performance from day one, leading the professional category. In the elite amateur category, Isiaka Daudi of the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) from Lugalo, Dar es Salaam, leaped past overnight leader Ally Isanzu of TPC Moshi to take the top spot.

Nkya capitalised on his homecourse advantage, returning a three-over 74 yesterday to add to his earlier rounds of 69 and 73 to total plus 3. He now stands as the favorite to clinch his first title. “I prefer to wait and see how things unfold in the final round,” Nkya remarked.

The tournament, organised by the Said Nkya family in collaboration with the Tanzania Ladies Golf Union (TLGU), the Tanzania Professional Golfers Association (TPGA) and Penda Golf Tanzania, honors Lina Saidi Nkya, a former national team player who passed away on January 19, 2021, in Moshi.

Nkya, playing in memory of his late mother, Lina, entered the third round tied with Nuru Mollel of Arusha Gymkhana Club (AGC), one of the tournament’s favourites.

Mollel, who had an impressive one-under 70 in the first round and a one-over 72 in the second, shared the lead at level-par 142 after two rounds.

However, his hopes of securing a third title in the five-series tournament faded after a disappointing 13-over 84 yesterday, dropping him to eighth place, ten shots off the pace.

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With no possibility of a tie, the tournament will not feature a sudden-death playoff between the two top players. Meanwhile, Kili Golf Club’s Isaac Wanyeche remained consistent, sitting in second place at seven-over-par (72, 74, 74).

Host player Hassan Kadio climbed to third place at nineover-par after carding a 74 yesterday, followed by Frank Mwinuka of Lugalo at ten-over-par and Abdallah Yusuph, also from Lugalo, rounding out the top five at eleven-over-par.

In the elite amateur category, Daudi delivered a remarkable performance, carding an impressive 72 to take a six-shot lead over second-place Isanzu, who returned a 77 to total 14-over-par.

Fourth-series winner Enosh Wanyeche of Lugalo posted a 75 yesterday to sit third at 15-overpar, tied with George Sembi of TPC Moshi. DGC junior golfer Julius Mwinzani rounded out the top five at 20-over-par.

After his round, Daudi expressed confidence in his game: “I have no doubts about this competition. The competition is tough yes, but it’s nothing new to me.

There are small obstacles to overcome, but I’m ready for them.” As the tournament concludes today, all eyes will be on Nkya to see if he can secure his first professional title in honour of his late mother