Nigerian golfer Godwin Okoko has made historical past by way of changing into the primary West African participant to win an tournament at the Sunshine Building Excursion’s East Africa Swing, strengthening his place within the race for a leap forward at the skilled golfing circuit.
The 24-year-old secured his maiden skilled identify on the Rift Valley Championship, which ended at Nakuru Golfing Membership in Kenya on Tuesday, October 27, after completing one stroke forward of house favorite Simon Njogu.
Okoko carded a 5 underneath par 68 within the last around to complete on 10 underneath par 209, claiming victory within the 8th leg of the excursion’s East Africa Swing.
His triumph carries importance past the identify itself, as Nigerian golfers proceed to compete on a circuit that provides alternatives to earn score issues and development in opposition to the primary Sunshine Excursion.
Consistent with experiences from Kenya’s Day-to-day Country, Okoko now occupies 2nd position at the East Africa Swing Order of Advantage with 654 issues, at the back of Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera, who leads with 791 issues.
The standings supply some other measure of Okoko’s development this season, even though he nonetheless faces pageant because the excursion continues.
His victory was once secured thru a robust final-round efficiency that integrated six birdies and an eagle at the sixteenth hollow. Regardless of shedding photographs at the 5th, 8th and twelfth holes, he maintained his merit to complete forward of Njogu, who returned a complete of 210.
Okoko’s success has additionally drawn reputation from the Nigeria Golfing Federation, whose president, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, described the victory as a vital milestone for Nigerian golfing.
The federation has promised to praise the golfer upon his go back to Nigeria, whilst acknowledging the contribution of his instructor, Professional Dominic, to his construction.
Past the popularity, Okoko’s subsequent problem will likely be to construct at the victory and deal with his place within the standings as he pursues additional alternatives at the skilled circuit.
He’s anticipated to go back to pageant on the Alpha Bravo Golfing Vintage, scheduled for November 18–21 at Lakowe Lakes Golfing Property in Lagos.
For Nigerian golfing, Okoko’s leap forward provides a notable consequence on overseas soil. Whether or not he can flip the success into sustained development at the excursion would be the subsequent check of his rising skilled occupation.