Godwin Okoko of the Otukpo Golf Club on Thursday held a three-shot lead at the end of the second round of the 13th IBB Junior Open Championship, as he targets a second consecutive title at the tournament in Abuja.
The 16-year-old, who won the tournament’s 2019 edition, played a seven over course par over two days in the Boys Category, consisting of players aged 16 to 18 years.
Both Okoko and John Alex, also of Otukpo Golf Club, had posted the same score of 75 at the end of proceedings on day one, but Okoko led him by four shots after posting a score of 76 against Alex’s 80 on day two.
Okoko started very well and was on level par playing hole four, but ended up playing five over on the first nine and two under on the back nine to tie Alex at the end of proceedings on day one.
Alex had also struggled on the front nine on day one, after playing three over par on the first four holes.
Isife Chinonye, from the Enugu Golf Club, shot to the second spot after posting a score of 77 and 77 for a gross of 154, while Okoko played one over to take the lead on the first nine and finished another three over, for total gross of 151.
Related Articles
Alex played two over course par and finished six over on the back nine for a gross of 155, to finish third at the end of proceedings on day two.
In the girl’s category 1, for players aged 16 to 18 years, Janet Ali of Otukpo Golf Club, who led the pack after playing 17 over par on day one for 89 gross, failed to hold on to top spot on the leader board at the end of proceedings on day two.
She played 14 over par for a score of 86 and a total gross of 175 as Iyene. E of IBB Golf Club surpassed her with a two shot lead, after posting a score of 90 and 83 respectively for a total gross of 173 over two days.
Joy Akatu of the Otukpo Golf Club is presently third with a total gross of 190, after posting a score of 97 and 93 over two rounds.
The three-day tournament, in its 13th edition, with no fewer than 130 players competing at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, teed off on Wednesday and is expected to end on Friday.
