Odek outlasts Lejirma in dramatic Nyali Open playoff
.jpg)
Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 15.12.25. | 10:36
Looking ahead, the 2026 calendar will feature 33 events following the addition of the Ulinzi Open, scheduled for March at the Kenya Air Force Golf Club, and the Machakos Open set for April
Home player William Odek brought the 2025 golf season to a thrilling close after edging out Kenya Amateur Golf Championship Series winner John Lejirma in a gripping playoff to claim the NCBA Nyali Open title at Nyali Golf and Country Club.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news
Odek and Lejirma finished the three rounds tied at four over par 217, forcing a tense three-hole aggregate playoff that spilled into sudden death.
After matching each other shot for shot on the 18th hole twice, the contest was finally decided on the third sudden-death return down the same hole.
The decisive moment came when Lejirma abandoned his earlier conservative approach and went flag-hunting from the tee, pulling his shot left and into trouble behind the bunker.
Odek, showing remarkable composure, found the heart of the green and safely rolled in his par as Lejirma dropped a bogey, bringing the defending champion’s reign at Nyali to an end.
Odek’s final round was a dramatic mix of highs and lows. He opened strongly with a birdie at the second hole but then endured a run of dropped shots at the third, fourth, sixth, eighth and tenth.
Momentum swung sharply in his favour with a crucial eagle on the 11th, which kept him in contention until Lejirma clawed back to draw level on the 17th and force the playoff.
“I started well with a par and then a birdie, but a series of bogeys followed,” Odek said after his victory. “After getting the eagle, I knew I had to settle down and hold steady, which is what I did. The playoff against Lejirma was intense, but I am happy to have come out on top.”
Lejirma’s challenge was equally compelling. His round began poorly with a damaging triple bogey at the fourth, but the 2025 KAGC Series champion displayed his resilience and class with birdies at the ninth, 11th, 13th and 17th to surge back into contention.
“It is been a long year full of lessons, not just for me but for everyone who has walked this journey with me,” Lejirma said. “I am looking forward to playing the Magical Kenya Open next. I will keep it simple and trust my swing.”
NCBA Group Director for Marketing, Communications, and Citizenship, Nelly Wainaina, praised the quality of play and reaffirmed the bank’s continued support for amateur golf.
“Today we witnessed a spectacular display of golf from Odek, Lejirma and Kamais,” Wainaina said. “The playoff was even more intense, and that is exactly why we support the KAGC Series. This is our third year backing the series, and we will continue to do so to ensure amateurs not only have a platform to compete but also an opportunity to earn a living from the sport.”
Nakuru’s John Kamais had set the early pace after firing a course-record seven-under-par 64 on Saturday to lead going into the final round.
However, a double bogey at the fourth followed by further dropped shots at the seventh, eighth, 10th, 12th and 16th saw him slip to third overall.
Njoro Country Club’s Mercy Nyanchama also impressed, posting rounds of 73, 75 and 73 for a total of eight over par 221 to finish fourth. Felix Dusabe and Michael Karanga were tied for fifth, one stroke further back.
Looking ahead, the 2026 calendar will feature 33 events following the addition of the Ulinzi Open, scheduled for March at the Kenya Air Force Golf Club, and the Machakos Open set for April.
.jpg)
