South African Hotshots Roos, Palmer Buzzing For Karen Masters Glory

18th May 2019 - by SPN Correspondent

Former Kenya Open winner and defending tournament champion revved up for the Sunshine Tour showpiece that runs from June 26 to 30

Group Chief Operating Officer, Sam Makome follows his tee after launching the 2019 KCB Karen Masters on May 16, 2019 at Karen Country Club. PHOTO/Courtesy

SUMMARY

Roos won the Kenya Open at the same venue in 2014 and has high hopes of racking up his maiden Masters title when the biggest name of the biggest tour card in Africa descend on the Par 71 Karen Country Club course from June 26 and 30
Also in the mix is Zimbabwe’s Ryan Cairns. The professional golfer from, Royal Harare Golf Club was among the star attractions last year upon clinching the Hole-in-One prize, a brand new 3-litre 16 valve Toyota Land Cruiser Prado valued at KSh10.3 Million
Karen Masters Tournament Director Andy Watt has since announced a stellar entry comprising a huge chunk of South African high-flying professionals

NAIROBI, Kenya- Pretoria born Jake Roos and Johannesburg based Michael Palmer will be returning to the 2019 KCB Karen Masters that will be part of the Sunshine Tour for the second year with fond memories.

Roos won the Kenya Open at the same venue in 2014 and has high hopes of racking up his maiden Masters title when the biggest name of the biggest tour card in Africa descend on the Par 71 Karen Country Club course from June 26 and 30.

Roos clinched the 2014 Kenya Open in dramatic fashion with a gross total of 10 under par 278 while Palmer carded a remarkable last round of 5-under par 67 for a total 18-under par 270 to claim the coveted Karen Masters blue jacket last year.

Roos, wrapped up his spirited campaign on 12-under to finish seventh last year and his charge in Karen will be of keen interest having been the number one ranked South African amateur golfer before turning professional in 2005. He then joined the Sunshine Tour by finishing 4th at Q-school.

Roos and Palmer will face tough opposition from a field which will be itching to tee it up at one of Kenya’s most prestigious course.

Chief amongst them will be Daniel van Tonder, who won his first Sunshine Tour tournament in 2014 at the Investec Royal Swazi Open and Hennie du Plessis winner of the Vodacom Origins – Sishen in 2017.

Star attractions

Also in the mix is Zimbabwe’s Ryan Cairns. The professional golfer from, Royal Harare Golf Club was among the star attractions last year upon clinching the Hole-in-One prize, a brand new 3-litre 16 valve Toyota Land Cruiser Prado valued at KSh10.3 Million.

Karen Masters Tournament Director Andy Watt has since announced a stellar entry comprising a huge chunk of South African high-flying professionals.

“The entry list as of now is over-subscribed with 165 players. We will have 100 senior professionals coming from the Sunshine Tour to be joined by 27 Kenyan pros selected from Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) rankings,” said Watt.

Watt added that they will be targeting 5000 spectators this year up from the crowd of 2000 from last year in the event that has a KSh70m sponsorship deal from Kenya Commercial Bank.

There will be a cut on Friday, June 28 that will see 152 golfers reduced to 60, who will compete on the preceding last two rounds.