Tim Sluiter came within a whisker of mastering Karen Country Club and claiming the Barclays Kenya Open title in 2013, missing an eagle putt at the last as Jordi Garcia Pinto claimed victory. The Dutchman returns this week, and he talks us through the ins and outs of the Nairobi venue.
“It’s a great test, especially because it’s everybody’s first event so it’s a good place to see where everybody’s game is.”
Course changes since 2013
“It’s in great shape. They made the third a par five again even though it was a good, tough par four last year but I suppose mentally it makes it a little easier now.
“I really like the change on the fourth hole, it’s about 50 yards longer and it’s really good. The course is not playing easy, especially when the greens firm up. You have to be accurate to get the birdie chances out there.”
Toughest hole
“It’s hard to say now that the third has been changed to a par five. It’s probably the sixth now. It’s a dead straight par four but it’s usually into the wind and it’s quite long, longer than the others.
“The tee shot sets up a little harder with big trees on the left and bushes on the right. Last year, first round I went driver and then after that I went with three wood. I’ll have to see when I get out there on the tee, but I think I’ll probably go with driver. That will leave me with an eight iron but because it’s into the wind, that makes it tough.”
Favourite hole
“I haven’t really thought about which one is my favourite. I really like the short par three 14th. I liked the third as a par four but it’s still the same hole so it’s a really good one. I like the ninth and the 18th too.”
Winning score this year
“It depends. If the greens stay as soft as they are I think it’s going to be lower than last year and it will depend on the wind too because it’s been windy in the afternoons here for the past couple of days, so the score could go higher because of that.
“The greens are better than last year and hopefully they will firm up like they did last time. The fairways are a bit softer so I could be hitting more three woods off the tees where last year I might have hit two iron.”
The final hole
“I really like what they’ve done to the 18th, putting in a new water feature. It makes the lay-up a little bit tougher so it’s more daunting. If your drive is good you can still go for it but if now, you have to lay up so I think it’s a really good addition.
“It’s definitely a good finishing hole, especially now with the water. A bad drive and you have to think a little more than last year.”
