After completing the penultimate round of the Kenya Open presented by ABSA, Darius Van Driel, one of the joint leaders, expressed calmness and confidence heading into the tournament’s final round.
Van Driel, a Dutchman, maintained his composure as he finished the 18th green, emphasizing his intention to stick to his game plan and focus on hitting the fairways more consistently in Sunday’s closing round.
Having led the tournament since Thursday’s first round, Van Driel faced a challenge to his lead with a three-way tie emerging on Friday. Alongside Manuel Elvira of Spain, he heads into the final round sharing the lead, both seeking their first DP World Tour victory.
Reflecting on his experience in Kenya, where he previously participated in the Challenge Tour Kenya Open, Van Driel expressed his comfort with the course, particularly at Muthaiga. He remarked, “It’s a nice course. I have been playing here since 2016, so I always played well in Kenya.”
Despite the pressure of leading, Van Driel remained composed, stating, “The day was very solid. I didn’t make any mistakes. I gave myself a lot of chances, didn’t hold a lot of putts. The most important thing is that I am up there and I have to play for tomorrow.”
When asked about his strategy against his competitors, Van Driel reiterated his intention to maintain his approach without succumbing to pressure. “I will still play my own game, I mean, no pressure. There are too many close, but I am going to stick to my old plan,” he affirmed.
Van Driel’s consistent performance saw him carding a bogey-free 68 to reach ten under, matching the score of Spaniard Manuel Elvira, who also signed for a 67 with six birdies and two bogeys.
With several contenders vying for their first victories, including England’s Joe Dean, Scot Connor Syme, and South African Ryan van Velzen, the final round promises to be an intense battle for the title.
Manuel Elvira expressed satisfaction with his performance, saying, “That was a really good day… Being on top positions with my brother is really good.”
As the tournament heads into its final day, the leaderboard remains tightly contested, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the Kenya Open.
