Nigeria's Odoh edges Ghana's Korblah to win at Glo Golf Tour

Nigerian pro golfers Gboyega Oyebanji and Andrew Oche Odoh having a conversation during a tournament sometime ago

Former number one golfer in Nigeria, Andrew Oche Odoh at the weekend bounced back to winning ways as he edged Ghana’s Emos Korblah to win the second leg of the Glo Golf Tour West Africa 2012 at the Sagamu Golf Club, Ogun State.

Odoh, who was in sixth place after Round 3 and far behind leaders Gboyega Oyebanji on 4 under 209 and Gift Willie on 3 under 210, fired back purposefully to win the giant slice of the N10 million prize for the pros in Sagamu after 72 holes.

Odoh, who has represented Nigeria at many international tournaments, shot an impressive 69 on the day it mattered most to finish the final Round at 3 under 281.

While Odoh did enough to win, Oyebanji threw away a 5-shot lead on count back at the beautiful Sagamu golf course, acclaimed for its landscaping and topography.

Going to Hole 11, Oyebanji had built a solid lead but fizzled out when after recording a double bogey at Holes 12 and 13, cutting down his lead to half.

While the IBB Golf Club based Odoh, held his nerve to keep his 3 under on to Hole 18 where he maintained par, his club mate, Oyebanji dropped more shots to finish 1 under 283 in the second place.

First runner-up of the Asaba leg of Glo Golf Tour West Africa, Nigerian-based Ghanaian golfer, Emos Korblah was also affected by the extremely hot weather and undulating course and finished third with 284 to par the course.

His compatriot, Vincent Torgah; winner of the first leg in Asaba could only manage a joint fourth position (T4) with Air Assault Port Harcourt star, Gift Willy. Both shot 285 one over par.

Shortly after Odoh was officially declared winner, he explained that he tried to play safe, knowing that the course could be tough.

“I played cautiously because the course here is tricky and tough. I did all I had to do to keep my par and not to be too ambitious knowing that it is easy to underrate this course and l am glad it worked out fine for me,”  he said.  

He also praised Globacom for setting up the Glo Golf Tour which he said has motivated West Africa’s golfers to improve on their game.

Glo is offering N62.5m as prize money for West African golfers in a four-city tour. From Sagamu, the tournament moves to Abuja on Tuesday.