George Murray third in Kenyan Open as Spain’s Pinto wins

George Murray carded a two-under-par final round of 69 
at the Barclays Kenya Open to finish in outright third place on nine-under, three shots back from eventual winner Jordi 
Garcia Pinto of Spain.

The 29-year-old Fifer was disappointed not have put more pressure on the leaders at the weekend but was nevertheless happy with a top-five finish so early in the European Challenge Tour season, which moved him to fifth in the rankings on €17,250.

“I am happy with finishing in third place,” said the Anstruther man. “Obviously I’m disappointed to have been only two-under for the weekend – and that was with two birdies on the final two holes today.

“I feel as though I could have put a bit of pressure on them earlier on but, unfortunately, it wasn’t to be. If someone offers you third at the start of every week you’d be happy and it’s a couple of decent results so hopefully I can push on now and have a good year.”

Raymond Russell was the next best Scot in joint-seventh place on six-under after a closing 70 while Andrew McArthurfinished a shot further back in tied 11th place to continue his positive start to the campaign after a runner-up finish at the season-opening event in India.