Willy Crowned Golf Champion in Gabon, head for Cameroon

Nigerian professional golfers Gift Willy, has recorded his second win in three starts outside the country with his latest recorded at Gabonese port city, Port Gentil.

Willy who earlier on February 18 pocketed the highest golf event in Banjul, The Gambia won the event with a seven strokes advantage over little known Ghanaian Godwin Sai and subsequently became the hottest pro golfers on the west coast of Africa.

“It was the mental eye that I have over other players here. My game is still not at the best shape” he had said after pocketing the over 2,500 Euros at stake at the event.

He added that despite the winning score he posted in Port Gentil, he was not his best. “I struggled with my swing unlike in Gambia where my putting and swing were in the best shape. I think what helped me was because I know I know how to get the job done despite those flaws and again my mental side was stronger than everyone on the field.” He said.

Willy was the only player that shot scores lower than the course par for the entire rounds in Port Gentil, he shot, 71, 70, 71, 70 to win the event with six under par. Nigeria’s Basiru Bakare placed third at the event which was a repeat of what he shot at the earlier event in Moanda where the Nigerians failed to retain the title that was held by their late colleague, Ali Abdullahi.

With Willy, win he has relocated to Yaoundé ahead of the Cameroon International Golf Championship which holds one of the biggest prize purse in the region with 40, 000 Euros, and he says early arrival will help him rehearse the course and fix the flaws ahead of the tee-off of the event on May 11. Willy added that he would maximize the advantage of his early arrival.

“In Cameroon, I am not expecting anything less than a win. I have played with most of the player that would be showing up, so I know what to expect in a way. But I expect it to be the tougher than the other events, more Nigerian players are would be coming including from South Africa and Europe. I will just keep my focus and that is very important.”

He says the Yaounde golf course is also another challenge on it own and he believes it will take the best of artistry to conquers it. “You don’t only need to know how hit the shots, you must know how to shape shots to return good scores in Yaounde. I believe I am ready” he said.