Nigeria’s Godwin Okoko has won his first Sunshine Development Tour title, taking the Rift Valley Championship at Nakuru Golf Club in Kenya on Tuesday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The event was the eighth leg of the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing. Okoko closed with a five-under-par 68 for a total of 209, enough to beat Kenya’s Simon Njogu by one stroke.

His final round included six birdies and an eagle on the 16th. He dropped shots on the fifth, eighth and 12th holes but kept his lead to the end.

“I am very happy to win my first title on the Sunshine Development Tour,” Okoko said.

“I have been working hard throughout the season, and it feels good to see that effort pay off. The course tested us, but I stayed focused, took my opportunities and kept pushing until the end. This win gives me a lot of confidence as I prepare for the next event back home in Nigeria.”

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The win earned him Ksh400,000 from a Ksh2m prize purse and 210 Order of Merit points.

Njogu, of Golf Park Golf Club, finished second on nine under par with 210, after final-round birdies on the fifth, eighth, 10th, 11th and 16th holes. He collected Ksh214,000 and 172 points.

“I gave myself opportunities and managed to finish strongly, although there are a few shots I would have liked back,” he said.

Edwin Mudanyi began the day as the overnight leader but slipped to third on six under par with 213. He dropped shots on the first, third and fourth holes, and bogeys on the 14th and 15th ended his recovery.

“It is disappointing not to finish on top after putting myself in a good position, but there are positives to take from the week,” he said.

Dismas Indiza was fourth on 214 and Greg Snow of Muthaiga Golf Club fifth on 215, while John Kagiri was sixth on one under par with 218.

The championship, sponsored by NCBA Bank, brought together professionals and elite amateurs from across the region. Points on offer counted towards the Order of Merit, which helps players progress to the main Sunshine Tour, as well as the Official World Golf Ranking and the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

Okoko returns to Nigeria for the next leg, the Alpha Bravo Golf Classic, at Lakowe Lakes Golf Estate from November 18 to 21.