Tim Sluiter leads in Kenya. Picture courtesy Chris OmolloGareth Shaw was frustrated to miss the cut by a shot in the Barclays Kenya Open in Nairobi.

Peter O’Keeffe with strength and conditioning coach Luke Dennehy at his gym in Ballincollig, Cork. Picture: Brian LougheedPeter O’Keeffe would love to have travelled to Africa for this week’s Barclays Kenya Open. Instead he’s busy studying for his PGA qualiifactions and working hard on his pre-season training in the hope of winning a European Challenge Tour title in 2013.

Cian McNamara is in Kenya this week. Picture copyright Getty ImagesCian McNamara is relishing the opportunity of proving his worth on the European stage as the Limerick man makes his first Challenge Tour appearance of the season at this week’s Barclays Kenya Open in Muthaiga Golf Club in  Nairobi, writes the European Tour.

Niall Kearney in action at the 2010 Q-School finalsFive dropped shots in the space of just two holes could have wrecked Niall Kearney’s week in the Barclays Kenya Open.

But while he slipped from third to tied 14th at the halfway stage following a two-over 73, leaving him six strokes behind leader Michiel Bothma, the 23-year old Dubliner showed some admirable fighting qualities.

Niall Kearney opened with an eagle three and added a hat-trick of birdies around the turn before fading light stopped play in the Challenge Tour’s weather-delayed Barclays Kenya Open.

Niall Kearney’s African adventure ended disappointingly as the Dubliner added a 77 to his opening 74 to comfortably miss the cut in the Challenge Tour’s Kenya Open in which home favourite Ali Kimani is the surprise half-way leader.

Royal Dublin’s Niall Kearney faces an uphill task to make the cut at the Kenya Open after an opening round of 74 left him nine shots adrift of overnight leader Jake Roos, whose six-under par 65 was good enough for a one shot lead.