Max Homa of the US hits his second shot on the first hole in the fourth round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament at TPC Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, 13 February 2022. EPA/RICK D’ELIA

By KGG TEAM

SuperSport viewers on DStv can look forward to seeing all the action from the PGA Tour’s The Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, California from Thursday 17 to Sunday 20 February 2022.

SuperSport is the ultimate destination for Golf fans, with an unparalleled selection of action from around the world.

First played in 1926 as the Los Angeles Open, The Genesis Invitational is one of only five tournaments given “invitational” status by the PGA Tour, and consequently it has a reduced field of only 120 players (as opposed to most full-field open tournaments with a field of 156 players). The other four are the Arnold Palmer Invitational, RBC Heritage, Charles Schwab Challenge and the Memorial Tournament.

Last year’s Genesis Invitational was won by American Max Homa, who shot 272 (-12) and then defeated Tony Finau via a playoff to claim his first title in his home city of Los Angeles. “I don’t know if I could ever do anything cooler in golf than this,” Homa said after his triumph in 2021.

“Just for me, for my caddie Joe, we were raised 25 miles north of here. Tiger Woods is handing us a trophy, that’s a pretty crazy thought. We grew up idolizing him, idolising Riviera Country Club, idolising the golf tournament. To get it done, it’s almost shocking, but it feels like it just can’t be topped.”

The 2022 field for The Genesis Invitational includes returning champion Homa, as well as top PGA stars such as Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay. Another player to watch is Aaron Beverly, who received the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption from golf legend Tiger Woods.

“Like me, Aaron learned the game from his dad,” said Woods, who serves as host of the Genesis. “I know Charlie Sifford would be proud of Aaron as he makes his PGA Tour debut at Riviera next month.”

Since 2009 the honour has been given to a golfer representing a minority background to play in the annual PGA Tour stop at Riviera. Past recipients include Cameron Champ, Harold Varner III, J.J. Spaun and Joseph Bramlett.

A two-time Big Sky Player of the Year at Sacramento State University, Beverly has played on the PGA Tour Latinoamérica Tour and Makenzie Tour. Aaron also serves as an assistant club professional at Valley Hi Country Club in Elk Grove, California.

The Riviera Country Club has a 7,322 yards, par 71 course. The purse for the Genesis Invitational is $12million.

No rival can compete with SuperSport’s coverage. Our viewers on DStv can see all their favourite golf stars dominating courses across the world. Visit www.dstv.com to subscribe or upgrade, and join in on the excitement. And while you’re on the move, you can stream matches on the DStv App.

The Genesis Invitational broadcast details

All times CAT

Thursday 17 February

21:00: Day 1 – LIVE on SuperSport Golf

Friday 18 February

21:00: Day 2 – LIVE on SuperSport Golf

Saturday 19 February

20:00: Day 3 – LIVE on SuperSport Golf

Sunday 20 February

20:00: Day 4 – LIVE on SuperSport Golf

Players celebrate with Esther Henseleit after she won the 2022 Magical Kenya Ladies Open at the PGA Baobab COurse, Vipingo Ridge, Kilifi County on Sunday.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Germany’s Esther Henseleit has retained her Magical Kenya Ladies Open after making a dramatic comeback on the tournament’s final round. Esther carded a round of 70 to end her campaign at the event with a 2-under par 286 score to claim the championship.

The final day turned out to be dramatic as the German international who was trailing Sweden’s Linnea Strom for the better part of the day rallied her shots to close the gap and claim the prestigious title.

She carded a round of 33 in the first nine and 37 in the second to finish the day with a total of 70, adding to her 74, 73 and 69 rounds in the first three rounds respectively to finish with 286.

Henseleit, who won the inaugural Magical Kenya Ladies Open tournament in 2019, takes home 45,000 Euros (approximately KES5.8 million) for her efforts. The tournament was the season opener for the 2022 Ladies European Tour, with a total prize purse of €300,000 (Approximately Ksh 38 million).

Speaking following her win, Henseleit said: “At the first, I just put my drive a little bit left and was blocked to the green. I hit a good shot into the green but couldn’t make a par putt. Then I played pretty well and holed some good long putts and kept it together. In the end, it was a bit of a struggle, but I made it, and I am pretty proud of my last few holes. I have been struggling with the putter a lot over the last one and a half. Years so it’s pretty cool that held the last one.”

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, who graced the event’s final day, noted the tournament plays a crucial role in developing golf in the country.

“It is an honour for Kenya to be hosting this prestigious Ladies Open after a two-year interruption following the Covid-19 Pandemic. We are proud that in 2020, Kenya was voted as the best golf destination in Africa at the World Golf Awards. This tournament, therefore, is another indication of Kenya’s diligence and commitment to hosting world-class sporting events,” she said.

On her part, Sports Cabinet Secretary Amb. Amina Mohammed hinted at considerations to increase the tournament’s prize money to raise its profile on the global scene.

“I urge all sponsors of this tournament to up this figure because it is essential that we appreciate the international golfers who come to play here. As the government and title sponsors of the tournament, we shall continue to support this tournament and pledge also to increase our money for this event,” said Amina.

Tourism & Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala urged the Ladies European Tour to make the tournament a permanent feature, noting that it plays a key role in positioning the country as a top golfing and tourism destination.

“We want this event to be an annual event that continues even beyond this government. We have laid the foundation, and I urge that the funding is raised so that the tournament can attract more international players golfers to come and play.”

The tournament was sponsored by The Government of Kenya – through the Ministry of Sports, Ministry of Tourism, and the Sports Fund – Huawei; Safaricom’s M-Pesa; Johnnie Walker; and Centum. It was jointly organized by the U.Com event and Vipingo Ridge and is part of the Ladies European Tour.