By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

David Wakhu produced a composed final-round performance to emerge champion of the 5th leg of the PGK Equator Tour Season 2, closing on an impressive 10-under par to lift the title at Ruiru Sports Club. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

The victory marks Wakhu’s second title on the PGK Equator Tour since the circuit’s inception and his first triumph of Season 2, reaffirming his place among Kenya’s leading professional golfers.

Greg Snow mounted a strong challenge throughout the tournament to finish just one shot behind on 9-under par, while Samuel Chege and John Lejirma shared third place at 7-under par. Veteran professional Dismas Indiza rounded off the top five at 5-under par, continuing his remarkable consistency on this season’s tour.

The standout performance of Championship Sunday came from Michael Karanga, who carded the best round of the day with a superb five-under-par score(-5), demonstrating the high standard of competition that has become synonymous with the PGK Equator Tour.

Speaking after lifting the trophy, Wakhu reflected on the determination that drove his performance throughout the week.

David Wakhu (in Blue) is presented with the winner’s prize at Ruiru Sports Club

“Coming into the final round, my goal was simple—I wanted to give it everything I had. I told myself that even if I didn’t win the tournament, I had to finish among the top three. I stayed patient, trusted my game and kept fighting for every shot. To come away as the champion is an incredible feeling and a reward for all the hard work I’ve been putting into my game. Winning my second PGK Equator Tour title, and my first this season, is very special.”

— David Wakhu, Ruiru Sports Club Champion

Following five completed events in Season 2, the race for the PGK Equator Tour Order of Merit continues to intensify.

The current standings are:

• 1st – Samuel Chege: 2,852 points
• 2nd – Greg Snow: 2,320 points
• 3rd – Dismas Indiza: 2,290 points

With several tournaments remaining, every point will be crucial as the country’s top professionals continue their pursuit of the Season 2 Order of Merit title.

The PGK Equator Tour remains the flagship platform for professional golf in Kenya, advancing the Professional Golfers of Kenya’s vision of developing elite players, creating a pathway to the Magical Kenya Open, and ultimately producing a Kenyan professional capable of representing the nation at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The Professional Golfers of Kenya extends its sincere appreciation to its valued sponsors and partners—NCBA Bank, Visa, Safaricom, Britam, Kenya Airways, Betika, Johnnie Walker, and Computech—whose continued investment is helping transform the landscape of professional golf in Kenya.

As the only professional golf circuit owned and managed by the Professional Golfers of Kenya, the PGK Equator Tour continues to provide a sustainable competitive platform for Kenyan professionals while inspiring the next generation of golfing talent.

Winner of the Absa Invitational tournament Samuel Njoroge Chege poses with his trophy

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Thika Sports Club professional Samuel Chege produced a sensational final-round performance to claim his maiden Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing title after winning the Absa Invitational, the fourth leg of the Tour, at Nyali Golf & Country Club. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

Chege, who had begun the day on the ninth position and three shots off the lead, mounted a remarkable comeback by firing a near-flawless 6-under par 65 to finish the tournament on 7-under par 206, the lowest total of the week.

His brilliant closing round featured seven birdies on the 1st, 4th, 5th, 7th, 11th, 16th and 17th holes, with his only blemish coming on the 12th. The victory marked the first Sunshine Development Tour title of his professional career and capped a remarkable turnaround after an opening-round 75 had left him well down the leaderboard.

Winner of the Absa Invitational tournament Samuel Njoroge Chege in action during round three of the tournament on Thursday.

An elated Chege credited his patience and determination for the victory.

“I’m really happy to get my first Sunshine Development Tour title. After the first round, I knew I had to stay patient and keep believing because there was still a lot of golf to play. I struck the ball really well over the last two rounds, gave myself chances and managed to take them. This win gives me a lot of confidence going forward, and I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout the journey.”

For his victory, Chege walked away with KES 400,000 from the tournament’s KES 2 million prize purse.

Muthaiga Golf Club’s Greg Snow and defending champion Njoroge Kibugu of Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club shared second place after both finished on 5-under par 208 overall.

Samuel Njoroge Chege celebrates his win with fellow golfers.

Snow carded a final-round 2-under par 69, courtesy of birdies on the 5th, 7th, 11th and 17th, while bogeys on the 4th and 6th prevented him from mounting a stronger title challenge.

Reflecting on his performance, Snow said: “It was a good week overall and I’m pleased with how I played. Samuel had an exceptional final round and deserved the win. There are plenty of positives to take from this week, and I’ll keep building as the season progresses.”

Kibugu, who started the day as the overnight leader and was seeking to successfully defend his Nyali title, closed with a 1-under par 70. He recovered impressively after a difficult start that saw him drop shots on the 4th, 7th and 10th, before responding with birdies on the 11th, 15th, 16th and 17th to remain in contention until the closing stages.

Despite narrowly missing out on the title, Kibugu remained encouraged by his week’s performance.

Samuel Njoroge receives his trophy from Fathiya Noordean, Absa Bank Kenya Coast Regional Manager.

“Naturally, I would have loved to defend the title, but that’s golf. I fought hard until the end and gave myself a chance. Congratulations to Samuel for a fantastic round, and I’ll take the positives into the next events.”

For their efforts, Snow and Kibugu each received KES 180,000 in prize money.

Meanwhile, Celestin Nsanzuwera of Kigali Golf Resort finished as the highest-ranked foreign player in fourth place on 3-under par 210 after returning a final-round 1-under par 70. John Lejirma and Mohit Mediratta shared fifth place on 2-under par 211 overall.

The Absa Invitational attracted a strong field of 80 golfers from across East Africa and beyond, with competitors battling not only for a share of the prize purse but also valuable Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points and Sunshine Development Tour Order of Merit points, which are crucial for progression to the main Sunshine Tour.