Muthaiga Golf Club’s Jay Sandhu celebrates after winning the 2026 NCBA Muthaiga Open title.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Home player Jay Sandhu has been crowned the winner of the 2026 NCBA Muthaiga Open, the fifth leg of the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) circuit. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

Fresh from his victory at the Windsor Classic, Sandhu maintained his blistering form over the three-round tournament, carding rounds of 69, 70, and 72 for a total of 2-under par 211 and successfully fending off a competitive field of 145 elite amateur golfers, that included fifteeen juniors, four of whom made the cut to play the final round

Despite bogeys on the 10th, 13th, and 14th holes during the final round, Sandhu secured his lead with critical birdies on the 4th and 18th.

Speaking after his triumph, Sandhu said: “Winning here at Muthaiga is always special, but to do it back-to-back after Windsor feels incredible. The course was playing fast, and I knew I had to stay patient when those bogeys crept in on the back nine. This win isn’t just about the trophy; it’s about the momentum we’re building for next year’s Magical Kenya Open qualification.”

Sandhu secured the top prize of Ksh 115,600 from the Ksh 400,000 purse.

The battle for second was equally intense. John Lejirma of Royal Nairobi Golf Club pushed the pace with an aggressive final round of 71. Lejirma’s scorecard was the most active of the day, featuring five birdies on holes 6, 7, 12, 15 and the 18th. However, five bogeys prevented him from catching Sandhu, leaving him at level par 213 (69, 73, 71) for the tournament, taking home Ksh 69,400.

2026 NCBA Muthaiga Open champion Jay Sandhu poses with his trophy.

Reflecting on his runner-up finish, Lejirma, who is the KAGC overall defending champion noted: “It was a fight from the first tee to the last green. I felt like I had the birdies in me today, but a few dropped shots especially on the par-4s kept the lead just out of reach. Two shots is a small margin at Muthaiga, but I’m happy with how I’m striking the ball. I can only hope to improve moving forward to other tournaments.”

Rounding out the podium was Michael Karanga who showed remarkable consistency and improvement throughout the weekend, carding rounds of 73, 71, and a final-day 70. His 1-under par final round was one of the best of the day, moving him into third place with a total of 1-over par 214. He earned Ksh 46,200 for his efforts.

Muthaiga’s Daniel Kiragu secured fourth place with a 3-over par 216, while Bo Ciera rounded out the top five at 4-over par 217.

Speaking at the prize-giving ceremony NCBA Ciata Mall Branch Manager Emmanuel Leitemu stated: At NCBA, we are incredibly happy to support the growth of golf in Kenya. Watching Jay Sandhu maintain his form and seeing the grit of players like Lejirma and Warigia confirms that the standard of the KAGC is reaching new heights. The circuit is growing stronger with every leg, and we are proud to provide a platform where every performance brings these athletes closer to their professional dreams.

With this win, Jay Sandhu extends his lead at the top of the standings with 560 points. Junior star Junaid Manji sits in second with 334 points, followed closely by John Lejirma in third with 230 points.

Dismas Indiza celebrates after winning the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing title in Ruiru.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Kenya’s Dismas Indiza and Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera have earned full playing rights on the Sunshine Tour, joining fellow East African Njoroge Kibugu following an impressive inaugural season of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

The duo secured their cards after finishing second and third respectively on the Tour’s Order of Merit, capping off a highly competitive season that has now firmly positioned East African golfers on a clear pathway to the global professional game.

The trio will now transition to the Sunshine Tour, where they have received special dispensation to feature in the early part of the 2026 season, known as the “Winter Swing.” The swing runs from April to June and consists of a series of tournaments across Southern Africa before the mid-year break in July and August.

Their schedule begins with the Mediclinic Invitational from 15th to 18th April. They will then feature at the FBC Zim Open from 7th to 10th May, before competing in the Kit Kat Cash & Carry Pro-Am from 14th to 17th May. The trio is also expected to tee off at the SunBet Challenge at Humewood Golf Club from 20th to 22nd May.

Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera follows his tee shot during the final round of the Ruiru leg of the Sunshine Development Tour

Further events in the swing include the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions from 4th to 7th June, the Mopani Zambia Open from 11th to 14th June, and the KCM Challenge from 18th to 21st June, providing a consistent run of high-level competition as they settle into the Tour.

Nsanzuwera earned his Sunshine Tour card after a standout season that saw him win the Diani and Kigali legs, alongside multiple top three finishes, to secure second place on the Order of Merit with 1,317 points. Indiza, who finished third with 753 points, claimed victory at the Ruiru leg and maintained strong consistency throughout the season to seal his elevation to the continental stage.

They join Kibugu, who was crowned the inaugural Order of Merit champion after winning four of the 10 events and registering several top finishes. His progression has already been evident at the Magical Kenya Open 2026, where he was the only Kenyan to make the cut and went on to finish at an impressive 6-under par, the best score by a Kenyan in the tournament’s history.

Speaking on the trio’s transition to the Sunshine Tour, Sunshine Development Tour Chairman Peter Gacheru highlighted both the opportunity and the challenge ahead: “This is where the real test begins. The Winter Swing is competitive, week-in, week-out golf against seasoned Sunshine Tour players, on courses that demand consistency and mental strength. For Njoroge, Celestin and Dismas to step straight into this stretch is a huge opportunity. They are not going there to make up the numbers, they have earned their place, and this is their chance to prove that East African golfers can compete and win at that level.”

Speaking after securing his card, Nsanzuwera welcomed the opportunity to step up to the Sunshine Tour: “This is a big moment for me and for Rwandan golf. The Sunshine Development Tour gave me the platform to compete regularly and improve my game. Winning twice during the season gave me confidence, and now I am looking forward to testing myself against top players on the Sunshine Tour.”

Indiza, reflecting on his season, emphasized the importance of consistency: “It was a long and competitive season, and every event counted. Winning in Ruiru and staying consistent across the other tournaments made the difference for me. This Tour has raised the level of competition in the region, and earning a Sunshine Tour card is a strong motivation as I take the next step.”

The three now step up to compete on the Sunshine Tour, marking a significant milestone not just in their individual careers, but also for the growth of professional golf in the region.

The performance of Nsanzuwera and Indiza highlights the competitive depth of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing, which in its first season saw 88 players earn Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.

The two recorded significant upward movement in the global rankings, with Nsanzuwera recording the biggest rise, gaining 2,981 places, followed by Dismas Indiza (+2,483), underlining the Tour’s role in providing meaningful competitive opportunities.