Njoroge Kibugu tees off during the second round of the Absa Invitational Series, the final leg of the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing at Karen Country Club today

By DANIELLA APIYO

Kenya’s Njoroge Kibugu and Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera are tied at the top of the leaderboard on 8-under par heading into the final round of the Absa Invitational Series, the season finale of the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing at Karen Country Club. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

The two leaders, who were paired together in the same flight, traded positions throughout a dramatic second round as the contest for the title intensified.

Kibugu, who began the day as the overnight leader, started steadily with birdies on the 2nd and 6th holes before dropping a shot on the 9th. On the back nine, he added birdies on the 12th, 14th, and 18th, with bogeys on the 11th and 17th. He signed for a 2 under par 68 to remain at the summit on 8-under par overall.

Speaking after his round, Kibugu said: “I started decently with a birdie on the second and felt I had some momentum, but my distance control was not as sharp as I wanted. After mistakes on nine and eleven, I focused on making good swings and giving myself chances. There were a few sloppy mistakes coming in, but I will work on that. I am excited about tomorrow. Competitive golf is always exciting, and especially with Celestin, it is fitting that we are in the finale together.”

Nsanzuwera, who is chasing his third win of the inaugural Sunshine Development Tour season, opened his round strongly with a blemish free front nine, picking up birdies on the 5th, 8th, and 9th holes.

He continued the momentum after the turn with birdies on the 10th and 12th to briefly take the outright lead. However, bogeys on the 14th, 15th, and 17th saw him drop shots before he recovered with a crucial birdie on the 18th to finish the day tied for the lead.

Reflecting on his round, Nsanzuwera said: “It was not a bad day overall. I missed a few putts early but managed to find my rhythm and picked up birdies on the front nine to get to ten under. The back nine was tougher with three bogeys, but I was happy to finish strongly on eighteen. My focus tomorrow is to stay disciplined, put the ball in the right positions, and give myself chances. It is the final round of the season, so it has to be my best.”

Isaiah Otuke sits third on 4-under par overall after carding a 1-under par second round that included birdies on the 2nd, 8th, 12th, 14th, and 17th, against bogeys on the 4th, 9th, 13th, and 16th.

Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera tees off during the second round of the Absa Invitational Series, the final leg of the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing at Karen Country Club.

Tied for fourth on 3 under par is a three-way group comprising Mike Kisia and amateurs Elvis Muigua and Taimur Malik. Muigua of Ndumberi Golf Club produced an impressive 3 under par round following an opening round of level par.

“I am happy with how I played today,” said Muigua. “I started strongly and felt good momentum through the round. Tomorrow I just need to stick to my routine. Playing alongside professionals has been a great learning experience and has helped me grow my game.”

A total of 34 players made the cut, which was set at 5-over par, with the top 30 players and ties advancing to the final round.

The final round of the Absa Invitational Series will be played on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, at the par 70 Karen Country Club, with the first tee time scheduled for 7.30 am.

A prize purse of Ksh. 2 million will be at stake, with the winner set to take home Ksh. 400,000. The tournament will also mark the crowning of the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing Order of Merit winner, with Sunshine Tour cards to be awarded at the close of the event.

Njoroge Kibugu in action at the Karen Country Club during Round One action of the the Absa Invitational Series, the final leg of the Sunshine Development Tour.

By DANIELLA APIYO

Windsor Golf and Country Club professional Njoroge Kibugu carded an impressive 6-under par 64 to take the early lead after the opening round of the Absa Invitational Series, the final leg of the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing, at Karen Country Club. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

Kibugu’s round featured three birdies on the front nine at the 1st, 7th and 9th holes, with dropped shots on the 6th and 8th. On the back nine, he picked up a birdie on the 10th before dropping shots on the 11th and 13th. He closed strongly with birdies on the 16th and 17th to sign off on a 64 on the par 70 Karen course.

Speaking after his round, Kibugu said, “It was pretty alright today, smooth sailing. I had two bogeys on the card but finishing at six under, I am happy with the round. The course played quite well. The greens are not the smoothest, but I will take the score. The strategy for tomorrow is to just stick to my game plan as I did today and just hope for the best.”

Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera follows his teeshot during Round One of the the Absa Invitational Series, the final leg of the Sunshine Development Tour at the Karen Country Club.

Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera sits second on the leaderboard after posting 5-under par. His round included birdies on holes 1, 2, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 17, with a bogey on the 11th and a double bogey on the 13th.

Commenting on his performance, Nsanzuwera said, “I started pretty well with a birdie on the tenth where I teed off. I made mistakes on eleven and thirteen, but I stayed focused and did not drop any more shots. Finishing five under is a good start. I really want to win the overall title because it would be my third win on the tour, and winning the final event would mean earning a Sunshine Tour card.”

Third place is shared by Isaiah Otuke and Johnny Limb, both on 3-under par. Otuke’s round featured birdies on the 2nd, 9th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 17th and 18th holes, with bogeys on the 3rd, 7th, 11th, 13th and 15th holes.

Home player Johnny Limb tees off at the Karen Country Club during Round One action of the the Absa Invitational Series, the final leg of the Sunshine Development Tour.

Limb’s card included birdies on the 1st, 7th, 10th, 12th and 14th holes, with bogeys on the 13th and 15th holes.

Speaking after his round, Limb said, “The course was playing fair and I am happy with my score. It feels more comfortable playing at home. I have played here since I was a kid, so I know my way around and felt confident coming into this tournament.”

Tied for fifth place are Daniel Nduva, Mike Kisia, Kenneth Bollo, Uganda’s Otile Ronald and Nigeria’s Kamalo Bako with a score of 2-under, all within touching distance heading into the second round.

The Absa Invitational Series at Karen Country Club carries a prize purse of Ksh 2 million, along with Official World Golf Ranking points and Sunshine Development Tour Order of Merit points, which are crucial in determining qualification for the Sunshine Development Tour Africa Championship, a key pathway to earning Sunshine Tour membership.