Jorge Campillo lifts the Magical Kenya Open trophy after winning the title today.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Spaniard Jorge Campillo, 36, is the winner of the 56th edition of Magical Kenya Open Golf Championships.

Campillo ensured he maintained his lead on the final day with a perfect end to the 2023 Magical Kenya Open-DP European Tour Event at the Par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club Sunday as he won the title in style with a score of -18 (266).

For his troubles, the Caceres-Spain native took home Sh 44 million (340,000 USD) including 460 ranking points. This was his third title in the tour, having previously won the 2019 Trophée Hassan II and the 2020 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

The World No.257 finished on an impressive total of 266 after some good rounds on the course. Save for an unlikely bogey on hole 11, the player was as effective with his shot selection as they come. In the previous three rounds, Campillo had -2 (69), -3 (68) and -8 (63) en route to top status in the leaderboard on Saturday.

“I am so happy to win this tournament, having led from the third round. This is a tricky course and you have to hit the ball well to succeed. I have been here for a while and this is only my third title in the Tour. For 12 years, I have been practising hard and since this is my first year on the European Tour, I am excited. It is a huge moment for me and I will cherish it for a long time. I feel more relaxed now and definitely looking ahead to greater tournaments. I cannot be here without my caddie, so special recognition to him as well,” he said.

Campillo, however, had to be wary of Japanese players especially fourth-placed Ryo Hisatsune who however finished on -15 (65) for a total of 269 after his four rounds.

The second finisher was Japanese 30-year player Kawamura Masahiro who is ranked 303 in the World. Masahiro posted a score of -16 (268). He had a score of -4 (67) in Round One,-4 (67) in Round Two,-3 (68) in Round 3 and -5 (66) in the last round of the tournament.

Another Spaniard 33-year-old Ben Tarrio Santiago who closed with an excellent birdie in Hole 18 to pick -5 (66) and a total of 269 after four rounds also impressed on the course closing at third place. In the opening round of the competition, finished on Par 71 before vastly improving to -3 (68) in Round 2 and -7 (64) and ending on -5 (66). He finished third overall in the competition.

Ryo who is World No.200 had some incredible putting games on the course especially after earning seven birdies on holes 1,4,6,10,14,17 and 18. He only dropped a single shot on hole 13 thus picking a bogey in an otherwise error-free afternoon play. In Round 1, Ryo had a score of 70 on the board before improving to 63 in Round 2 but slipped to Par (71) in Round 3 before finishing on 65.

Africa’s highest-placed player was South African World Ranked 468th who led for the opening two rounds. He finished 10th with a score of -13 (271) with three birdies counting for his last round.

Dylan Mostert lines his putt at Muthaiga Golf Club today.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

South African Dylan Mostert and American Caitlyn John took an early lead tying on seven under par 64 after the first day of this year’s Magical Kenya Open Golf Championships at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club.

Mostert 24, who is ranked 339 in the DP Tour, enjoyed the services of his caddie, local pro-Mohit Mediratta who has a good knowledge of the course, to sink eight birdies and set the tempo going into day two’s crucial round where players will be subjected to a cut. The member of Modderfontein Golf Club, however, had a bogey on the par four hole nine.

Catlin completed his round with a thrilling albatross on the long par five hole 18 to the excitement of fans who were seated at the clubhouse next to the hole.

The 32-year-old who has three DP Tour titles to his name also had five birdies and didn’t drop any shot on the first day.

Dutchman Wil Besseling and Pierre Pineau tied on six under par 65 to share the third spot after the first round. Besseling 37, had eight birdies but fumbled on the par four hole 15 where he had a double bogey after missing his putt twice.

Youngster Pineau who is ranked 393 managed four birdies and an eagle on the par five hole four.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s trio of Judy Wanjiku, Carl Wambasi and Golf Park’s Francis Wambua alongside Dutch national Will Besseling emerged victorious in the pre-event of the Magical Kenya Open-ProAm tournament played at Muthaiga Golf Club, Wednesday.

The team of four carded 42 under Par at the Par 71 course to beat the team of Scottish Pro Grant Forest, Mike Mutiga, Peter Karoki and Felista Mutinda who amassed 39 under par at close of business.

At the same time, the team led by South African great Justin Harding, Bein Gathuma, Sam Kangau and Ex-Muthaiga Golf Club Chairman finished on 36 under par to push the line. Additionally, there were four other teams who tied at 35 under par with Scottish Pro Robert MacIntyre alongside Sports Ministry Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke, Francis Muraya and Bernard Kiraithe who is the sitting Royal Nairobi Golf Club Chairman. 

Kenya Open Round 1 Leader Board:

Dylan Mostert (South Africa) -7 (64)
John Catlin (USA) -7 (64)
Wil Besseling (Netherlands) -6 (65)
Pierre Pineau (France) -6 (65)
Borja Virto (Spain) -5 (66)
Tom Murray (England) -5 (66)
Nick Bachem (Germany) -5 (66)
Caset Jarvis (South Africa) -5 (66)
Gavin Green (Malaysia) -5 (66)