Left to Right PS Sports PS Jonathan Mueke, KOGL Chairman Peter Kanyago, Sport CS Ababu Namwamba as Absa Bank Interim MD Yusuf Omari signs off the dummy cheque

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

The 54th edition of the Magical Kenya Open tournament on Monday received a major boost with the tourney that is set for March 9 tee-off at the Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi, landing a sponsorship package of Sh70 million from title sponsors Absa Bank.

Absa has committed a whopping Ksh 70m for the tournament that is part of

Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba who graced the official launch of the event that is set to be part of the DP Tour (formerly European Tour), noted the importance of the annual golf event, promising government resources in support for its success.

“The Magical Kenya Open comes after we successfully hosted the Ladies event in Vipingo. This tournament is indeed a confirmation that Kenya is the home of golfing tournaments. Kenya Golf Limited has continued to create a good environment for our players both pros and amateurs in order to participate in this event. As a government we will continue to support the tournament to its success,” said Namwamba.

Absa Bank Chief Executive Officer Yusuf Omari said as a corporate they are proud to partner with Kenya Golf Limited for the 13th year articulating their success story for the previous 12-year engagements.

“For us, the MKO presents another unique opportunity to showcase the tenacity and effort of great golfers across the world, including the resilience of our local golfers. Over the last 12 years, we have played our role, not only in the growth and elevation of the Kenya Open to world-class standards but also in demystifying golf as a sport that is loved, appreciated and celebrated by Kenyans from different walks of life and not just the elite.”

A total of 156 local and international golfers are set to compete in this year’s event from 9-12th March.

Kenya will be represented by eight local professionals and six local amateur golfers.

The pro golfers include Jastas Madoya, Daniel Nduva, Mike Kisia, Mutahi Kibugu, Simon Ngige, Dismas Indiza, Samuel Njoroge and Greg Snow.

Zimbabwe’s professional duo of Robson Chinhoi and Nyasha Muyambo have also received an invitation to participate in the big money three-day event.

Organisers of the event are targeting more than 15,000 spectators with over 500m people globally set to be reached through television viewership.

China’s Ashun Wu won last year’s title and bagged Sh 37m.

Samuel Njoroge with his elder sibling CJ Wangai who also featured in the competition

By DANIELLA APIYO AND DAMARIS AMANDA

All roads lead to the Par 72 Muthaiga golf club from this Saturday for the final leg of the Safari tour golf series where the final top eight Kenyans and two foreigners on the overall standings will confirm their places in the 2023 Magical Kenya Open golf championship set for March 9-12.

After the conclusion of the penultimate round hosted by Karen Country club on Wednesday, six professional golfers who took part in the 2022 Magical Kenya Open will give their last shot in the final event that will be kicked off by ProAm competition scheduled for Saturday and later on Sunday the main event will kick off and run through to Wednesday next week.

After winning his maiden Safari tour title in the fifth round in Karen through a 3man playoffs in holes 10, 11 and 12, Samuel Njoroge of Railways golf club is now focused on attempting to battle for the overall championship where he will have to beat second placed Greg Snow who will be on home course while Zimbabwean Robson Chinhoi who is perched first will be keen to protect lead from the hungry locals.

“Winning in Karen has given me good confidence to go for the first position overall and I believe my game is now on a good form and I will give my best shot in Muthaiga. The playoffs pressure was an excellent way to test myself against some of the best golfers and I pray for the best this weekend.” Samuel Njoroge told People Sports after winning the Karen title.

Greg Snow told People Sports he will not be complacent on home grounds and promised to improve his driving that cost him several points at Karen.

“Playing at Muthaiga Golf club has always been a favorable aspect for me and I will do my best to live up to expectations. The Karen course gave many pros a challenge including my driving and I expect nothing short of an improvement at Muthaiga.” Greg Snow told People Sports.

The professional golfers who featured in the previous Kenya open edition and are below the cut include Edwin Mudanyi, CJ Wangai, Erick Ooko, David Wakhu, Jacob OKello and Mohit Mediratta, all made the previous cut to the European tour event under the sponsorship of Absa Bank Kenya Limited-the title sponsor of Kenya open.

Despite failing to make a cut to the final rounds of the Karen tour, Zimbabwean pro Robson Chinhoi is still in the overall standings lead with 200.5 points followed closely by Muthaiga golf club’s Greg Snow with 191.5 points while the recent winner at Karen Samuel Njoroge of Railways club is now third with 188.0 points.

While its a good lead for the log leader Robson Chinhoi who is line to return to the Magical Kenya open where two slots will be taken up by international players, pressure will be on his fellow countryman Visitor Mapwanya and Uganda’s Ronald Rugamayo who are placed fourth and fifth with 184.5 and 183.0 points respectively.

Overall standings and points after 5 out of 6 rounds:

1. Robson Chinhoi (ZIM) – 200.5points
2. Greg Snow – 191.5
3. Samuel Njoroge – 188.0
4. Visitor Mapwanya (ZIM) – 184.5
5. Ronald Rugamayo (UG) – 183.0
6. Simon Ngige – 172.5
7. Dismas Indiza – 150.0
8. Nyasha Muyambo (ZIM) – 143.0
9. Mutahi Kibugu – 123.8
10. Justas Madoya – 113.8
11. Daniel Nduva – 102.3
12. Mike Kisia – 94.0