Njoroge Kibugu after winning the final leg of the Sunshine Development Tour, the Absa Invitational at Karen Country Club

By AMANDA DAMARIS

Windsor Golf & Country Club professional Njoroge Kibugu has been crowned the Order of Merit champion of the inaugural Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing, following a dominant victory at the season finale, the Absa Invitational Series, played 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, who began the final round tied for the lead with Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera on 8-under par, delivered a composed and clinical performance, carding a final-round 6-under par 64 to pull clear and secure both the tournament title and the overall Order of Merit crown.

His final round featured seven birdies on holes 6, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15 and 18, against a single bogey on the 3rd, as he closed the tournament on an impressive 14-under par 196.

Peter Waweru, Absa Bank Kenya Head of Brand & Consumer Marketing presents a trophy to Njoroge Kibugu following his triumph at the Absa Invitational Series, at Karen Club.

The victory confirmed Kibugu’s place at the top of the final Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing Order of Merit, where he finished with 1,497 points following four tournament wins and top finishes during the season. He also walked away with KES 400,000 from the tournament’s KES 2 million prize purse.

Speaking after his win, Kibugu said: “This one means a lot to me. Coming into the season finale, I wasn’t feeling my best after the holiday break, but I trusted my game and focused on giving myself chances. I putted well and stayed patient, and that made the difference. Winning the Order of Merit feels like a real statement and a reward for the work I’ve put in. It gives me confidence and motivation for what lies ahead.”

Celestin Nsanzuwera finished second overall on 9-under par 201, after a determined final-round effort as he chased a third title on the Tour. He started strongly with birdies on the 1st and 2nd, but dropped shots on the 4th, 5th and 15th, before closing with birdies on 17 and 18 to sign for a 1-under par final round.

His runner-up finish saw him end the season second on the Order of Merit with 1,317 points, having claimed two tournament wins during the campaign.

Reflecting on his round, Nsanzuwera said: “I started well, but mistakes on holes four and five cost me momentum. I stayed focused and tried to play my game, but a few missed chances made the difference. Finishing second on the Order of Merit is still a strong result, and I’m proud of the season I’ve had.”

Taimur Malik finished as the leading amateur at Karen, producing a superb final-round 5-under par 65 to finish third on the leaderboard with a total of 8-under par 202.

Peter Waweru, Absa Bank Kenya Head of Brand & Consumer Marketing presents a trophy to Njoroge Kibugu at Karen Country Club

“It feels great to finish this way. I struggled on the first day but played really well in the second and third rounds. I hit the ball better today and was able to take advantage of my chances, which helped me finish strong,” said Malik.

Mutahi Kibugu finished fourth on 4-under par 206, while Isaiah Otuke claimed fifth place on 3-under par 205. Zimbabwe’s Visitor Mapwanya produced the lowest round of the tournament, firing a 7-under par final round, to finish tied on 2-under par 208 alongside Greg Snow and Mike Kisia.

On the final Order of Merit standings, Dismas Indiza finished third with 753 points, followed by amateur John Lejirma in fourth with 605 points, and Greg Snow in fifth with 578 points.

The Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing concludes its inaugural season having established a clear competitive pathway for professional and elite amateur golfers across the region, with the top performers now advancing to continental playoff opportunities and Sunshine Tour qualification events.

Following the Karen event, eyes now turn to the Big Easy Tour Playoff which will be held at the Modderfontein Golf Club on 27th – 29th January 2026.

Following the event, the top 12 players on the combined East Africa Swing and Big Easy Tour Order of Merit will earn direct playing cards to the Sunshine Tour.

Afterwards, the top 30 players from the SDT East Africa Swing and top 30 from South Africa’s Big Easy Tour will contest the Big Easy Tour Finals, scheduled for March 2026 in South Africa where 12 slots will be on offer to play at the Sunshine Tour Final Qualifying School for a chance to secure additional Sunshine Tour cards.

Willy Dues follows his tee shot during the Thika Greens Resort leg of the Sunshine Development Tour Absa Invitational Series

By DANIELLA APIYO

Uganda’s Willy Dues and Nyeri Golf Club’s Mutahi Kibugu played identical rounds of three under par 68 to move joint top of the Absa Invitational, the ninth leg of the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing, at Thika Greens Golf Resort as 30 players made cut. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

Despite dropping two shots on the second hole, the Ugandan recovered with birdies on the 3rd, 4th, 6th, 10th, 13th, 14th,and 16th but bogeyed the last two holes to extend his tally to six under par 136 ahead of the final day on Friday.

Speaking after his round, Dues said: “I played well today although I must admit that I was a little bit nervous towards the end. I had an idea of what I wanted to do but there were things I could not control like the win and bounces on the ball on the 17th and 18th. I am a human like everyone else, the nerves kicked in on the last two holes. I will control what I can control tomorrow and leave the rest to God and see how it goes.”

On his part, Mutahi dropped shots on the third and 11th holes, then birdied the fourth, 14th, and 17th and played an eagle on the 18th to match Dues’ score for the day to set up an exciting flight for the final round.

Mutahi Kibugu tees off during the Thika Greens Resort leg of the Sunshine Development Tour Absa Invitational Series

Commenting after being on the lead for the first time in the tour, Mutahi said: “It was a nice outing although the flags were really tucked, and the wind was pumping today. However, I am happy to have played another –3 today. This is my first time being on the lead in this tour and it feels nice to be back here, I do not feel the pressure. I have been hitting good shots off the tee, and I will continue to capitalize on my swing tomorrow, and I hope I can keep my score low.”

“I have worked very hard but it did not show last year during the earlier tournaments in the tour but it is starting to show now. A win here will be a big boost for my confidence and will show my team that I am on the right path,” he added.

Zimbabwe’s Victor Mapwanya alongside Kenya’s duo of David Wakhu and Njoroge Kibugu are tied third on the leaderboard with four under-par 138 heading to Friday. While Mapwanya and Wakhu played two under par 69 on Thursday, Njoroge rallied to three under par 68 to move to within touching distance.

The Absa Invitational is offering a total prize purse of Ksh 2 million, alongside Official World Golf Ranking points, World Amateur Golf Ranking points, and valuable Sunshine Development Tour Order of Merit points, crucial in the race for Sunshine Tour promotion and also count towards qualification for the 2026 Magical Kenya Open.

The Thika Greens Golf Resort leg of the Absa Invitational Series will culminate tomorrow before paving way for the Karen Country Club event next week.