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.

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.