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.

Dismas Indiza in action during Round One of the Absa Invitational Series at Thika Greens Golf Resort.

By DANIELLA APIYO

Kakamega Sports Club professional Dismas Indiza took early control of the Absa Invitational, the ninth leg of the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing, after carding an impressive five under par 66 in the opening round at Thika Greens Golf Resort.

Indiza got off to a strong start with an eagle on the second hole, followed by birdies on the fourth and sixth, as he went out bogey free on the front nine. On the back nine, he added further birdies on the 13th and 14th, with his only dropped shot coming on the 11th to close the day at the top of the leaderboard.

Speaking after his round, Indiza said:

“It was a good start for me today. The eagle early on really settled me and helped with confidence. I stayed patient, took the chances that came my way and managed my game well. The course is in good condition and there is still a lot of golf to be played, so the focus now is to keep the same approach over the next two rounds.”

A three-way tie for second place on three under par was shared by Nyeri Golf Club’s Mutahi Kibugu, Limuru Country Club’s Taimur Malik, and Uganda’s Willy Deus.

Kibugu’s round featured birdies on holes one, four, ten and thirteen, with a single bogey on the par three 15th.

Commenting on his round, Mutahi said, “My form is good and I am playing really good golf at the moment. Towards the end of last year I started winning some events and I have carried that confidence into this year. Tomorrow I just need to stick to my game plan, stay confident and not shy away from winning.”

Naom Wafula attempts a bunker shot during the opening round of the Absa Invitational Series at Thika Greens Golf Resort.

Malik recorded birdies on the second, fifth, sixth and 17th holes, with a bogey on the fourth, while Kitata carded birdies on the second, fourth, seventh, 14th and 17th, dropping shots on the fifth and 11th.

Deus said, “My round was okay, with a few mistakes here and there. The greens were a bit bumpy, but we all played in the same conditions. I left a few putts out there, but any time you finish under par, you take it. I struck the ball really well today and my ball striking was spot on, which was important for me.”

Joint fifth place on 2-under par was shared by Muthaiga Golf Club’s Greg Snow, Zimbabwe’s Visitor Mapwanya and Mohit Mediratta.

A group of four players finished the day on 1-under par, tied for eighth place. They include Nigeria’s Sunday Olapade, Royal Nairobi Golf Club’s Njoroge Kibugu, Kenya’s Jacob Okello and David Wakhu.

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.

Round two continues on Thursday, 15th January at Thika Greens Golf Resort, with the first group expected to tee-off at 7:30am.