Njoroge holds East Africa’s flag as 69 make cut at Magical Kenya Open

Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club’s Njoroge Kibugu will be the only East African and regional golfer outside South Africa to partake of the hefty sh9.7b prize money at this year’s Magical Kenya Open presented by Absa.

Kibugu, 23, who is currently ranked 1360th in the Official World Golf Ranking, carded 5-under 135 in 36 holes to make the cut alongside 68 others in the 57th edition of the DP World Tour event played at the par-70 Karen Golf Club course.

As the other 17 East Africans, including ten professionals and five amateurs, failed to make the grade, it was Kibugu who weathered the storm to emerge as the only East African to enter the weekend action.

He built on his strong start of 4-under 66 to make the cut for the second time in his fifth appearance since he burst onto the scene at just 18 during the 2022 event at Muthaiga Golf Club, where his six-under-par 136 made him the first Kenyan teenager ever to reach the weekend action.

Celestine Nsanzuwera reacts to a missed birdie opportunity putt during the second round of the MKO at Karen. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

The Kenyan gallery had followed the action with keen interest right from the first hole, with the youngster staying solid with another birdie on the par-3 hole-7 on the front nine, to extend his score to -5. But bogeys on the par-4 hole 12 and on the par-3, 14, threatened to spoil the party.

A roller coaster of emotions engulfed the atmosphere thereafter as live results from the rest of the field indicated the cut would only be possible with -4. But the bogeys had reduced his effort to -3 with four holes to go.

He now badly needed a birdie on any of the holes to get in. He played three consecutive pars on 15, 16, and 17 as anxiety among the fans grew. But Kibugu’s determination prevailed in the end as he wrapped up proceedings with a sweet eagle on the 18th to send the gallery into ecstasy.

“I didn't expect it to go as close as it did. I was trying to hit the centre of the green, but it came out hot. And yeah, I had a 4-footer to finish, and the rest is history,” Kibugu said.

“I encountered an unforced error on 12, which I didn't need to make at the time.  On 14 again, a lapse of judgement, wasn't in the zone, clocked out a bit. But I managed to get it back. I knew I needed to steady it during 15, 16, and 17 just to get to 18, and I'm pretty proud of myself for doing so.” Kibugu’s dad, Daniel Kagwe, had to witness history unfold, and he couldn’t hide his excitement.

“I didn't even expect him to be there. But yeah, it's amazing to see. He was so happy, and it's nice to share that emotion with him, you know. He's poured his heart and soul into me playing golf his whole life, and I can't be more grateful to him and my mum.  They're the reason I'm here, and yeah, I'm happy he's happy.” An expectant crowd is expected to follow him in the last two rounds, but Kibugu is just expecting to draw energy from their company. 

Lacroix Frederic

“We like the energy they bring to the tournament. And yeah, I just can't wait to play the weekend, you know.”

After a three-year lull, Kenya has one of their own making the cut. 

“I've come off a couple of wins, and I felt like I deserved to be playing in the weekend and more so contending. Not quite there, but I'm just proud to be there.” at the weekend. 

Absa-Uganda-sponsored Rwandan Celestine Nsanzuwera from Kigali Golf Club came close to making it but missed by two strokes, alongside Edwin Mudanyi and John Lejirma (amateur), and five others who all missed the cut reserved for the top 60 and ties.

In total, 75 players missed out on the cash. Frenchman Frederic Lacroix and overnight leader Casey Jarvis shares the lead at 13 under par. The pair held a two-shot lead over Spanish Angel Ayora, South African Hennie Du Plessis and Portuguese Ricardo Gouveia, who are all tied for third, two strokes away in the third round.