Five past winners have confirmed their participation in this year’s Magical Kenya Open golf championship slated February 20-23rd at the Muthaiga Golf Club.
Defending Champion Darius Van Driel of Netherlands leads the solid line up of former winners at the 2025 Kenya OPEN.
The Dutch man will face stiff opposition four other past winners who are already plotting to dethrone him from the crown.
Among them is 2023 winner Jorge Campillo of Spain who narrowly lost in last year’s final.The 2021 champion Justin Harding of South Africa will be on the course as well.
Also in the mix is the 2019 winner Guido Miggliozi of Italy as well as the 2018 champion Sebastian Soderberg of Sweden.
Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum reiterated the governments commitment to retain the stature of the event by investing in the tournament.
“As a government, we remain committed to creating an enabling environment for sports organisations to thrive in our country. Our commitment is driven by the fact that sports does not only bring us together as a nation but also enable our youth to pursue their sporting talent. It is for this reason that the government has once again agreed to invest heavily financially in making sure that Kenya hosts the Magical Kenya Open 2025.”
Speaking at the same event, the Kenya Open Golf Limited chairman Peter Kanyago highlighted the tremendous growth of the golfing sport in Kenya over the years, thanks to the power of collaboration between the public and private sectors.
“We take pride in the results of our continued partnership with private sector players such as Absa, which are evidenced by the transformation of this tournament from an elitist outlook to a more inclusive family and lifestyle event,” he said.
The tournament which received sponsorship boost worth KSH.60M from Absa Bank is set to attract a total of 144 players with Kenya being represented by 13 players.
Speaking during the announcement ceremony, Absa Bank Kenya Managing Director & CEO, Abdi Mohamed, highlighted the bank’s enduring commitment to nurturing sports in the country. He emphasised the significant role sports plays in society, particularly in empowering individuals and communities to realise their ambitions.
“At Absa, our purpose is to empower Africa’s tomorrow together…one story at a time. Through our sponsorships, we showcase the undeniable socio-economic impact of sports. These initiatives boost tourism, create jobs, and invigorate local economies, illustrating our commitment to sustainable growth and community empowerment.”
He added: “Beyond the swing, the influx of attendees from around the world bolsters our hospitality and transport sectors, benefiting small businesses and local communities. This ripple effect directly enhances our economy. Moreover, the Magical Kenya Open showcases Kenya’s rich cultural heritage to a global audience, proving it’s always more than just golf; it’s about the stories that matter, because to us, every story matters.”
Winners will share the USD.2.5 M prize purse.
