Muthaiga Golf Club’s Njoroge Kibugu showcased an outstanding performance to top the final leaderboard as the NCBA Bank-sponsored Magical Kenya Open Qualifiers concluded on Friday at the par-72 Sigona Golf Club.
Kibugu led a field of 48 pros who competed over four rounds at Muthaiga and Sigona golf clubs to secure one of the eight coveted slots reserved for Kenyan pros in the 2025 Magical Kenya Open, set to take place from February 20-23 at Muthaiga Golf Club.
Kibugu, who maintained his dominance throughout the qualifiers, wrapped up the tournament in spectacular fashion, carding 3-under par 69 on the final round held today at Sigona to finish with a total score of 15-under par 271.
On the front nine, he recorded birdies on the 1st, 2nd, and 9th holes, with a single bogey on the 3rd hole.
He was in top form on the back nine, firing birdies on the 10th and 12th holes and finishing strongly with birdies on all but the final hole.
“I hit the ball well and executed my game plan. It has been a good experience, building towards the Magical Kenya Open, and I hope to carry it forward. The most improved aspect of my game is my putting, which has been phenomenal, but my wedges have been diabolical, which I need to work on. I am happy to have qualified for the Kenya Open, and now it’s just preparing for the main tournament,” said Kibugu.
Kibugu’s road to victory began with an exceptional opening two rounds at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club, where he scored back-to-back 5-under par 66s.
At Sigona, he maintained his lead with a 2-under par 70 in the third round before sealing his triumph in the final round.
Finishing second on the leaderboard was Greg Snow, who posted a total of 10-under par 276.
Snow’s final round was his best of the tournament, as he carded a 6-under par 66, fuelled by birdies on the 10th, 11th, 12th, 15th, 16th, and 18th holes.
“It’s been a good experience, a good learning curve. Considering the rains over the past few days, I think the course was playing really well today and a bit easier. Muthaiga was a bit harder. I think I need to work on my short game going to the Kenya Open,” said Snow.
David Wakhu secured the third spot with a total score of 10-under par 276.
The eight qualifiers will now shift their focus to the 2025 Magical Kenya Open, where they will compete against an elite field of international players at Muthaiga Golf Club.
The tournament, a key event on the DP World Tour calendar, provides a crucial platform for Kenyan professionals to showcase their talent on a global stage.
PGK Chairman CJ Wangai praised NCBA for the support, saying, “We are really delighted for the great sponsorship we received from NCBA, which made this event a possibility.We have more events coming up, also sponsored by NCBA, which will go a long way in providing the players with playing time to practice ahead of the Magical Kenya Open,” said Wangai.
