Muthaiga Golf Club’s Njoroge Kibugu delivered a commanding performance to top the final leaderboard as the NCBA Bank-sponsored Magical Kenya Open Qualifiers came to an exciting conclusion on Friday at Sigona Golf Club. Kibugu’s victory secured him one of the coveted eight spots reserved for Kenyan professionals in the 2025 Magical Kenya Open, set to take place at Muthaiga Golf Club from February 20-23.
Kibugu, who dominated the field of 48 competitors across four rounds, clinched the top spot with a total score of 15-under par 271. His final round was a remarkable 3-under par 69 at Sigona, which cemented his place in the prestigious tournament. Kibugu’s stellar performance included birdies on the 1st, 2nd, and 9th holes on the front nine, and an impressive run of birdies on the back nine, with the only blemish being a bogey on the 3rd hole. His form was unshakable as he closed out the round with birdies on all but the final hole.
“I hit the ball well and executed my game plan,” Kibugu said after the tournament. “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, but my wedges need more work. I’m excited to have qualified for the Kenya Open, and now it’s all about preparing for the main tournament.”
Kibugu’s journey to victory began with an exceptional start at Muthaiga Golf Club, where he fired back-to-back 5-under par 66s. He carried that momentum to Sigona, where a 2-under par 70 in the third round kept him in the lead before sealing his triumph with his final-round performance.
In second place, Greg Snow finished with a total score of 10-under par 276, thanks to an impressive final-round 6-under par 66. His performance featured birdies on holes 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, and 18. Snow, reflecting on his experience, noted, “It’s been a good learning curve. Considering the rains, the course played a bit easier, but Muthaiga was more challenging. I need to focus on my short game ahead of the Kenya Open.”
David Wakhu secured third place with a score of 10-under par 276, rounding out the top three.
The eight Kenyan professionals who qualified will now shift their focus to the 2025 Magical Kenya Open, a key event on the DP World Tour calendar. It will provide them with a platform to compete against an elite field of international players, showcasing their talent on the global stage.
PGK Chairman CJ Wangai expressed his gratitude for NCBA’s support, saying, “We are delighted for the great sponsorship we received from NCBA. It has made this event possible, and we have more events ahead, all sponsored by NCBA, which will provide players with valuable practice time before the Magical Kenya Open.”
