Why Kenyan golfers faltered at 2024 Magical Kenya Open

GOLF Why Kenyan golfers faltered at 2024 Magical Kenya Open

Abigael Wafula 11:12 - 26.02.2024

All 13 Kenyan golfers were knocked out on Day Two of the 2024 Magical Kenya Open after failing to make the cut.

Kenyan golfers were shown dust at the 2024 edition of the Magical Kenya Open with none of them making the cut to the prize money bracket.

Kenya fielded 13 golfers, including last year’s history maker Mutahi Kibugu and legendary golfer Dismas Indiza among others. However, all the Kenyan golfers were knocked out in the second round of the event.

Uganda’s Ronald Rugumayo was the only East African player who made the cut, however, he did not finish among the top 10 golfers.

The first Kenyan was ranked 81st after the conclusion of the DP World Tour Magical Kenya Open leg. Indiza secured the position after scoring a three-over-par 74 on the first day and proceeded to score a one-under-par 70 on Day Two.

On his part, Kibugu finished 116th after scoring a five-over-par 76 on Day One and Day Two, scoring a one-under-par 72.

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Daniel Nduva, another top Kenyan golfer, managed to finish 134th after scoring a three-over-par 74 on Day One and a seven-over-par 78 on Day Two.

Lamenting about the issues surrounding golf in Kenya, Nduva noted that the Kenyan golfers were pitted against very experienced golfers who have probably played in top tournaments in the world.

“If you compare us to these guys, they play well. These are world-class golfers probably ranked inside the top 100 in the world and some of them even play in the PGA Tour and the Majors.

“Playing against these guys is not easy but we just need to do well. We can do better than that,” Nduva said.

He added that the only solution to have Kenyans play better is to expose them to more events locally and internationally.

Nduva also called upon corporates to support the pro golfers because the sport is a bit expensive and they need to play more competitively to sharpen their skills.

“We need more events around Kenya…like for us pros, we don’t have many events happening here. The whole of last year we only had one event after the Kenya Open and this year all the events have been packed in January.

“With that guys get a lot of fatigue and it gets very tiring. I was talking to one of the international golfers who asked about the tour in Kenya and he was laughing at how we can host such a big event without having a meaningful tour.

“We need corporates to come on board and we need to play as much as we can. After this event, I’m sure these guys are going to play in South Africa then they will head to Singapore.

“All they are doing is sharpening their skills by playing competitive golf. You can practice all you want but without paying, there is nothing you will be doing,” he added.

He noted that the golfers need a lot of exposure but it is very difficult to get corporates to sponsor someone. He explained that the best event to play in Africa is the Sunshine Tour but it is very expensive.

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