Michael Karanga of Kiambu Golf Club emerged victorious at the Karen Challenge on Sunday, August 11, 2024, held at the par-72 Karen Country Club.
Karanga finished with an impressive total score of 210, going 6-under-par over the three-day tournament.
He was trailed by John Lejirma from Kenya Railways, who secured second place with a score of 216, and Adel Balala, who finished third with a 221 total.
Karanga started the tournament strong with a round of 73 on Friday and maintained his form with another 73 on Saturday.
However, it was his stellar performance on Sunday, where he shot an outstanding 8-under-par 64, that sealed his victory.
This win marks Karanga’s fourth triumph in this year’s Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series, having competed in 10 tournaments.
His recent victories include the 104th NCBA Coast Open ‘Barry Cup’ at Mombasa Golf Club on July 28, the NCBA Coronation Cup at Nakuru on June 2, and the NCBA Limuru Open on July 7.
The Karen Challenge was sponsored by NCBA Bank and Jamii Telecom.
Following his victory, Karanga now leads the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship 2024 Series leaderboard with 591.9 points.
Lejirma, who had held the top spot in the KAGC 2024 Series for months, has now slipped to second with 573.9 points from 15 tournaments.
He has also had an impressive season, securing four titles: the NCBA Gold Fields Trophy at Kakamega Golf Club on June 30, the NCBA Ruiru Open on June 16, the Ronald Marshal and Toby Gibson Cup on May 18 at Njoro Golf Club in Nakuru, and the Trans Nzoia Open on April 24.
Elvis Muigua of Kiambu Golf Club ranks third in the 2024 KAGC standings with 397.2 points from 15 tournaments.
Muigua started the season with a bang, winning three consecutive titles—the Sigona Bowl in January, the Great Rift Valley Championship in February, and the Windsor Classic in March.