Kenya’s elite amateur golfer Michael Karanga of Kiambu Golf Club has qualified for next year’s Magical Kenya Open.
The tournament is slated for February 20–23 at Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi.
Although Karanga lost the 2024 NCBA Nyali Open title to John Lejirma of Kenya Railway Golf Club on Sunday, his exceptional performance throughout the year saw him claim the overall Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series title.
He topped the leaderboard with 834.5 points after competing in 18 tournaments, winning nine of them.
His victories this season include prestigious tournaments such as the Uhuru Shield, NCBA Kiambu Golf Open, NCBA Manchester Salver, NCBA Kenya Railways Invitational, NCBA Coronation Cup, NCBA Limuru Open, NCBA Coast Open Barry Cup, Karen Challenge, and the Malindi Open Vasco da Gama Cup.
This is Karanga’s second consecutive KAGC title, following his dominant 2023 season where he won 13 of 17 tournaments.
With his 2024 series win, he secures automatic qualification for the 2025 event, a prominent stop on the DP World Tour that attracts elite professional golfers from around the globe.
Karanga has set ambitious goals for the upcoming tournament.
“Next year at the Magical Kenya Open, I aim to make the cut, or even finish in the top ten, and create history for Kenya,” he said.
The Kenya Golf Union (KGU) has been allocated six slots for the Magical Kenya Open, three of which have already been filled.
Joining Karanga are William Odeck from Nyali Golf and Country Club and Ugandan Michael Alunga.
Odeck earned his place by winning the 47th Kenya Stroke Play Championship held at Nyali Golf and Country Club in August.
Alunga, a US-based golfer, secured his qualification by triumphing in the 102nd Kenya Amateur Matchplay Championship at Windsor Golf and Country Club in July.
KGU Chairman David Ndungu stated that the remaining three slots will be determined in mid-January through the union’s established selection process.
“The final three slots will be allocated according to our rules and regulations. We expect to announce the selected players by mid-January,” Ndungu said.
The 2024 Magical Kenya Open showcased a strong lineup of amateur and professional golfers.
Representing Kenya among the amateurs were Karanga, Lejirma, Isaac Makokha, and Josphat Rono.
Professional players included Dismas Indiza, Greg Snow, Mike Kisia, Mohit Mediratta, Samuel Njoroge, Daniel Nduva, Jastas Madoya, Mutahi Kibugu, and Njoroge Kibugu.
Dutch golfer Darius Van Driel claimed victory at the 2024 event, pocketing a prize of Sh53 million.