On Friday, all 13 Kenyan golfers (9 pros and 4 amateurs) failed to make a cut in the ongoing Magical Kenya Open 2024 edition at the Muthaiga Golf Club.
This is the first time since the introduction of DP World Tour status in Kenya in 2019, that a local player has failed to proceed to the last two rounds of the tournament.
The competition has attracted 144 local and international golfers competing for the Sh377 million prize purse.
Dutch golfer Darius Van Driel, Scotland’s Connor Syme and Finland’s Tapio Pulkkanen held a share of a three-way lead of the Magical Kenya Open after the second round Friday.
Van Driel, who won in the first round on Thursday with 5-under 66, carded 2-under par 69 on Friday.
On Friday, both Syme and Pulkkanen both carded 3-under par 68.
In the tournament, Kenya was represented by nine professional golfers; Dismas Indiza, Greg Snow, Mike Kisia, Mohit Mediratta, Samuel Njoroge, Daniel Nduva, Jastas Madoya, Mutahi Kibugu and Njoroge Kibugu.
The nine were picked from the Safari Tour Order of Merit, where the top locals and two best regional players made slots for the Magical Kenya Open.
The regional qualifiers were Zimbabwean Visitor Mapwanya and Uganda’s Ronald Rugumayo and David Kamulindwa.
Kenyan local four amateurs were John Lejirma, Deaflympics bronze medalist Isaac Makokha, Africa’s second-best shot hitter Michael Karanga, and Josphat Rono.
Indiza is the only Kenyan who nearly made a cut in the ongoing 2024 Magical Kenya Open after an impressive performance in the second round, where he carded a one-under-par 70.
Friday’s results brought his total score to 2 over 144.
“I am not happy with the general score but I believe I played well. That first bogey on the Par-4 sixth was painful at a time when I had started making a good comeback,” said Indiza, who is the reigning champion of the Safari Tour 2023/24 Golf series.
Kenya’s leading amateur, Michael Karanga, showcased an impressive performance, carding a level par 71 in the second round.
However, this recovery came after a somewhat challenging first day, where he scored 4 over par 75.
Cumulatively, his two-day play concluded with a total score of 4 over 146, placing him at the 111th position alongside 10 other golfers.
“I played good golf. I made six buddies, but, unfortunately, I dropped six shots. I ended up playing level par which wasn’t a bad score, but not good enough considering that I had played a +4 on the first day,” he said.
Mutahi Kibugu said he will now be focusing on the next tournament after missing the cut Friday.
“Unfortunately, I could not make the weekend at this year’s Magical Kenya Open. Big thank you to my friends and family and anyone who came out to watch, thank you so much for the support! I’ll be sure to work harder and come back stronger,” he said.