The 2024 edition of the Magical Kenya Open, which has attracted 144 elite golfers from around the world, will kick off Thursday at the par-71 Muthaiga Golf Club, Nairobi.
Magical Kenya Open, which is under the umbrella of the DP World Tour (formerly European Tour), is one of the most prestigious golf tournaments in Africa.
This year’s event will mark the fifth staging of a full European Tour event in Kenya since it was added to the elite series in 2019.
In this year’s edition, the golfers will battle for the USD2.5 million (approximately Sh360,000,000) prize purse.
The Kenyan contingent at the tournament will comprise of 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 are Zimbabwean Visitor Mapwanya and Uganda’s Ronald Rugumayo and David Kamulindwa.
Kenya’s pro and regional golfers will be joined by five local amateurs; John Lejirma, Deaflympics bronze medalist Isaac Makokha, Africa’s second-best hitter Michael Karanga, Josphat Rono and Taimur Malik.
On Tuesday, Indiza, Njoroge and Nduva said they were ready to make history in this year’s MKO.
“In the previous Magical Kenya Open tournaments, I have always played well and cut. Expect nothing less this year because I’m well prepared. Kenyans should expect good results from us,” said Indiza, the champion of the Safari Tour 2023/24 series.
Njoroge, who is prepping for a fourth Kenya Open appearance as a pro and a fifth on the European Tour, hopes to make the cut this time around.
“Compared to the other years, I’ve been working very hard, I’ve been sharpening my game. So, this year I hope to do well, make the cut, and probably finish in the top 20s,” said Njoroge.
Nduva said he will be battling for the top 10 position.
“This year, to be honest, the first thing we want to make is cut, That’s the hard part. Once we cut, I feel like we can try to go a bit lower into the top 20 or even not the top 10. So, my first goal is just to cut this year,” said Nduva
The Kenyan team will be up against some notable names from the DP World Tour, including the likes of World No. 87 Thriston Lawrence, No.77 Rikuya Hoshino, No. 130 Alex Fitzpatrick. Dylan Frittelli, as well as former Kenya Open winners Justin Harding, Romain Langasque and Ashun Wu, among others.
On Tuesday, the trio received sponsorship from Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) to participate in the Magical Kenya Open series.
KBL, through its premium whisky brand Johnnie Walker, announced a Sh34 million sponsorship boost for the 2024 Magical Kenya Open.
The sponsorship grants EABL the right to be the Official Alcoholic Beverage partner of the tournament, through which it will seek to elevate the event’s experience, sponsoring entertainment at the tournament village and offering fans a taste of its brands.
The sponsorship will also support the tournament organizers, the Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) to meet their obligations around event organization and the prize money.
KBL Managing Director Mark Ocitti expressed the company’s pride in being a longtime supporter of the tournament and the sport of golf in Kenya in general.
“We are proud to renew our partnership with the Magical Kenya Open and to sponsor the tournament through our premium spirit brand, Johnnie Walker. As a long-standing supporter of golf in Kenya, we are committed to providing fans with a bespoke and memorable experience at the tournament,” he said.
KOGL Commercial Director Ronald Meru commended EABL for the sponsorship, noting it will assist in ensuring the success of the tournament.
“This sponsorship will assist us in meeting our obligations around event organization and prize-giving money,” he said.
Meru added Magical Kenya Open is an important tournament that plays a significant role in positioning Kenya as an international tourism and sporting destination.
“We are excited to welcome international golfers to our country and promise them the best experience. I urge Kenyans to turn up in large numbers to cheer on their favourite golfers and showcase our,” said Meru.
