Kenya’s top amateur golfer, Michael Karanga, once again asserted his dominance by winning the 2024 Malindi Open Vasco da Gama Cup at the par-70 Malindi Golf Club.
This victory came as he defended his title from last year’s Vasco da Gama Cup.
Representing Kiambu Golf Club, Karanga completed the three-round tournament with a total score of 221, finishing 11 over par.
His rounds of 74, 70, and 77 displayed both consistency and resilience on a challenging, dry Malindi course.
“Malindi was a good outing, but the course conditions were very tough. It was dry,” Karanga told Golf Score Kenya.
This win marked Karanga’s sixth title in this year’s Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC), adding to his already impressive collection.
His streak includes victories at the NCBA Kenya Railways Invitational, NCBA Coronation Cup, NCBA Limuru Open, NCBA Coast Open Barry Cup, and the Karen Challenge.
Following his Malindi triumph, Karanga sits comfortably atop the 2024 KAGC leaderboard with 693 points from 12 tournaments.
In Malindi, Karanga’s closest rival was John Lejirma of Kenya Railways Golf Club.
Lejirma delivered a strong performance, finishing with a score of 225 after rounds of 70, 75, and 80, but he could not keep pace with Karanga’s overall play.
Lejirma is currently second in the 2024 KAGC Series standings with 622 points from 19 tournaments.
He has claimed four titles this season, including the Trans Nzoia Championship, NCBA Ronald Marshal & Tobby Gibson Cup, NCBA Ruiru Open, and NCBA Gold Fields.
Ebill Omollo from Vet Lab Sports Club secured third place in Malindi with a total score of 226, posting rounds of 78, 74, and 74.
Other notable performers included Naomi Wafula of Vipingo Ridge Golf Club, who finished fourth with a score of 230, and Simon Karari of Thika Greens Golf Resort, who rounded out the top five with a total score of 231.