Kenya Open

The Kenya Open, currently titled as the Magical Kenya Open for sponsorship reasons, is a professional golf tournament in Kenya founded in 1967.[1]

Magical Kenya Open
Tournament information
LocationNairobi, Kenya
Established1967
Course(s)Muthaiga Golf Club
Par71
Length7,228 yards (6,609 m)
Tour(s)European Tour
Challenge Tour
Safari Circuit
FormatStroke play
Prize fundUS$2,000,000
Month playedMarch
Tournament record score
Aggregate263 Justin Harding (2021)
To par−21 as above
Current champion
Spain Jorge Campillo
Location Map
Muthaiga GC is located in Kenya
Muthaiga GC
Muthaiga GC
Location in Kenya

History

The Kenya Open was an associate event on the Far East Circuit in 1967 and 1968,[2][3] after which it became a cornerstone of the emerging Safari Circuit – a collection of tournaments initially in Kenya and Zambia, and then later in Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Zimbabwe.[4] The European Tour, who had taken over running of the Safari Tour in the late 1970s, began to expand globally through the 1980s and those events formally became part of the second tier Challenge Tour in 1991. With the exception of the 1994 event, the Kenya Open remained on the Challenge Tour schedule until 2019 when it was elevated to the elite European Tour schedule.

In 2019, the tournament became a European Tour event and was played in mid-March during the same week as The Players Championship on the PGA Tour.[5]

The tournament has always been held near Nairobi, either at Muthaiga Golf Club (1967, 1969–2002, 2009–2012, 2017–2018, 2022–2023) or at Karen Country Club (1968, 2004–2008, 2013–2016, 2019, 2021).

The title has been won by some of Europe's Ryder Cup golfers, including Seve Ballesteros, Ian Woosnam, Ken Brown, Edoardo Molinari and Christy O'Connor Jnr, as well as future Masters champion Trevor Immelman. The most successful player is Maurice Bembridge, who recorded three victories between 1968 and 1979.

Winners
YearTour[lower-alpha 1]WinnerScoreTo parMargin of
victory		Runner(s)-upVenueRef.
Magical Kenya Open
2023EURSpain Jorge Campillo266−182 strokesJapan Masahiro KawamuraMuthaiga[6]
2022EURChina Wu Ashun268−164 strokesCanada Aaron Cockerill
South Africa Thriston Lawrence
Germany Hurly Long		Muthaiga[7]
2021EURSouth Africa Justin Harding263−212 strokesUnited States Kurt KitayamaKaren[8]
2020EURCancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic[9]
2019EURItaly Guido Migliozzi268−161 strokeSpain Adri Arnaus
South Africa Louis de Jager
South Africa Justin Harding		Karen[10]
Barclays Kenya Open
2018CHAItaly Lorenzo Gagli273−11PlayoffSweden Jens FahrbringMuthaiga[11]
2017CHAEngland Aaron Rai267−173 strokesFrance Adrien SaddierMuthaiga[12]
2016CHASweden Sebastian Söderberg270−183 strokesFrance Romain LangasqueKaren[13]
2015CHASouth Africa Haydn Porteous271−17PlayoffSouth Africa Brandon StoneKaren[14]
2014CHASouth Africa Jake Roos278−101 strokeFrance Adrien Bernadet
Denmark Lasse Jensen
Spain Pedro Oriol		Karen[15]
2013CHASpain Jordi García Pinto272−121 strokeNetherlands Tim SluiterKaren[16]
2012CHAEngland Seve Benson274−10PlayoffDenmark Lasse JensenMuthaiga[17]
2011CHASouth Africa Michiel Bothma270−142 strokesSouth Africa Tyrone FerreiraMuthaiga[18]
Kenya Open
2010CHAEngland Robert Dinwiddie272−123 strokesArgentina Julio ZapataMuthaiga[19]
Tusker Kenya Open
2009CHAEngland Gary Boyd271−134 strokesEngland Andrew Butterfield
England Philip Golding		Muthaiga[20]
2008CHAEngland Iain Pyman272−123 strokesAustria Thomas FeyrsingerKaren[21]
2007CHAItaly Edoardo Molinari274−61 strokeSouth Africa James KamteKaren[22]
2006CHASweden Johan Axgren270−104 strokesEngland James Hepworth
England Gary Lockerbie		Karen[23]
2005CHAArgentina Daniel Vancsik272−83 strokesSouth Africa Michael KirkKaren[24]
Kenya Open
2004CHAZimbabwe Marc Cayeux270−10PlayoffSweden Leif WesterbergKaren[25]
2003: No tournament
Sameer Kenya Open
2002CHAEngland Lee S. James265−193 strokesSouth Africa Titch MooreMuthaiga[26]
Tusker Kenya Open
2001CHASouth Africa Ashley Roestoff271−13PlayoffEngland Andrew SherborneMuthaiga[27]
2000CHASouth Africa Trevor Immelman270−144 strokesSweden Henrik StensonMuthaiga[28]
1999CHANetherlands Maarten Lafeber265−193 strokesSweden Erik AnderssonMuthaiga[29]
1998CHAArgentina Ricardo González272−12PlayoffKenya Jacob OkelloMuthaiga
Lonrho Kenya Open
1997CHAArgentina Jorge Berendt268−164 strokesSouth Africa Sammy DanielsMuthaiga
Kenya Open
1996CHAScotland Mike Miller272−12PlayoffEngland Phil Harrison
England Robert Lee		Muthaiga
1995CHAWales James Lee265−195 strokesDenmark Thomas Bjørn
South Africa Chris Williams		Muthaiga
1994England Paul Carman276−8PlayoffEngland Glenn RalphMuthaiga
1993CHAScotland Craig Maltman276−8PlayoffEngland Peter Harrison
Sweden Daniel Westermark		Muthaiga[30]
Standard Chartered Kenya Open
1992CHASwitzerland André Bossert272−121 strokeScotland Craig MaltmanMuthaiga[31]
1991CHAEngland Jeremy Robinson269−155 strokesWales Paul Affleck
England Philip Golding
Scotland Sandy Stephen		Muthaiga
555 Kenya Open
1990SAFRepublic of Ireland Christy O'Connor Jnr271−132 strokesEngland Chris PlattsMuthaiga[32]
1989SAFNorthern Ireland David Jones271−133 strokesWales Mark MoulandMuthaiga[33]
1988SAFEngland Chris Platts271−131 strokeWales Mark MoulandMuthaiga[34]
1987SAFEngland Carl Mason275−9PlayoffEngland Gordon J. Brand
England Roger Chapman
England Martin Poxon		Muthaiga[35]
1986SAFWales Ian Woosnam273−11PlayoffScotland Bill LongmuirMuthaiga[36]
1985SAFScotland Garry Harvey278−61 strokeEngland Brian WaitesMuthaiga[37]
1984SAFSpain José María Cañizares277−7PlayoffEngland David J. RussellMuthaiga[38]
Benson & Hedges Kenya Open
1983SAFScotland Ken Brown274−101 strokeEngland Jeff HallMuthaiga[39]
1982SAFRepublic of Ireland Eamonn Darcy274−101 strokeEngland David JaggerMuthaiga[40]
1981SAFScotland Brian Barnes274−101 strokeScotland Bernard Gallacher
Scotland Sandy Lyle		Muthaiga[41]
1980SAFEngland Brian Waites271−131 strokeScotland Bill LongmuirMuthaiga[42][43]
1979SAFEngland Maurice Bembridge (3)271−13PlayoffScotland Bernard GallacherMuthaiga[44]
Kenya Open
1978SAFSpain Seve Ballesteros274−101 strokeScotland Bernard GallacherMuthaiga[45]
1977SAFRepublic of Ireland Liam Higgins283−11 strokeEngland Gary Smith
England Bob Wynn		Muthaiga[46]
1976: No tournament due to economic problems[1]
1975England Gary Smith276−12PlayoffAustralia Jack NewtonMuthaiga[47]
1974England David Jagger274−141 strokeEngland Malcolm GregsonMuthaiga[48]
1973Netherlands Jan Dorrestein (2)276−121 strokeEngland David JaggerMuthaiga[49]
1972Wales David Llewellyn279−92 strokesEngland Peter TuplingMuthaiga[50]
1971Republic of Ireland Ernie Jones283−5PlayoffEngland Russell MeekMuthaiga[51]
1970Netherlands Jan Dorrestein273−1514 strokesEngland Malcolm Gregson
Scotland Ronnie Shade
Australia Bob Tuohy		Muthaiga[52]
1969England Maurice Bembridge (2)279−95 strokesScotland Bernard Gallacher
Zambia Simon Hobday (a)		Muthaiga[53]
1968England Maurice Bembridge289+12 strokesSouth Africa Terry WestbrookKaren[54]
1967England Guy Wolstenholme279−94 strokesAustralia Peter ThomsonMuthaiga[55][56]

Notes
  1. CHA − Challenge Tour; EUR − European Tour; SAF − Safari Circuit.

References
  1. Quick, Tina; Quick, Jonathan; Burdick, Robert (1993). Rhinos in the Rough:A Golfers Guide to Kenya. Kenway Publications. ISBN 9966464662.
  2. "Seven events in F-E circuit". The Straits Times. Singapore. Reuter. 10 April 1967. p. 17. Retrieved 12 March 2020 – via National Library Board.
  3. Boey, Francis (29 December 1967). "Club members pay for Fisher's trip". The Straits Times. Singapore. p. 18. Retrieved 7 July 2020 – via National Library Board.
  4. Walubita, Moses Sayela (1990). Zambia Sporting Score. Multimedia Publications. p. 166. ISBN 9982300393 – via Google Books.
  5. "European Tour Announces Expansive Global Schedule for 2019". European Tour. 29 October 2018.
  6. "DP World Tour: Jorge Campillo completes impressive two-shot victory at Magical Kenya Open". Sky Sports. 12 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  7. "DP World Tour: Ashun Wu cruises to victory at Magical Kenya Open after Ewen Ferguson blows lead". Sky Sports. 6 March 2022.
  8. "Flawless Harding takes title in Kenya". European Tour. 21 March 2021.
  9. "Kenya: Rescheduled Magical Kenya Open Now Cancelled". ESPN. Associated Press. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  10. "Migliozzi wins Kenya Open for first European Tour title". Golf Channel. Associated Press. 17 March 2019. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  11. "Gagli triumphs in Kenya epic". European Tour. 25 March 2018.
  12. "Tears and cheers as Rai wins in Kenya". European Tour. 26 March 2017.
  13. "Soderberg reigns supreme to become Kenyan king". European Tour. 20 March 2016.
  14. Bishumba, Richard (13 April 2015). "South African Porteous wins Kenya Open". The New Times. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  15. "Roos let loose to claim Kenyan title". European Tour. 9 March 2014.
  16. "Garcia Pinto claims Kenyan title". European Tour. 17 February 2013.
  17. "Benson wins play-off for Kenyan victory". European Tour. 1 April 2012.
  18. "Bothma crowned the king of Kenya". European Tour. 3 April 2011.
  19. "Hot putter paves the way for Dinwiddie's success". European Tour. 28 March 2010.
  20. "Gary is Boyd by Tusker Kenya Open success". European Tour. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  21. "Hot Pyman wins the Tusker Kenya Open". European Tour. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  22. "Molinari Stages Remarkable Recovery to win in Kenya". European Tour. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  23. "Axgren Moves to Number One with Victory at the Tusker Kenya Open". European Tour. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  24. "Vancsik Charges through to Tusker Kenya Open Title". European Tour. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  25. "Cayeux Continues his Comeback in Style at the Kenya Open". European Tour. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  26. "James bridges six year gap with victory in Kenya". European Tour. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  27. "Roestoff pips Sherborne in Kenya playoff". European Tour. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  28. "Immelman is king in Kenya". European Tour. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  29. "Lafeber secures maiden title in Nairobi". European Tour. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  30. "Craig Maltman". The Daily Telegraph. 8 February 1993. p. 39 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. "Scotland's Craig Maltman". The Daily Telegraph. 27 January 1992. p. 37 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. "Golf". The Glasgow Herald. 29 January 1990. p. 21.
  33. "Jones in his prime - after 20 years". The Glasgow Herald. 13 February 1989. p. 17.
  34. "Chris Platts". The Glasgow Herald. 15 February 1988. p. 12.
  35. "Carl Mason". The Glasgow Herald. 2 March 1987. p. 11.
  36. "Longmuir is pipped by Woosnam". The Glasgow Herald. 10 March 1986. p. 9.
  37. "Kenya victory regains Harvey his tour card". The Glasgow Herald. 11 March 1985. p. 19.
  38. "£3200 cost of Russell lapses". The Glasgow Herald. 12 March 1984. p. 21.
  39. "Surprise win for Brown". The Glasgow Herald. 14 March 1983. p. 18.
  40. "Ireland's Eamonn Darcy". The Glasgow Herald. 15 March 1982. p. 15.
  41. "Scots trio finish top in Kenya". The Glasgow Herald. 16 March 1981. p. 19.
  42. "Plaster puts out Lyle". The Guardian. 17 March 1980. p. 23.
  43. "Golf". The Guardian. 17 March 1980. p. 25.
  44. "Miss from three feet costs Bernie title". The Glasgow Herald. 19 March 1979. p. 20.
  45. "Gallacher loses by one shot". The Glasgow Herald. 11 March 1978. p. 31.
  46. "Torrance (78) crashes". The Glasgow Herald. 14 March 1977. p. 16.
  47. "Gary Smith". The Glasgow Herald. 3 March 1975. p. 16.
  48. "Jagger wins from Gregson". The Glasgow Herald. 5 March 1974. p. 4.
  49. "Dorrestein 12 under par". The Glasgow Herald. 12 March 1973. p. 4.
  50. "Shade third after a 7". The Glasgow Herald. 10 April 1972. p. 5.
  51. "Nairobi". The Times. 19 April 1971. p. 7.
  52. "Scotland's Ronnie Shade". The Evening Times. 6 April 1970. p. 13.
  53. "Bembridge keeps Kenya Open golf title". The Canberra Times. Vol. 43, no. 12286. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 15 April 1969. p. 23. Retrieved 22 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  54. "Kenya Open". The Age. 23 April 1968. p. 24.
  55. "Wolstenholme wins golf". The Age. 25 April 1967. p. 24.
  56. "G. B. Wolstenholme". The Glasgow Herald. 24 April 1967. p. 6.

1.3412°S 36.7152°E / -1.3412; 36.7152

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