Jacques Kruyswijk will be aiming to keep the trophy on African soil this week when he defends his title at the Magical Kenya Open presented by absa in Nairobi.
The South African finished two shots ahead of Englishman John Parry to secure his first DP World Tour title in Kenya last year.
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Kruyswijk recorded a top five finish the last time the Magical Kenya Open was played at Karen Country Club in 2021, and he is hoping a combination of course knowledge and his experience of playing at higher altitudes will hold him in good stead afront of a passionate local crowd.
Another player looking to replicate his winning ways is Germany’s Freddy Schott. The 24-year-old will tee it up for the first time since his maiden DP World Tour win at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship earlier this month.
Schott, who has played twice in Kenya to date, is eager to return to action and build on his impressive form, for what will be his first appearance at Karen Country Club.
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The pair will be joined by the strongest ever contingent of Kenyan players, with 12 professionals and five amateurs ready to represent their country with pride.
Home favourite Greg Snow will be looking to capitalise on his strong recent form, having already recorded a win and two top ten finishes on the Big Easy Tour – the South Africa-based development circuit for the Sunshine Tour – so far this season.
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Snow qualified for his national championship after topping the PGA Equator Tour Order of Merit in Kenya, winning his fourth title as the inaugural season ended last month, and he is determined to make his first cut on the DP World Tour this week.
Njoroge Kibugu and David Wakhu are among the other local hopes, while four past winners in Darius van Driel (2024), Jorge Campillo (2023), Justin Harding (2021) and Guido Migliozzi (2019) will be keen to taste Magical Kenya Open presented by absa success once again.
The $2.7 million DP World Tour tournament makes its return to Karen Country Club this week, having been played at Muthaiga Golf Club for the past four years.
Player quotes
Jacques Kruyswijk: This is the first time I am defending on the DP World Tour so it’s quite special. Last year [in Kenya] was a memorable time for me. It set up my career quite nicely going forward so being back in Kenya is always special. I am looking forward to getting out there.
The wins that I’ve had in South Africa were in the leading position so I kind of know what to do in that situation. I feel very comfortable in that position but if you were giving me an option before going into the final round I would have loved chasing by one or two, I love chasing, I’m a chasing player. But either/or, it was awesome to get over the line last year and it set up what’s going forward.
I’ve played here in 2021 when they had the back-to-back events so I’m not unfamiliar with the golf course so I’m kind of excited to get out there. I look forward to seeing the course and feeling the greens a little bit.
Freddy Schott: I’m feeling great. I’m happy to be back in Kenya, playing a beautiful golf course and looking forward.
It was tough to realise at first (the win in Bahrain). I took some time [off], had some great time at home with my family and friends to realise [everything]. But at the end of the day, I am here to play well again and that’s what I am after.
It was great (reaction from peers). Everyone came up to me to congratulate me. I felt really special. It’s just another thing where I feel like I have arrived.
It feels very good. We have put in some great work throughout the off-season. That it paid off wasn’t in the plan, but we will take it and keep trying to get better.
I think the course is really, really cool, especially with the set-up you can play around with it a little. There are some tricky tee shots as always in Kenya so really looking forward to that. I have got my mini driver again with me so let’s see.
