Jacques Kruyswijk handed his maiden DP world tour trophy after emerging victorious at the 56th edition of the Magical Kenya Open at Muthaiga Golf Club on Sunday.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

South African pro-Jacques Kruyswijk carded a final round of four under par 67 to claim a two-shot victory over Englishman John Parry for a maiden DP World Tour Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship title at the Par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club course.

With an insatiable appetite for success, South African had his campaign effectively sewn up when Parry failed to keep up with his attack antics in the back nine.

After a nip and tuck first nine, Kruyswijk went into the closing Par 5 eighteenth with a three-shot advantage and celebrated his first victory in Kenya with verve and vigor when the Kenyan leg of the DP World Tour culminated.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for Parry who had given his all on a scorching afternoon with scintillating displays in the 72-hole strokeplay event before his chances of a maiden Kenyan title went up in smoke.

“It’s such a great feeling winning my fitst title in Kenya, I mean it was just incredible shot after shot, it has not sunk in yet,” Kruyswijk said at the 18th hole after his success in Nairobi.

Kruyswijk climbed to the top of the leaderboard ahead of the final round of the MKO presented by Absa after firing a bogey-free 64 on Saturday afternoon.

The South African had gone into Saturday’s third round seven shots off the lead but as others struggled in breezy conditions , Kruyswijk carded seven birdies in a flawless display to take a one-shot lead into day four.

Kruyswijk did not put a foot wrong in the final round as he carded four birdies in a sensational 67 to complete a bogey-free weekend and become the second South African winner of this event since it became part of the DP World Tour’s Global Schedule.

The 32-year-old started the day with a one-stroke lead but trailed halfway leader Parry after five holes of Sunday’s final round, with the Englishman making back-to-back birdies at the fourth and fifth to hit the front.

But Kruyswijk soon hit back, rolling in lengthy birdie putts on the sixth and seventh to lead by one at the turn.

A fine bunker shot on the tenth helped Kruyswijk get up and down for a birdie to move two shots clear but Parry birdied the 12th to cut the gap once more and remain within striking distance.

Kruyswijk looked comfortable leading from the front, though, continuing to give himself birdie chances and confidently knocking in par putts.

And after Parry’s errant tee shot on the 14th saw him surrender a bogey there, Kruyswijk never looked like giving up his lead, holing from range for another birdie on the 16th to stretch his advantage to three before parring his way home to enter the winner’s circle for the first time on the DP World Tour.

The South African enjoyed a stellar career as an amateur and won the Royal Silver Vase in 2011.

In 2011 he was nominated as the SA IPT Player of the Year.

Kruyswijk turned professional in January 2013 after he finished 7th in the 2013 Sunshine Tour Q-School.

In 2021, Kruyswijk recorded his second Sunshine Tour victory when he won the Sunshine Tour Invitational held at his home club, the Centurion Country Club.

He broke into the top 200 on the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time following this win.

FINAL RESULTS -KENYA OPEN 2025

1. Jacques KRUYSWIJK (RSA) 69, 66, 64, 67 (-18)

2. John PARRY (ENG) 63, 65, 72, 68 (-16)

3. Deon GERMISHUYS (RSA) 68, 68, 67, 68 (-13)

4. Jayden SCHAPER (RSA) 64 ,69, 73, 66 (-12)

T5. Jamie RUTHERFORD (ENG) 66, 71, 69 (-11)

T5.Gregorio DE LEO (ITA) 68, 71 ,66, 68 (-11)

PRIZE MONEY

1.Jacques USD 425000.00

2. PARRY USD 275000.00 (Sh 55 million)

3. GERMISHUYS USD 157500.00 (Sh 20 million)

Mutahi Kibugu follows his shot during the 2025 Magical Kenya Open (MKO) after teeing off at the Muthaiga Golf Club.

 By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Betika has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Kenyan sports by announcing a KES 8.4 million sponsorship for seven Kenyan golfers competing in the prestigious Magical Kenya Open (MKO), which teed off today at the par-71 Muthaiga Golf Club.

As part of the sponsorship, Betika Na Community is supporting four pro golfers and three elite amateurs at the event. The pros include Samuel Njoroge, Edwin Mudanyi, Erick Ooko, and Mutahi Kibugu while Michael Karanga, Adel Tawfiq, and John Lejirma make the list for the amateurs.

Each of the seven players is set to receive up to KES 1.2 million in endorsement fees, thanks to a performance-based bonus structure on top of the direct sponsorship for each player.

Betika Group CEO Mutua Mutava, speaking about the sponsorship, stated:

“We are committed to supporting local talent and providing Kenyan athletes with opportunities to compete globally. Golf in Kenya has tremendous potential, and we take pride in backing these talented players as they participate in this prestigious tournament.

Their dedication and hard work have earned them a place in this competition, and with the right support, they can make a significant impact internationally. Our commitment to investing in sports across various disciplines remains strong, ensuring that Kenyan sportsmen and women receive the opportunities they rightfully deserve.”

Erick Ooko in action during the 2025 Magical Kenya Open (MKO) after teeing off at the Muthaiga Golf Club.

One of the sponsored players, Michael Karanga, expressed his gratitude for the support:

“This sponsorship is a game-changer for us. Competing at the Magical Kenya Open is a huge opportunity as an elite amateur, and having this kind of support allows us to focus fully on our game. We are ready to give our best and make Kenya proud.”

This marks the second consecutive year that Betika is supporting Kenyan golfers at the Magical Kenya Open. Last year, Betika sponsored six pro golfers and six elite amateurs during the 2024 Magical Kenya Open.

The 2025 Magical Kenya Open, part of the DP World Tour, remains one of Africa’s most prestigious golf tournaments, drawing elite players from across the globe. This year’s edition features 144 professional golfers competing for a prize purse of $2.5 million (approx. KES 320 million).