After a one-week break, the DP World Tour resumes its International Swing in Africa with the Magical Kenya Open presented by absa. Here are your five things to know.
Back at a former home
This week sees the Magical Kenya Open presented by absa return to Karen Country Club for the first time in five years. Founded in 1937, it is one of the oldest golf clubs in Kenya and has shared hosting duties of this event with Muthaiga Golf Club.
First held in 1967, this year marks the 57th edition of a tournament that became part of the Safari Circuit from 1977 to 1990, before transitioning to the HotelPlanner Tour from 1991 to 2018 and more recently the DP World Tour in 2019. Having hosted in both 2019 and 2021, this is the third of seven DP World Tour editions to be held in Karen, a suburb of Nairobi. It is the 13th edition in the event's history to be held at Karen.
Since the Tour was last at Karen, the routing of the course has been switched to follow the way the members play it. The par has also changed from 71 to 70 as the 519-yard third - which played as the 12th five years ago - has been reduced from a par five to a par four.
The rest of the course has largely remained untouched, with the exception of yardage added to the first and tenth tees by extending them.
The venue also staged the Kenya Savannah Classic supported by Absa in 2021, a week after the Magical Kenya Open was held.
To help meet the demands of hosting 144 players, a new range has been constructed on part of the playing fields at St Mary’s School. After the tournament, the area will be maintained to provide a dedicated area for children to play sport on.
Kruyswijk defends as past champions assemble
Jacques Kruyswijk produced a brilliant bogey-free weekend to win his first DP World Tour title at last year's edition, held at Muthaiga Golf Club.
The South African held a one-shot lead heading into the final round but was overtaken early on after playing partner John Parry made back-to-back birdies on the fourth and fifth. Consecutive birdies of his own at the sixth and seventh saw Kruyswijk reclaim the lead, making further gains at the tenth and 16th on his way to securing a two-shot win.
"It's special," he said. "I'm a little bit lost for words but this is for my family back home, my friends, my team and this is for South Africa. I'm happy that I can keep the trophy on African soil and obviously bring it back to South Africa. It makes me very proud."
Of the six past champions since the event joined the DP World Tour, five are in the field this week. Guido Migliozzi and Justin Harding both have fond memories at Karen, having won the title in 2019 and 2021 respectively, with Jorge Campillo (2023) and Darius van Driel (2024) joining Kruyswijk as past winners in the field.
Inside the field
The theme for the tournament this year is 'Open to All' and that is highlighted in the wide range of nationalities represented in the field. From England to Australia, there are players from 29 different countries.
Of the 144 players who will tee it up this week, 47 have won on the DP World Tour. Among them, Freddy Schott makes his return to action following his maiden triumph at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship earlier this month.
Thriston Lawrence, Niklas Nørgaard, Rikuya Hoshino, Matteo Manassero and Antoine Rozner all held dual membership with the PGA TOUR last season and the quintet continue their Race to Dubai campaigns in Kenya.
While they will bring great international interest, there will be hope of home success stories too as the week progresses with 17 Kenyans - including five amateurs - set to tee it up.
Celestin Nsanzuwera of Rwanda will become the first golfer from his country to tee it up at the Magical Kenya Open, and just the third on the DP World Tour after qualifying via the Sunshine Development Tour.
The professionals in the field will be playing for a $2.7million prize fund, a record for the tournament and up from $2.5million last year.
The home hopes
Opportunity beckons for the local stars carrying the hopes of a nation for a first homegrown winner in the event's history.
The Kibugu brothers, Njoroge and Mutahi, have become stars in their homeland in recent years in part through the event, making the cut in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
They aren't the only brothers though, with CJ Wangai - the Chairman of the Professional Golfers of Kenya - and Samuel Njoroge also teeing it up.
Dismas Indiza is a veteran of Kenyan golf and the 57-year-old is set for a remarkable 27th appearance at the event.
Despite the strong Kenyan presence in the field, Edwin Mudanyi is the only player who calls Karen Country Club his home club. He along with David Wakhu were caddies prior to forging professional careers.
A magical week on and off the course
There is much that goes on during an event week on the DP World Tour and the Magical Kenya Open is no different, with the tournament’s presenting sponsor absa celebrating its 15th year of support this year.
Leveraging its platform to drive sustainability and social impact, the event is helping make a tangible difference in local communities - providing learning materials, environmental education and infrastructure support to local schools.
A focus on the next generation will be at the heart, with golf clinics targeted at junior golfers – featuring the involvement of DP World Tour members – taking place on Monday and Tuesday.
There will also be the return of the popular “Beat the Pro” challenge for the second year running. Junior golfers from Kenya will have the chance to test their skills at the par-three seventh during Saturday’s third round. Up to the final 20 groups will be broadcast live during the World Feed, with winners receiving an absa Junior Account worth 50,000 Kenya shillings.
Beyond the fairways, visits to the Technical University of Kenya and Boma International Hospitality College will also be made, engaging with tourism and hospitality students. Staff members at the DP World Tour will conduct talks too, highlighting the roles on offer within golf.
Sustainability is also a key focus, with measures implemented to reduce waste, promote recycling and encourage responsible resource use. Plastic bottles are banned on the course and instead water will be provided in reusable containers.
Beyond the fairways, a fan village full of entertainment, activities and offerings from small businesses will complement the on-course action. There will be something for all to enjoy.
