Mutahi Kibugu: I'll be watching my birdie at the 18th for 50 years

Mutahi Kibugu insisted he will be re-watching his birdie putt at the 18th "for 50 years" after it guaranteed the home favourite made the cut at the 2023 Magical Kenya Open Presented by Absa.

The 22-year-old posted a second-round 71 to become the only Kenyan player to make it through to the weekend, emulating the feat achieved by his younger brother Njoroge at last year's event.

The highlight of Kibugu's round came at the last, where he drained a lengthy putt to close with a birdie and ensure his safe passage to the weekend.

That sparked wild celebrations from the huge crowds following the home hero at Muthaiga Golf Club, and he said the moment will live long in his memory.

"It feels amazing," said Kibugu. "Especially to hole that putt on the last, in front of my family, friends, everyone. I’m still excited.

"Now I’ve calmed down a bit. I had a bit of pressure on the last two holes, but I knew if I kept in my game I could probably get one birdie and I would be alright. 

"I saw the cut was projected to be minus one, so I knew I was fine. I wasn’t going to make a bogey on the last there.

"(The birdie on 18) was amazing. I’ll be watching that for 50 years. That’s what dreams are.

"It’s an amazing accomplishment by our family. That last putt, I remembered my small brother and I was sure he wanted me to drain that putt for the crowd.

"It’s an amazing accomplishment, a year on and another Kibugu is in the weekend at the Kenya Open. I feel good. I’m just going to continue having fun, enjoy the weekend and keep dreaming.

"There are hundreds of people I want to thank. Some of my coaches since I was younger were all here just watching, shouting my first name. It was amazing to do that in front of all of them and I’m happy to make them proud.

"If my brother can do it, so can I. I’m just going to keep doing my thing and we’ll see how the weekend goes."