Kenya Open

Last updated

Magical Kenya Open
Kenya Open logo.jpg
Tournament information
Location Nairobi, Kenya
Established1967
Course(s)Muthaiga Golf Club
Par71
Length7,228 yards (6,609 m)
Tour(s) European Tour
Challenge Tour
Safari Circuit
Format Stroke play
Prize fund US$2,500,000
Month playedFebruary
Tournament record score
Aggregate263 Justin Harding (2021)
To par−21 as above
Current champion
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Darius van Driel
Location Map
Kenya relief location map.jpg
Icona golf.svg
Muthaiga GC
Location in Kenya

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

Contents

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
2024 EUR Flag of the Netherlands.svg Darius van Driel 270−142 strokes Flag of England.svg Joe Dean
Flag of Spain.svg Nacho Elvira
Muthaiga [6]
2023 EUR Flag of Spain.svg Jorge Campillo 266−182 strokes Flag of Japan.svg Masahiro Kawamura Muthaiga [7]
2022 EUR Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Wu Ashun 268−164 strokes Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Aaron Cockerill
Flag of South Africa.svg Thriston Lawrence
Flag of Germany.svg Hurly Long
Muthaiga [8]
2021 EUR Flag of South Africa.svg Justin Harding 263−212 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Kurt Kitayama Karen [9]
2020 EUR Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic [10]
2019 EUR Flag of Italy.svg Guido Migliozzi 268−161 stroke Flag of Spain.svg Adri Arnaus
Flag of South Africa.svg Louis de Jager
Flag of South Africa.svg Justin Harding
Karen [11]
Barclays Kenya Open
2018 CHA Flag of Italy.svg Lorenzo Gagli 273−11Playoff Flag of Sweden.svg Jens Fahrbring Muthaiga [12]
2017 CHA Flag of England.svg Aaron Rai 267−173 strokes Flag of France.svg Adrien Saddier Muthaiga [13]
2016 CHA Flag of Sweden.svg Sebastian Söderberg 270−183 strokes Flag of France.svg Romain Langasque Karen [14]
2015 CHA Flag of South Africa.svg Haydn Porteous 271−17Playoff Flag of South Africa.svg Brandon Stone Karen [15]
2014 CHA Flag of South Africa.svg Jake Roos 278−101 stroke Flag of France.svg Adrien Bernadet
Flag of Denmark.svg Lasse Jensen
Flag of Spain.svg Pedro Oriol
Karen [16]
2013 CHA Flag of Spain.svg Jordi García Pinto 272−121 stroke Flag of the Netherlands.svg Tim Sluiter Karen [17]
2012 CHA Flag of England.svg Seve Benson 274−10Playoff Flag of Denmark.svg Lasse Jensen Muthaiga [18]
2011 CHA Flag of South Africa.svg Michiel Bothma 270−142 strokes Flag of South Africa.svg Tyrone Ferreira Muthaiga [19]
Kenya Open
2010 CHA Flag of England.svg Robert Dinwiddie 272−123 strokes Flag of Argentina.svg Julio Zapata Muthaiga [20]
Tusker Kenya Open
2009 CHA Flag of England.svg Gary Boyd 271−134 strokes Flag of England.svg Andrew Butterfield
Flag of England.svg Philip Golding
Muthaiga [21]
2008 CHA Flag of England.svg Iain Pyman 272−123 strokes Flag of Austria.svg Thomas Feyrsinger Karen [22]
2007 CHA Flag of Italy.svg Edoardo Molinari 274−61 stroke Flag of South Africa.svg James Kamte Karen [23]
2006 CHA Flag of Sweden.svg Johan Axgren 270−104 strokes Flag of England.svg James Hepworth
Flag of England.svg Gary Lockerbie
Karen [24]
2005 CHA Flag of Argentina.svg Daniel Vancsik 272−83 strokes Flag of South Africa.svg Michael Kirk Karen [25]
Kenya Open
2004 CHA Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Marc Cayeux 270−10Playoff Flag of Sweden.svg Leif Westerberg Karen [26]
2003: No tournament
Sameer Kenya Open
2002 CHA Flag of England.svg Lee S. James 265−193 strokes Flag of South Africa.svg Titch Moore Muthaiga [27]
Tusker Kenya Open
2001 CHA Flag of South Africa.svg Ashley Roestoff 271−13Playoff Flag of England.svg Andrew Sherborne Muthaiga [28]
2000 CHA Flag of South Africa.svg Trevor Immelman 270−144 strokes Flag of Sweden.svg Henrik Stenson Muthaiga [29]
1999 CHA Flag of the Netherlands.svg Maarten Lafeber 265−193 strokes Flag of Sweden.svg Erik Andersson Muthaiga [30]
1998 CHA Flag of Argentina.svg Ricardo González 272−12Playoff Flag of Kenya.svg Jacob Okello Muthaiga
Lonrho Kenya Open
1997 CHA Flag of Argentina.svg Jorge Berendt 268−164 strokes Flag of South Africa.svg Sammy Daniels Muthaiga
Kenya Open
1996 CHA Flag of Scotland.svg Mike Miller 272−12Playoff Flag of England.svg Phil Harrison
Flag of England.svg Robert Lee
Muthaiga
1995 CHA Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg James Lee 265−195 strokes Flag of Denmark.svg Thomas Bjørn
Flag of South Africa.svg Chris Williams
Muthaiga
1994 Flag of England.svg Paul Carman 276−8Playoff Flag of England.svg Glenn Ralph Muthaiga
1993 CHA Flag of Scotland.svg Craig Maltman 276−8Playoff Flag of England.svg Peter Harrison
Flag of Sweden.svg Daniel Westermark
Muthaiga [31]
Standard Chartered Kenya Open
1992 CHA Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg André Bossert 272−121 stroke Flag of Scotland.svg Craig Maltman Muthaiga [32]
1991 CHA Flag of England.svg Jeremy Robinson 269−155 strokes Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Paul Affleck
Flag of England.svg Philip Golding
Flag of Scotland.svg Sandy Stephen
Muthaiga
555 Kenya Open
1990SAF Flag of Ireland.svg Christy O'Connor Jnr 271−132 strokes Flag of England.svg Chris Platts Muthaiga [33]
1989SAF Ulster Banner.svg David Jones 271−133 strokes Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Mark Mouland Muthaiga [34]
1988SAF Flag of England.svg Chris Platts 271−131 stroke Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Mark Mouland Muthaiga [35]
1987SAF Flag of England.svg Carl Mason 275−9Playoff Flag of England.svg Gordon J. Brand
Flag of England.svg Roger Chapman
Flag of England.svg Martin Poxon
Muthaiga [36]
1986SAF Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Ian Woosnam 273−11Playoff Flag of Scotland.svg Bill Longmuir Muthaiga [37]
1985SAF Flag of Scotland.svg Garry Harvey 278−61 stroke Flag of England.svg Brian Waites Muthaiga [38]
1984SAF Flag of Spain.svg José María Cañizares 277−7Playoff Flag of England.svg David J. Russell Muthaiga [39]
Benson & Hedges Kenya Open
1983SAF Flag of Scotland.svg Ken Brown 274−101 stroke Flag of England.svg Jeff Hall Muthaiga [40]
1982SAF Flag of Ireland.svg Eamonn Darcy 274−101 stroke Flag of England.svg David Jagger Muthaiga [41]
1981SAF Flag of Scotland.svg Brian Barnes 274−101 stroke Flag of Scotland.svg Bernard Gallacher
Flag of Scotland.svg Sandy Lyle
Muthaiga [42]
1980SAF Flag of England.svg Brian Waites 271−131 stroke Flag of Scotland.svg Bill Longmuir Muthaiga [43] [44]
1979SAF Flag of England.svg Maurice Bembridge (3)271−13Playoff Flag of Scotland.svg Bernard Gallacher Muthaiga [45]
Kenya Open
1978SAF Flag of Spain.svg Seve Ballesteros 274−101 stroke Flag of Scotland.svg Bernard Gallacher Muthaiga [46]
1977SAF Flag of Ireland.svg Liam Higgins 283−11 stroke Flag of England.svg Gary Smith
Flag of England.svg Bob Wynn
Muthaiga [47]
1976: No tournament due to economic problems [1]
1975 Flag of England.svg Gary Smith 276−12Playoff Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jack Newton Muthaiga [48]
1974 Flag of England.svg David Jagger 274−141 stroke Flag of England.svg Malcolm Gregson Muthaiga [49]
1973 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jan Dorrestein (2)276−121 stroke Flag of England.svg David Jagger Muthaiga [50]
1972 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg David Llewellyn 279−92 strokes Flag of England.svg Peter Tupling Muthaiga [51]
1971 Flag of Ireland.svg Ernie Jones 283−5Playoff Flag of England.svg Russell Meek Muthaiga [52]
1970 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jan Dorrestein 273−1514 strokes Flag of England.svg Malcolm Gregson
Flag of Scotland.svg Ronnie Shade
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Tuohy
Muthaiga [53]
1969 Flag of England.svg Maurice Bembridge (2)279−95 strokes Flag of Scotland.svg Bernard Gallacher
Flag of Zambia (1964-1996).svg Simon Hobday (a)
Muthaiga [54]
1968 AGC [lower-alpha 2] Flag of England.svg Maurice Bembridge 289+12 strokes Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Terry Westbrook Karen [55]
1967 FEC [lower-alpha 2] Flag of England.svg Guy Wolstenholme 279−94 strokes Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Thomson Muthaiga [56] [57]

Notes

  1. AGC/FEC − Asia Golf Circuit/Far East Circuit. CHA − Challenge Tour; EUR − European Tour; SAF − Safari Circuit.
  2. 1 2 In 1967 and 1968 the event was sanctioned by the Asia Golf Circuit, however it was an unofficial money event; therefore the win is considered unofficial on that tour.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Charles (golfer)</span> New Zealand professional golfer

Sir Robert James Charles is a New Zealand professional golfer who won the 1963 Open Championship, the first left-handed player to win a major championship. He won the 1954 New Zealand Open as an 18-year-old amateur and made the cut in the same event in 2007, at the age of 71. His achievements over that period, in which he won 80 tournaments, rank him as one of the most successful New Zealand golfers of all time. He is, along with Michael Campbell, one of only two New Zealanders to win a men's major golf championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Jacklin</span> English professional golfer (born 1944)

Anthony Jacklin CBE is an English golfer. He was the most successful British player of his generation, winning two major championships, the 1969 Open Championship and the 1970 U.S. Open. He was also Ryder Cup captain from 1983 to 1989; Europe winning two and tying another of these four events.

The Nigerian Open was a golf tournament in Nigeria, played between 1969 and 1999. It was generally played at the Ikoyi Club in Ikoyi, Lagos. From 1997 to 1999 it was played at the IBB International Golf & Country Club in Abuja. It was an fixture on the Safari Circuit until 1993, and also a Challenge Tour event between 1990 and 1993.

Brian William Barnes was a professional golfer. He won nine times on the European Tour between 1972 and 1981 and twice won the Senior British Open.

Peter Arthur Oosterhuis is an English professional golfer and golf broadcaster. Oosterhuis played on the European circuit from 1969 to 1974, winning 10 tournaments and taking the Harry Vardon Trophy for heading the Order of Merit for four consecutive seasons from 1971 to 1974. From 1975 he played on the PGA Tour, winning the Canadian Open in 1981. He was twice runner-up in the Open Championship, in 1974 and 1982. Later he became a golf analyst on TV, initially in Europe and then in the United States. In 2015, Oosterhuis announced that he had Alzheimer's disease.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maurice Bembridge</span> English professional golfer

Maurice Bembridge is an English golfer. Early in his career he had some success on the British PGA, winning the 1969 News of the World Match Play and the 1971 Dunlop Masters. He would go on to win six times on the British PGA's successor circuit, the European Tour. He also had some success overseas, winning the New Zealand Golf Circuit's Caltex Tournament in 1970 and the Kenya Open three times. In addition, Bembridge broke Augusta National Golf Club's course record at the 1974 Masters Tournament with a 64. Late in his career, Bembridge had some success on the European Senior Tour, winning twice.

Brian George Charles Huggett, is a Welsh professional golfer. He won 16 events on the European circuit between 1962 and 1978, including two after the formal start of the European Tour in 1972. In 1968 he won the Harry Vardon Trophy for leading the Order of Merit and he was in third place in 1969, 1970 and 1972. He won 10 times on the European Seniors Tour between 1992 and 2000, including the 1998 Senior British Open.

Brian J. Waites is an English professional golfer. Although he turned professional in 1957, he played little top-level golf for the next 20 years, but then has considerable success, winning twice on the European Tour, five times on the Safari Circuit and playing in the 1983 Ryder Cup. After reaching 50 he had further success as a senior, winning the PGA Seniors Championship twice, and winning four times on the European Senior Tour.

Peter Joseph Butler was an English professional golfer. He was one of the leading British golfers of the 1960s and early 1970s. He won a number of important tournaments including the 1963 PGA Close Championship and the 1968 French Open. He played in four Ryder Cup matches between 1965 and 1973 and three times in the World Cup. He played in the Open Championship 23 times, with two top-10 finishes, and seven successive times in the Masters from 1964 to 1970.

Malcolm Edward Gregson was an English professional golfer. After a promising start to his career as an amateur and assistant professional, he had one exceptional year, 1967, when he won the Harry Vardon Trophy and played in the Ryder Cup, but had only limited success afterwards. After reaching 50 he played on the European Senior Tour, winning five times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian Open (golf)</span>

The Indian Open, titled for sponsorship reasons as the Hero Indian Open since 2011, is the national open golf championship of India, organised by the Indian Golf Union. Founded in 1964, it was added to the Asia Golf Circuit schedule in 1970. In 1998 it became an event on the rival Omega Tour. Since 2015, it has also been co-sanctioned by the European Tour.

The Zambia Open is a men's professional golf tournament played in Zambia, that has been part of the Sunshine Tour since 1996, and was co-sanctioned by the European-based Challenge Tour from 2001 to 2004. It was also an event on the Challenge Tour between 1991 and 1993, having previously part of the now defunct Safari Circuit.

The Zimbabwe Open is a professional golf tournament held in Zimbabwe, currently played on the Sunshine Tour.

Harry Bannerman is a Scottish professional golfer best known for playing in the 1971 Ryder Cup.

Lionel Platts was an English professional golfer. He finished 7th in the PGA Order of Merit in both 1964 and 1965. He played in the 1965 Ryder Cup.

The Cock of The North was a golf tournament held in Zambia. It was part of the Sunshine Tour in 2000 and 2001. The tournament was founded in 1954 and was held at the Ndola Golf Club in Ndola.

The Ivory Coast Open or Open de Côte d'Ivoire was a golf tournament in the Ivory Coast. It was founded in 1980, and was an event on the Safari Circuit the following year. It was an event on the European-based Challenge Tour schedule in 1990 and 1991, and from 1996 to 1999. It has been held at President Golf Club, Yamoussoukro and Ivoire Golf Club, Abidjan.

The Safari Circuit, or Safari Tour, was a small professional golf tour based in West and East Africa that ran from the 1970s through into the 1990s. From 1977, the tour was organised by the PGA European Tour and from 1991 the tournaments were included on the second-tier Challenge Tour schedule.

Thomas Craig Maltman is a Scottish professional golfer. He had some successes in Scottish events, winning the Scottish Assistants' Championship three times and winning the Tartan Tour Order of Merit in 1989 after winning the Sunderland Sportswear Masters and the Ram Classic that year. He played on the Safari Circuit, winning 1989 Zambia Open and the 1993 Kenya Open.

Leonard Peter Tupling is an English professional golfer. As an amateur he won the Boys Amateur Championship in 1967. In 1969, he was the leading amateur in the Open Championship and played in the Walker Cup. As a professional, he is best remembered for winning the 1981 Nigerian Open with a 72-hole score of 255, at the time a new world scoring record in professional golf.

References

  1. 1 2 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: Darius van Driel claims maiden title with two-shot victory at Magical Kenya Open". Sky Sports. 25 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  7. "DP World Tour: Jorge Campillo completes impressive two-shot victory at Magical Kenya Open". Sky Sports. 12 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  8. "DP World Tour: Ashun Wu cruises to victory at Magical Kenya Open after Ewen Ferguson blows lead". Sky Sports. 6 March 2022.
  9. "Flawless Harding takes title in Kenya". European Tour. 21 March 2021.
  10. "Kenya: Rescheduled Magical Kenya Open Now Cancelled". ESPN. Associated Press. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  11. "Migliozzi wins Kenya Open for first European Tour title". Golf Channel. Associated Press. 17 March 2019. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  12. "Gagli triumphs in Kenya epic". European Tour. 25 March 2018.
  13. "Tears and cheers as Rai wins in Kenya". European Tour. 26 March 2017.
  14. "Soderberg reigns supreme to become Kenyan king". European Tour. 20 March 2016.
  15. Bishumba, Richard (13 April 2015). "South African Porteous wins Kenya Open". The New Times. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  16. "Roos let loose to claim Kenyan title". European Tour. 9 March 2014.
  17. "Garcia Pinto claims Kenyan title". European Tour. 17 February 2013.
  18. "Benson wins play-off for Kenyan victory". European Tour. 1 April 2012.
  19. "Bothma crowned the king of Kenya". European Tour. 3 April 2011.
  20. "Hot putter paves the way for Dinwiddie's success". European Tour. 28 March 2010.
  21. "Gary is Boyd by Tusker Kenya Open success". European Tour. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  22. "Hot Pyman wins the Tusker Kenya Open". European Tour. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  23. "Molinari Stages Remarkable Recovery to win in Kenya". European Tour. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  24. "Axgren Moves to Number One with Victory at the Tusker Kenya Open". European Tour. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  25. "Vancsik Charges through to Tusker Kenya Open Title". European Tour. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  26. "Cayeux Continues his Comeback in Style at the Kenya Open". European Tour. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  27. "James bridges six year gap with victory in Kenya". European Tour. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  28. "Roestoff pips Sherborne in Kenya playoff". European Tour. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  29. "Immelman is king in Kenya". European Tour. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  30. "Lafeber secures maiden title in Nairobi". European Tour. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  31. "Craig Maltman". The Daily Telegraph . 8 February 1993. p. 39 via Newspapers.com.
  32. "Scotland's Craig Maltman". The Daily Telegraph . 27 January 1992. p. 37 via Newspapers.com.
  33. "Golf". The Glasgow Herald . 29 January 1990. p. 21.
  34. "Jones in his prime - after 20 years". The Glasgow Herald . 13 February 1989. p. 17.
  35. "Chris Platts". The Glasgow Herald . 15 February 1988. p. 12.
  36. "Carl Mason". The Glasgow Herald . 2 March 1987. p. 11.
  37. "Longmuir is pipped by Woosnam". The Glasgow Herald . 10 March 1986. p. 9.
  38. "Kenya victory regains Harvey his tour card". The Glasgow Herald . 11 March 1985. p. 19.
  39. "£3200 cost of Russell lapses". The Glasgow Herald . 12 March 1984. p. 21.
  40. "Surprise win for Brown". The Glasgow Herald . 14 March 1983. p. 18.
  41. "Ireland's Eamonn Darcy". The Glasgow Herald . 15 March 1982. p. 15.
  42. "Scots trio finish top in Kenya". The Glasgow Herald . 16 March 1981. p. 19.
  43. "Plaster puts out Lyle". The Guardian . 17 March 1980. p. 23.
  44. "Golf". The Guardian . 17 March 1980. p. 25.
  45. "Miss from three feet costs Bernie title". The Glasgow Herald . 19 March 1979. p. 20.
  46. "Gallacher loses by one shot". The Glasgow Herald . 11 March 1978. p. 31.
  47. "Torrance (78) crashes". The Glasgow Herald . 14 March 1977. p. 16.
  48. "Gary Smith". The Glasgow Herald . 3 March 1975. p. 16.
  49. "Jagger wins from Gregson". The Glasgow Herald . 5 March 1974. p. 4.
  50. "Dorrestein 12 under par". The Glasgow Herald . 12 March 1973. p. 4.
  51. "Shade third after a 7". The Glasgow Herald . 10 April 1972. p. 5.
  52. "Nairobi". The Times . 19 April 1971. p. 7.
  53. "Scotland's Ronnie Shade". The Evening Times . 6 April 1970. p. 13.
  54. "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.
  55. "Kenya Open". The Age . 23 April 1968. p. 24.
  56. "Wolstenholme wins golf". The Age . 25 April 1967. p. 24.
  57. "G. B. Wolstenholme". The Glasgow Herald . 24 April 1967. p. 6.

1°20′28″S36°42′55″E / 1.3412°S 36.7152°E / -1.3412; 36.7152