In a thrilling match, Kenya’s top amateur golfer, John Lejirmah, outplayed Njoroge Kibugu in a sudden death playoff yesterday, claiming the Johnnie Walker Classic title at the par-72 Royal Nairobi Club.
The event served as the sixth leg of the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing and had a prize pool of Sh2 million, 400,000 of which would go to the winner. Lejirmah took home 130,000 Kenyan shillings, the prize for an amateur golfer, plus world ranking points.
Lejirmah started the final round four shots ahead of Kibugu of the Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club. He got off to a good start, picking up a birdie at the first hole. He moved to 11 under par after rolling in two back-to-back birdies. However, Lejirmah dropped a shot at the 11th hole, finishing with a two-under-par 70 for the day and a three-round total of 10-under-par 213.
An emotional Lejirmah reflected on his victory, saying: “It’s been a long journey. The first leg slipped away from me, and in another event, I narrowly lost in a playoff.”
He went on to say: “I didn’t throw in the towel. I went back to the drawing board, did what needed to be done, and here I am.”
“Coming into this week, I knew I had an advantage playing at home. I kept telling myself I needed to stay patient, focused, and finish strong. I’m so glad it paid off. Honestly, the pressure was there. I kept reminding myself that this was my moment.”
He said he received a lot of support from his Royal Club teammates, which gave him extra motivation but also added a bit of pressure. I stayed calm, trusted my game, and kept telling myself, “Lej, you need this, and you have to go for it.”
Meanwhile, his playing partner Kibugu, who started the final round four under par, appeared headed for victory as he rolled in two birdies on the front nine, against a bogey on the sixth hole.
However, it was on the back nine that Kibugu picked up five birdies for an impressive six under 66, catching up with the leader, Lejirmah, and forcing a playoff.
Windsor Golf and Country Club's Njoroge Kibugu during Sunshine Development Tour at Royal Nairobi Golf Club on October 15, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo| Nation Media Group
Kibugu, who spoke after the event, said: “It was a really strong round. I stayed patient, trusted my swing, and created good opportunities throughout. Pushing it to a playoff felt great. Although it didn’t go my way, I’m proud of how I played and how I finished the tournament.”
On the par-four 18th hole during the playoffs, Kibugu’s tee shot went awry, landing to the left of the fairway. He chipped out for two and fired onto the green in three. Meanwhile, Lejirmah hit his second shot off the green but chipped on for a par. Kibugu picked up a double bogey and surrendered the title to Lejirmah, the Royal player.
Despite losing the playoff, Kibugu took home Sh214,000. Tying for third place at three under par (213) were senior professional Dismas Indiza and Uganda’s Rodell Tadeo Gaita. The two earned Sh123,500 each. The next event, the seventh leg, will take place at the Vet Lab Sports Club course from November 2 to 4.
