Only two Kenyan players closed the day with under par scores as this year’s Magical Kenya Open by Absa got underway at Muthaiga Golf Club, Nairobi Thursday.
Windsor Golf Hotel and Country’s Riz Charania fired two under par 69 before Nyali golf and country Club’s Daniel Nduva came in with one under par 70 on a day that saw England’s John Parry and France’s Benjamin Hebert tie at the top with impressive eight under par 63 scores.
The 38-year-old Parry got off with three birdies at the front before producing five birdies at the back while Hebert birdied the second and third holes, in addition to two more birdies at the sixth and ninth.
He embarked on the back nine with an eagle three at the par five-10th for a start, then rolled in pars all the way to 17th where birdied to go seven under.
He wound up the day with a birdie at the 18th for the day’s second 63. The two were just a shot better than South Africa’s Jayden Schaper on seven under par 64.
But back to the locals, Charania started with a level at the front nine where he birdied the fourth but dropped a shot at the par five seventh.
Riz Charania checks his line for a tee shot from 7th tee during Magical Kenya Open Golf on February 20, 2025 at Muthaiga Golf Club.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
However, three birdies at the back nine gave him 69, same with defending champion Darius van Driel, even with a bogey at the 14th.
Long-hitter Nduva on the other hand blamed his poor chipping for not finishing the day with a better score.
“The greens were not as fast as we had anticipated but that aside, I was not pretty happy with my chipping though I will try and get it going during the second,’’ said Nduva whose round was made up of five birdies and four bogeys.
Following the two , were Mutahi Kibugu and Greg Snow both Muthaiga players, on two over 73.
It was not a good start for youngster Njoroge Kibugu as birdies eluded him during the opening round. He only made one birdie in each round with five singles bogeys and a double on hole number eight, for a poor five over par 76.
Kenya’s Simon Njogu follows the flight of his ball after teeing off at Hole 10 during the Magical Kenya Open at Muthaiga Golf club on February 20, 2025.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
Kenya’s top amateur Michael Karanga picked up a double bogey seven at the par five-seventh hole, but still managed to bring home one over par 72.
Full of fight, he promised fire in the second round.
“The front nine actually messed me up, but I feel that I still have plenty to offer tomorrow’’ said Karanga who just missed the Sh8.2 million hole-in-one car at the 13th where he fired to about three inches to the hole.
Wednesday’s two Pro-Am events delivered an exhilarating day of golf, bringing together 192 golfers in a blend of professional and amateur talent.
The events, played in the Texas Scramble format, saw remarkable performances across both the morning and afternoon sessions.
France's Hebert Benjamin follows the progress of his tee shot from 9th tee during the Magical Kenya Open Golf on February 20, 2025 at Muthaiga Golf Club.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
In the morning session, the standout team was led by pro Ivan Cantero from Spain, who alongside amateurs Tom Gitogo, John Mwendwa, and Ken Monari, posted a brilliant -37 under par score to claim the top spot.
Close behind in second place was the team led by Frenchman Adrein Saddier, and amateurs Michael Muchemi, Evans Nyaga, and Tobby See, who finished on -36.
Rounding off the top three was the team of South African pro Casey Jarvis, Julius Mungai, Kimoi Moi, and Javier Menchen, who secured 35 under.
The afternoon session saw even lower scores, with the winning team of Connor Syme from Scotland, Central Bank of Kenya Governor Kamau Thugge, James Kamau, and Yusuf Omari delivered a sensational 40 under par score which was the lowest score of the day.
In second-place team, featuring Ashun Wu (the 2022 Magical Kenya Open winner) alongside Adan Mohamed, Louis Otieno, and Peter Mwaura, who fired 31 under par, while Andrea Pavan, KBL Managing Director Mark Ocitti, Brian Rwabogo, and Robert Ondhowe finished in third place with a 30 under par.
John Parry (Eng) 63
