Premium
Top amateur golfer John Lejirmah takes charge at Royal
John Lejirma during the Sunshine Development Tour on October 14, 2025 at Royal Nairobi Golf Club.
Kenya’s leading amateur golfer, John Lejirmah, made it clear that he intends to win the Johnnie Walker Classic after shooting a six-under-par 66 in the second round of the three-round tournament at the par-72 Royal Nairobi Golf Club on Tuesday.
The Johnnie Walker Classic is the sixth leg of the Sunshine Development Tour — East Africa Swing.
Fresh off his victory on Sunday in the Nyanza Open, a Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series event, Lejirmah took full advantage of his home course to score a total of five birdies and an eagle three at the par-five 15th hole.
His two-round total was eight under par, 136. He hinted at how the day would go after picking up two back-to-back birdies on the second and third holes. He picked up another birdie at the seventh hole before crossing to the back nine, where he birdied the 11th hole, eagled the 15th hole, and birdied the 16th hole.
At the 18th hole, he missed the green twice, though he chipped well to within three feet. However, he narrowly missed a par, picking up his only bogey of the day.
Speaking after his round, Lejirma said: “I am grateful for today’s round. It was solid—I had hoped for a bogey-free round, but unfortunately, I got a bogey on hole 18.”
Njoroge Kibugu checks his line before putting at the 18th hole green during Sunshine Development Tour at Royal Nairobi Golf Club on October 14, 2025.
He added that he started well and that he’s regained his putting stroke strength, which proved advantageous today. “There’s always pressure heading into the final round when everyone expects you to deliver, but this is golf, and anything can happen. Tomorrow, I’ll stick to my game plan and hopefully lift the trophy.”
He ended the day four shots ahead of Noroge Kibugu of Windsor, who carded his second consecutive two-under-par 70 for a two-round total of four-under-par 140. Kibugu, who won the Tanzania Open at Kili Golf Resort in Arusha, Tanzania, two weeks ago, started the day poorly with a bogey on the downhill par-four first hole but managed to pick up three back-to-back birdies from the seventh to the ninth.
On the back nine, Kibugu held on with pars up to the par-five 15th, where he made a birdie. However, like Lejirmah, he dropped a shot on the 18th hole.
The top five players finished under par during the second round. They included Rizwan Charania of Windsor, who shot one under par (71), a round that included five birdies but also a double bogey at the par-three eighth and single bogeys at the 16th and 18th holes, translating to a total of three under par (141).
Rizwan Charania reacts after his putt at the 18th hole Green during Sunshine Development Tour at Royal Nairobi Golf Club on October 14, 2025.
Charania said: “I started off with three birdies—a dream start for me this morning. I was hitting the ball very well, just as I did yesterday, and I’m happy with the consistency in my game. I dropped a couple of shots and made a few mistakes, but that’s part of the game. I look forward to tomorrow.”
He added, “In the last two events, I barely made the cut. So, being in contention now is really special. Tomorrow, I’ll go in with the same positive attitude, hoping for the best.”
Behind Charania were Dismas Indiza and Golf Park’s Erick Ooko, who were both one under par at 143 after posting 72 and 71, respectively.
Uganda’s Grace Kasango and Zimbabwean Visitor Mapwanya were at par with a score of 144.
Thirty players made the seven-over-par cut and will compete for the top cash prize of 400,000 shillings plus World Ranking points..
