Kenya Open
The Kenya Open, titled as the Magical Kenya Open for sponsorship reasons, is a professional golf tournament in Kenya founded in 1967.[1] In 2019, the Kenya Open became a European Tour event and was played in mid-March during the same week as the Players Championship on the PGA Tour.[2]
Tournament information | |
---|---|
Location | Nairobi, Kenya |
Established | 1967 |
Course(s) | Karen Country Club |
Par | 71 |
Length | 6,922 yards (6,329 m) |
Tour(s) | Safari Circuit (1977–1990) Challenge Tour (1991–1993, 1995–2018) European Tour (2019) |
Format | Stroke play |
Prize fund | €1,100,000 |
Month played | March |
Tournament record score | |
Aggregate | 265 James Lee (1995) 265 Maarten Lafeber (1999) 265 Lee S. James (2002) |
To par | −19 as above |
Current champion | |
Guido Migliozzi | |
Location Map | |
Karen Country Club Location in Kenya Karen Country Club Karen Country Club (Nairobi) |
The Kenya Open was an associate event on the Far East Circuit in 1967 and 1968,[3][4] 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.[5] 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.
The Kenya Open has always been held near Nairobi, at Muthaiga Golf Club (1967, 1969–2002, 2009–2012, 2017–2018) and at Karen Country Club (1968, 2004–2008, 2013–2016, 2019).
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 England's Maurice Bembridge, who recorded three victories between 1968 and 1979.
Winners
Year | Tour[lower-alpha 1] | Winner | Score | To par | Margin of victory | Runner(s)-up | Venue | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Magical Kenya Open | ||||||||
2020 | EUR | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | [6] | |||||
2019 | EUR | Guido Migliozzi | 268 | −16 | 1 stroke | Adri Arnaus Louis de Jager Justin Harding | Karen | [7] |
Barclays Kenya Open | ||||||||
2018 | CHA | Lorenzo Gagli | 273 | −11 | Playoff | Jens Fahrbring | Muthaiga | [8] |
2017 | CHA | Aaron Rai | 267 | −17 | 3 strokes | Adrien Saddier | Muthaiga | [9] |
2016 | CHA | Sebastian Söderberg | 270 | −18 | 3 strokes | Romain Langasque | Karen | [10] |
2015 | CHA | Haydn Porteous | 271 | −17 | Playoff | Brandon Stone | Karen | |
2014 | CHA | Jake Roos | 278 | −10 | 1 stroke | Adrien Bernadet Lasse Jensen Pedro Oriol | Karen | [11] |
2013 | CHA | Jordi García Pinto | 272 | −12 | 1 stroke | Tim Sluiter | Karen | [12] |
2012 | CHA | Seve Benson | 274 | −10 | Playoff | Lasse Jensen | Muthaiga | [13] |
2011 | CHA | Michiel Bothma | 270 | −14 | 2 strokes | Tyrone Ferreira | Muthaiga | [14] |
Kenya Open | ||||||||
2010 | CHA | Robert Dinwiddie | 272 | −12 | 3 strokes | Julio Zapata | Muthaiga | [15] |
Tusker Kenya Open | ||||||||
2009 | CHA | Gary Boyd | 271 | −13 | 4 strokes | Andrew Butterfield Philip Golding | Muthaiga | [16] |
2008 | CHA | Iain Pyman | 272 | −12 | 3 strokes | Thomas Feyrsinger | Karen | [17] |
2007 | CHA | Edoardo Molinari | 274 | −6 | 1 stroke | James Kamte | Karen | [18] |
2006 | CHA | Johan Axgren | 270 | −10 | 4 strokes | James Hepworth Gary Lockerbie | Karen | [19] |
2005 | CHA | Daniel Vancsik | 272 | −8 | 3 strokes | Michael Kirk | Karen | [20] |
Kenya Open | ||||||||
2004 | CHA | Marc Cayeux | 270 | −10 | Playoff | Leif Westerberg | Karen | [21] |
2003 | No tournament | |||||||
Sameer Kenya Open | ||||||||
2002 | CHA | Lee S. James | 265 | −19 | 3 strokes | Titch Moore | Muthaiga | [22] |
Tusker Kenya Open | ||||||||
2001 | CHA | Ashley Roestoff | 271 | −13 | Playoff | Andrew Sherborne | Muthaiga | [23] |
2000 | CHA | Trevor Immelman | 270 | −14 | 4 strokes | Henrik Stenson | Muthaiga | [24] |
1999 | CHA | Maarten Lafeber | 265 | −19 | 3 strokes | Erik Andersson | Muthaiga | [25] |
1998 | CHA | Ricardo González | 272 | −12 | Playoff | Jacob Okello | Muthaiga | |
Lonrho Kenya Open | ||||||||
1997 | CHA | Jorge Berendt | 268 | −16 | 4 strokes | Sammy Daniels | Muthaiga | |
Kenya Open | ||||||||
1996 | CHA | Mike Miller | 272 | −12 | Playoff | Phil Harrison Robert Lee | Muthaiga | |
1995 | CHA | James Lee | 265 | −19 | 5 strokes | Thomas Bjørn Chris Williams | Muthaiga | |
1994 | Paul Carman | 276 | −8 | Playoff | Glenn Ralph | Muthaiga | ||
1993 | CHA | Craig Maltman | 276 | −8 | Playoff | Peter Harrison Daniel Westermark | Muthaiga | |
Standard Chartered Kenya Open | ||||||||
1992 | CHA | André Bossert | 272 | −12 | 1 stroke | Craig Maltman | Muthaiga | |
1991 | CHA | Jeremy Robinson | 269 | −15 | 5 strokes | Paul Affleck Philip Golding Sandy Stephen | Muthaiga | |
555 Kenya Open | ||||||||
1990 | SAF | Christy O'Connor Jnr | 271 | −13 | 2 strokes | Chris Platts | Muthaiga | [26] |
1989 | SAF | David Jones | 271 | −13 | 3 strokes | Mark Mouland | Muthaiga | [27] |
1988 | SAF | Chris Platts | 271 | −13 | 1 stroke | Mark Mouland | Muthaiga | [28] |
1987 | SAF | Carl Mason | 275 | −9 | Playoff | Gordon J. Brand Roger Chapman Martin Poxon | Muthaiga | [29] |
1986 | SAF | Ian Woosnam | 273 | −11 | Playoff | Bill Longmuir | Muthaiga | [30] |
1985 | SAF | Garry Harvey | 278 | −6 | 1 stroke | Brian Waites | Muthaiga | [31] |
1984 | SAF | José María Cañizares | 277 | −7 | Playoff | David J. Russell | Muthaiga | [32] |
Benson & Hedges Kenya Open | ||||||||
1983 | SAF | Ken Brown | 274 | −10 | 1 stroke | Jeff Hall | Muthaiga | [33] |
1982 | SAF | Eamonn Darcy | 274 | −10 | 1 stroke | David Jagger | Muthaiga | [34] |
1981 | SAF | Brian Barnes | 274 | −10 | 1 stroke | Bernard Gallacher Sandy Lyle | Muthaiga | [35] |
1980 | SAF | Brian Waites | 271 | −13 | 1 stroke | Bill Longmuir | Muthaiga | [36][37] |
1979 | SAF | Maurice Bembridge (3) | 271 | −13 | Playoff | Bernard Gallacher | Muthaiga | [38] |
Kenya Open | ||||||||
1978 | SAF | Seve Ballesteros | 274 | −10 | 1 stroke | Bernard Gallacher | Muthaiga | [39] |
1977 | SAF | Liam Higgins | 283 | −1 | 1 stroke | Gary Smith Bob Wynn | Muthaiga | [40] |
1976 | No tournament due to economic problems | [1] | ||||||
1975 | Gary Smith | 276 | −12 | Playoff | Jack Newton | Muthaiga | [41] | |
1974 | David Jagger | 274 | −14 | 1 stroke | Malcolm Gregson | Muthaiga | [42] | |
1973 | Jan Dorrestein (2) | 276 | −12 | 1 stroke | David Jagger | Muthaiga | [43] | |
1972 | David Llewellyn | 279 | −9 | 2 strokes | Peter Tupling | Muthaiga | [44] | |
1971 | Ernie Jones | 283 | −5 | Playoff | Russell Meek | Muthaiga | [45] | |
1970 | Jan Dorrestein | 273 | −15 | 14 strokes | Malcolm Gregson Ronnie Shade Bob Tuohy | Muthaiga | [46] | |
1969 | Maurice Bembridge (2) | 279 | −9 | 5 strokes | Bernard Gallacher | Muthaiga | [47] | |
1968 | Maurice Bembridge | 289 | +1 | 2 strokes | Terry Westbrook | Karen | [48] | |
1967 | Guy Wolstenholme | 279 | −9 | 4 strokes | Peter Thomson | Muthaiga | [49][50] |
- CHA − Challenge Tour; EUR − European Tour; SAF − Safari Circuit.
References
- Quick, Tina; Quick, Jonathan; Burdick, Robert (1993). Rhinos in the Rough:A Golfers Guide to Kenya. Kenway Publications. ISBN 9966464662.
- "European Tour Announces Expansive Global Schedule for 2019". European Tour. 29 October 2018.
- "Seven events in F-E circuit". The Straits Times. Singapore. Reuter. 10 April 1967. p. 17. Retrieved 12 March 2020 – via National Library Board.
- 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.
- Walubita, Moses Sayela (1990). Zambia Sporting Score. Multimedia Publications. p. 166. ISBN 9982300393 – via Google Books.
- "Kenya: Rescheduled Magical Kenya Open Now Cancelled". ESPN. Associated Press. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- "Migliozzi wins Kenya Open for first European Tour title". Golf Channel. Associated Press. 17 March 2019. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- "Gagli triumphs in Kenya epic". European Tour. 25 March 2018.
- "Tears and cheers as Rai wins in Kenya". European Tour. 26 March 2017.
- "Soderberg reigns supreme to become Kenyan king". European Tour. 20 March 2016.
- "Roos let loose to claim Kenyan title". European Tour. 9 March 2014.
- "Garcia Pinto claims Kenyan title". European Tour. 17 February 2013.
- "Benson wins play-off for Kenyan victory". European Tour. 1 April 2012.
- "Bothma crowned the king of Kenya". European Tour. 3 April 2011.
- "Hot putter paves the way for Dinwiddie's success". European Tour. 28 March 2010.
- "Gary is Boyd by Tusker Kenya Open success". European Tour. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
- "Hot Pyman wins the Tusker Kenya Open". European Tour. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
- "Molinari Stages Remarkable Recovery to win in Kenya". European Tour. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
- "Axgren Moves to Number One with Victory at the Tusker Kenya Open". European Tour. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
- "Vancsik Charges through to Tusker Kenya Open Title". European Tour. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
- "Cayeux Continues his Comeback in Style at the Kenya Open". European Tour. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
- "James bridges six year gap with victory in Kenya". European Tour. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
- "Roestoff pips Sherborne in Kenya playoff". European Tour. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
- "Immelman is king in Kenya". European Tour. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
- "Lafeber secures maiden title in Nairobi". European Tour. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
- "Golf". The Glasgow Herald. 29 January 1990. p. 21.
- "Jones in his prime - after 20 years". The Glasgow Herald. 13 February 1989. p. 17.
- "Chris Platts". The Glasgow Herald. 15 February 1988. p. 12.
- "Carl Mason". The Glasgow Herald. 2 March 1987. p. 11.
- "Longmuir is pipped by Woosnam". The Glasgow Herald. 10 March 1986. p. 9.
- "Kenya victory regains Harvey his tour card". The Glasgow Herald. 11 March 1985. p. 19.
- "£3200 cost of Russell lapses". The Glasgow Herald. 12 March 1984. p. 21.
- "Surprise win for Brown". The Glasgow Herald. 14 March 1983. p. 18.
- "Ireland's Eamonn Darcy". The Glasgow Herald. 15 March 1982. p. 15.
- "Scots trio finish top in Kenya". The Glasgow Herald. 16 March 1981. p. 19.
- "Plaster puts out Lyle". The Guardian. 17 March 1980. p. 23.
- "Golf". The Guardian. 17 March 1980. p. 25.
- "Miss from three feet costs Bernie title". The Glasgow Herald. 19 March 1979. p. 20.
- "Gallacher loses by one shot". The Glasgow Herald. 11 March 1978. p. 31.
- "Torrance (78) crashes". The Glasgow Herald. 14 March 1977. p. 16.
- "Gary Smith". The Glasgow Herald. 3 March 1975. p. 16.
- "Jagger wins from Gregson". The Glasgow Herald. 5 March 1974. p. 4.
- "Dorrestein 12 under par". The Glasgow Herald. 12 March 1973. p. 4.
- "Shade third after a 7". The Glasgow Herald. 10 April 1972. p. 5.
- "Nairobi". The Times. 19 April 1971. p. 7.
- "Scotland's Ronnie Shade". The Evening Times. 6 April 1970. p. 13.
- "Gallacher second to Bembridge". The Glasgow Herald. 14 April 1968. p. 5.
- "Kenya Open". The Age. 23 April 1968. p. 24.
- "Wolstenholme wins golf". The Age. 25 April 1967. p. 24.
- "G. B. Wolstenholme". The Glasgow Herald. 24 April 1967. p. 6.
External links
- Coverage on the European Tour's official site
- Coverage on the Challenge Tour's official site
- Kenya Golf Union home page at the Wayback Machine (archived 24 November 2009)