This comes after the successful completion of the Johnnie Walker Classic this week at the Royal Nairobi, where home player John Lejirma shook off pro Njoroge Kibugu's stiff challenge to clinch his maiden title on the Tour, after coming close in Ruiru Sports Club, before losing yet another play-off against Dismas Indiza.
Lejirma, who came into the final round with a four-shot lead, saw that advantage erased as Kibugu mounted an impressive charge with a six-under-par 66 to force a playoff. Lejirma eventually sealed victory on the first sudden-death hole, finishing the tournament on 10-under-par.
As an amateur, Lejirma earned Sh130,000 and 210 Order of Merit points for his win, while Kibugu took home Sh214,000 and 172 points for his runner-up finish. Uganda’s Tadeo Rodell Gaita and Kenya’s Dismas Indiza tied for third on 3-under-par, each earning Sh123,000 and 99 points.
Tour Commissioner Charles Gacheru commended the steady growth and rising competitiveness of the Tour. “As we close this chapter here at Royal, our focus turns to the future. We head to Vet-Lab Sports Club next month, where we expect to welcome golfers from across the African region, as has become the norm with our Tour. This speaks to the incredible reception and support it has received across the continent.”
He added, “The Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing continues to grow. With every event and we’re seeing stronger fields, greater competition and deeper regional collaboration.”
Gacheru added that the tour has quickly evolved into a vital pathway for developing professional golf across Africa: “The Tour has become a true showcase of regional talent and potential. This Tour is more than just a calendar of tournaments - it’s a pathway for our golfers to earn Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points, to qualify for higher-level tours such as the Sunshine Tour.”
