KAGC champion John Lejirma sets lofty target for 2026 Kenya Open
.jpg)
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 24.12.25. | 16:02
Away from the national championship he led Team Kenya to a fourth title at the All-Africa Region IV Championship
John Lejirma, the reigning Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Series champion, has set his eyes on making the cut in next year's Magical Kenya Open.
The champion produced one of the most dominant and consistent seasons in recent Kenyan amateur golf history to reclaim the title, a remarkable performance that earned him qualification for the 2026 Open, the country’s premier professional golf event on the DP World Tour.
From January to December, the Kenyan star featured in 20 tournaments, winning nine events and consistently placing near the top in virtually every major championship on the circuit, topping the KAGC standings with 2,130 points.
He set the tone early with podium finishes at the 66th NCBA Sigona Bowl in January, before claiming his first victory of the year at the 2025 NCBA Windsor Classic.
He followed this with a third-place finish at the NCBA Muthaiga Open, victory at the NCBA Kisii Open (Shabana Trophy), and a runner-up finish at the NCBA Kiambu Open.
From May to July, Lejirma hit another peak, securing five back-to-back victories at the NCBA Ronald Marshal & Toby Gibson Match Play, NCBA Coronation Cup 2025, NCBA Ruiru Open 2025, NCBA Gold Fields Trophy, and NCBA Limuru Open 2025 (Uhuru Shield).
“It has been a good, long year full of lessons, not just for me but for everyone who walked this journey with me,” Lejirma reflected, speaking to golfscore.
"I am looking forward to the Magical Kenya Open. I will keep it simple and trust my swing. We are not here just to make the cut—we are going for the trophy."
Lejirma also delivered strong performances in flagship championships, including a third-place finish at the 104th Kenya Amateur Match Play Championship and a top-five (T5) finish at the 48th Kenya Amateur Stroke Play Championship.
He closed the year with more silverware and solid showings, including victories at the NCBA Nyanza Open (Hippo Pot) and the NCBA Uhuru Shield, before ending the season as runner-up at the NCBA Nyali Open, the final counting event.
.jpg)
