Mutahi Kibugu finally on top of Sunshine Development Tour as final day beckons

Kenyan golfer Mutahi Kibugu got into the lead of the Sunshine Development Tour for the first time in his career after rounding off an impressive day at the ninth leg of the East Africa Swing at Thika Greens Golf Resort onThursday, 15 January.

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Mutahi, 25, played identical rounds of three under par 65 to move to the joint top of the Absa Invitational leaderboard, joining Uganda’s Willy Dues.

The Kenyan dropped shots on the third and 11th holes, then birdied the fourth, 14th, and 17th and played an eagle on the 18th to match Dues’ score of three under par for the day, setting up an exciting flight for the final round.

Dues, who was on Wednesday in a three-way tie for second place at three under par, birdied holes 3, 4, 6, 10, 13, and 16 but dropped two shots on the second hole and bogeyed the last two.

Speaking after a monumental day on the tour, Mutahi said, “It was a nice outing, although the flags were really tucked, and the wind was pumping today.

However, I am happy to have played another 3 today. This is my first time being in the lead in this tour, and it feels nice to be back here. I do not feel the pressure. I have been hitting good shots off the tee, and I will continue to capitalize on my swing tomorrow, and I hope I can keep my score low.”

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Reflecting on what a win would mean for him, he added, “I have worked very hard, but it did not show last year during the earlier tournaments in the tour, but it is starting to show now. A win here will be a big boost for my confidence and will show my team that I am on the right path.”

Among the 30 players who also cut for the final day was Mutahi’s younger brother, Njoroge, who finished in a three-way tie for third with a four-under-par 138.

Njoroge, who sits alongside Zimbabwe’s Victor Mapwanya and Kenya’s David Wakhu, rallied to three under par 68 to move to within touching distance.

This year’s tour is offering a total prize purse of Ksh2 million, alongside Official World Golf Ranking points, World Amateur Golf Ranking points, and valuable Sunshine Development Tour Order of Merit points, which are all crucial in the race for Sunshine Tour promotion and also count towards qualification for the 2026 Magical Kenya Open.

The Thika Greens Golf Resort leg of the Absa Invitational Series will culminate on Friday, 16 January, before paving the way for the Karen Country Club event next week.

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