Sunshine Development Tour heads to VetLab after thrilling Johnnie Walker Classic finale
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Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 16.10.25. | 17:18
Lejirma began the final round with a four-shot lead, but Kibugu mounted a fierce comeback with a stunning six-under-par 66
The Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing now moves to VetLab Sports Club from Monday, 3 to Wednesday, 5 November, where top golfers from across the continent will battle for a Ksh2 million prize purse and valuable world ranking points.
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This follows an electrifying finish at the Johnnie Walker Classic held this week at Royal Nairobi Golf Club, where home favourite John Lejirma claimed his maiden Tour title after a tense playoff victory over professional Njoroge Kibugu.
The win marked redemption for Lejirma, who had previously lost another playoff to Dismas Indiza at Ruiru Sports Club.
Lejirma began the final round with a four-shot lead, but Kibugu mounted a fierce comeback with a stunning six-under-par 66, forcing a sudden-death playoff. The amateur kept his composure to seal victory on the first extra hole, finishing the tournament on 10-under-par.
As an amateur, Lejirma earned Ksh130,000 and 210 Order of Merit points, while Kibugu pocketed Ksh214,000 and 172 points as runner-up. Uganda’s Tadeo Rodell Gaita and Kenya’s Indiza tied for third on 3-under-par, each taking home Ksh123,000 and 99 points.
Tour Commissioner Charles Gacheru hailed the Tour’s rapid growth and competitiveness after the Royal event:
“As we close this chapter here at Royal, our focus turns to the future. We head to VetLab Sports Club next month, from 3rd to 5th November 2025, 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. The Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing continues to grow.
With every event, we are seeing stronger fields, greater competitiveness, and deeper regional collaboration.”
Gacheru emphasised that the Tour is fast becoming a key stepping stone for African golf talent:
“The Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing has become a true showcase of regional talent and potential.
This Tour is more than just a calendar of tournaments. It is a pathway for our golfers to earn OWGR and WAGR points, qualify for higher-level tours such as the Sunshine Tour, and ultimately compete on the global stage, including the Olympic Games.
Our mission remains clear: to develop, expose, and empower African golf talent, and to ensure that the next generation of golfers from East Africa can compete confidently anywhere in the world.”
The Johnnie Walker Classic was sponsored by East African Breweries (EABL) through its Johnnie Walker brand, reaffirming the brand’s longstanding commitment to golf in the region.
Johnnie Walker Senior Shopper Manager, Duncan Onuonga, lauded the Tour’s growing impact:
“The Johnnie Walker Classic has once again demonstrated how the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing is transforming golf in our region, providing a professional platform that connects talent across borders, develops new champions, and shines a global spotlight on East African golf.
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At Johnnie Walker, our commitment to golf runs deep. From supporting the DP World Tour’s Magical Kenya Open and the Magical Kenya Ladies Open to our own Johnnie Walker Golf Series, we are proud to walk alongside the game at every level.
This partnership with the Sunshine Development Tour builds on that legacy. It is about investing in progress, giving African golfers a platform to earn world ranking points, gain international exposure, and one day compete on the biggest stages, including the Sunshine Tour, the DP World Tour, and even the Olympic Games.”
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