By THE INDEPENDENT UG
*⃣ Magical Kenya 
Open at Muthaiga
Select results
Driel 
66 69 68 67 270 (-14)
Dean Joe 
68 69 68 67 272 (-12)
Rugumayo 
72 70 71 73 286 (+2)
Missed cut
N Kibugu 
M Kibugu
Kamulindwa 7
Nairobi, Kenya | THE INDEPENDENT | Dutchman Darius Van Driel has been crowned the 2024 DP World Tour Magical Kenya Open champion following an impressive performance at Muthaiga Golf Club, finishing with a 14 under par 270.
Van Driel, 34, secured his victory with a final round score of 67, securing a two-shot lead and earning his first career win on the DP World Tour in the Kenya Open.
For his outstanding performance in his 112th DP World Tour appearance, Van Driel claimed a prize of $425,000 (Ush1.6 billion), overcoming a formidable field in the tournament.
Ronald Rugumayo proudly represented Uganda and East Africa at the DP World Tour Magical Kenya Open, making history as the first Ugandan to make the cut in the tournament.
Despite finishing 71st on the final day at the Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi, the 31-year-old from Kabarole, Western Uganda, expressed his pride in the achievement. Rugumayo is set to receive about 1% of the winner’s prize money.
In reflecting on this milestone, Rugumayo shared, “Each and everything I’m doing right now, I’m doing for my country. My dream has always been to inspire upcoming golfers. I’d feel really great if in the next few years, I see more Ugandans and East Africans playing in big tours and doing even better than I’m doing.”
Ranked 2,901st in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), Rugumayo has previously participated in South Africa’s Sunshine Tour. Although this marks his third appearance in the Magical Kenya Open as a professional, he also took part in the 2017 edition of the tournament as an amateur.
Ronald Rugumayo is in Kenya as part of a team of 10 golfers sponsored to participate in the tournament by Absa Bank Uganda. Additionally, nine amateurs who excelled in the Absa-sponsored Pro-Am tournament of the 2023 Uganda Golf Open are part of the sponsored contingent.
Mumba Kalifungwa, Absa Bank Uganda’s Managing Director, who accompanied the team to Nairobi, emphasized the significance of this achievement for Ugandan golf. He stated, “This is a significant milestone and a huge leap forward for Ugandan golf. As Absa Bank Uganda, we are honored to have played a role in helping to turn this dream into reality because we believe that every story matters as part of our commitment to empowering Africa’s tomorrow together one story at a time.” Absa Bank Uganda’s sponsorship has contributed to the realization of this historic moment for Ugandan golf, showcasing their commitment to supporting and empowering athletes in the region.
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