Kibugu Holds Nerve for Third Tour Win

NAIROBI – Rising Kenyan star Njoroge Kibugu of Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club clinched the Betika Masters title on Wednesday, 5 November 2025, after a dramatic final day at the Vet Lab Sports Club. The 21-year-old golfer carded a final-round three-under-par 69 to finish the 54-hole tournament at 10-under-par 206, securing a two-shot victory and the KSh 400,000 winner's prize.

The victory marks Kibugu’s third win in the inaugural season of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing, cementing his status as one of the region's most formidable players. The tournament, the seventh leg of the tour, is a critical platform for East African professionals to earn Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points and qualify for the prestigious 2026 Magical Kenya Open.

A Final Round Battle

Kibugu, who was born on 20 November 2003, started the final day tied for the lead with veteran Kenyan professional John Wangai at seven-under-par. After a shaky start that saw him drop shots on the 1st, 5th, and 6th holes, Kibugu demonstrated immense composure. He rallied with crucial birdies on the 8th and 9th before delivering a masterful performance on the back nine, rolling in four more birdies on holes 12, 13, 15, and 16 to seal his victory.

"At the start, I had a few unlucky breaks, but I tried to stay focused because I knew I was hitting the ball well," Kibugu stated after his win on Wednesday. "Going into hole 12, I knew we were two behind and needed to get two back. I birdied holes 12 and 13 and went into the last hole with a two-stroke lead, and all I needed was to make par."

Regional Contention and Local Significance

The Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) chairman, John Wangai of Sigona Golf Club, finished second with a tournament total of eight-under-par 208, earning him KSh 214,000. Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera, who briefly held the lead during the final round, finished third at seven-under-par 209, taking home KSh 144,700 and showcasing the growing competitiveness of regional golfers on the tour.

"This Tour has given us a platform to grow, gain experience, and measure ourselves against strong competition. Each event feels like a step forward," Nsanzuwera commented, according to reports from Tuesday's final round.

The Betika Masters, part of a two-tournament sponsorship by the gaming firm, featured a total prize purse of KSh 2 million. The event drew a field of 72 players from across Africa, all competing for the prize money and vital ranking points. The strong performance of local and regional players underscores the importance of the Sunshine Development Tour in elevating the standard of professional golf in East Africa, providing a direct pathway to internationally recognised events. The tour's next stop will be the Betika Masters at Limuru Country Club, scheduled from 9 to 11 November 2025.