Jay Sandhu returns to KAGC summit after NCBA Limuru Open triumph
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Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 21.07.26. | 14:16
Backed by NCBA, the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship continues to provide a structured pathway for elite amateur golfers through consistent competition
Muthaiga Golf Club's Jay Sandhu returned to the summit of the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Order of Merit after producing a superb final-round performance to win the 2026 NCBA Limuru Open & Brackenhurst Trophy at Limuru Country Club on Sunday.
Sandhu fired a three-under-par 69 in the final round to finish on a five-under-par total of 211, securing his third Kenya Amateur Golf Championship title of the season after earlier victories at the Windsor Classic and the Muthaiga Open.
His winning round featured five birdies on the 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 9th and 15th holes, with his only bogeys coming on the 1st and 11th, as he pulled clear of a strong international field to claim the title.
The victory earned Sandhu Ksh 130,000 from the tournament's Ksh 700,000 prize purse and saw him reclaim top spot in the KAGC Order of Merit with 940 points, overtaking Nakuru Golf Club's John Kamais, who dropped to second on 861 points.
Speaking after his victory, Sandhu said the triumph was especially satisfying given the quality of the field and the significance of the Kenya Swing.
"I'm delighted to win the NCBA Limuru Open. It was one of the strongest fields we've had this season, so I'm proud of the way I stayed patient and executed my game plan over the three rounds. Starting the Kenya Swing with a victory is a huge confidence boost, and returning to the top of the Order of Merit motivates me even more as we head into the next two championships."
Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club's Elvis Muigua finished second after carding rounds of 74, 72 and 72 for a two-over-par total of 218, while Golf Park Golf Club's Josphat Rono claimed third place on three-over-par 219 after rounds of 73, 74 and 72.
The NCBA Limuru Open & Brackenhurst Trophy marked the opening event of the 2026 Kenya Swing, a three-tournament stretch regarded as the most important phase of the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship season.
This year's championship attracted a strong field of 96 golfers from Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Burundi, Uganda, India, Ghana, China and Serbia, who competed for a share of the Ksh 700,000 prize purse, as well as valuable World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) and KAGC Order of Merit points.
Speaking during the prize-giving ceremony, Kenya Golf Union Vice Chairman Jonathan Marucha praised the high standard of competition and the continued growth of the amateur game.
"The NCBA Limuru Open has once again demonstrated the quality and depth of amateur golf in Kenya and the wider region. The level of competition this weekend was exceptional, and it is encouraging to see both experienced players and emerging talent competing at such a high standard. We appreciate NCBA's continued commitment to the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship, which continues to provide golfers with quality competitive opportunities and a pathway to higher levels of the game. As we head to the remaining Kenya Swing events, we expect the race for the Order of Merit to become even more competitive."
Attention now turns to the Kenya Amateur Stroke Play Championship, the second event of the Kenya Swing, which will be played at Royal Nairobi Golf Club from July 23 to 26.
The Swing will conclude with the Kenya Amateur Match Play Championship at Limuru Country Club from July 30 to August 2.
Backed by NCBA, the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship continues to provide a structured pathway for elite amateur golfers through consistent competition, World Amateur Golf Ranking opportunities, and a platform for players aspiring to join the professional ranks.
