L. MathekaMKO: Mutahi recommends exposure for Kenyan golfers to improve performance on world stage
Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 13.03.23. | 19:33
He was the only Kenyan to make cut at the 54th edition of the European Tour event played at Muthaiga Golf Club.
After four rounds of golf at the Magical Kenya Open (MKO), Kenya’s youngest professional golfer on the field Mutahi Kibugu managed a 65th place finish on one under par.
The 22-year-old was the sole local to make cut and play thorough the weekend from a field of nine professionals and six amateurs that had gotten the opportunity to play in the European Tour leg.
This was no different from last year where Mutahi's younger brother Njoroge Kibugu, was the only Kenyan to make cut, despite being an amateur.
Mutahi, however, believes Kenyan golfers' performance is pegged on exposure and opportunities.
"We had good and talented pros and amateurs for the MKO. I just feel that they do not have enough events to prepare for the European Tour event.
They lack the competition to help them strengthen their game and learn. If we could get support on the local tour and have more events, we would have more than just one of us playing through the weekend," the youngster offered when asked for a comment about Kenya's performance at the four-day event.
Whatever happens to 🇰🇪 golfers at the @KenyaOpenGolf is a mystery. Ango once told me it's the crowd since they are used to playing on empty, extremely quiet courses on the Safari Tour and beyond (thoughts ?) Yet another Kibugu saves us from missing entirely on the last two days! https://t.co/XNMyT4Gh7x
— Matheka (@Lynmatheka) March 10, 2023
After his brilliant debut (as a pro) on the MKO, Mutahi is looking to build on that momentum going forward.
"I am looking for some events to play to keep my rhythm going. I am swinging well and I will be looking for some action in South Africa to keep this momentum and work on my game more," he offered.
He admits that playing in the Open for the four days had been a surreal experience, one that he hopes to get another opportunity to repeat.
"I started the week really, excited to play. I was hitting well in the pro Am and in the first round I thought I would get a good score and just progressed with a three under par. That got my week off to a good start.
After that I kept my head together and took all the positives. It was an exciting week that will live in my mind for a long time.
This feels surreal and it has lived up to expectations. I have never seen such a huge crowd in support of my game and I thank them," he concluded.
