L. MathekaMutahi Kibugu makes DP Tour Europe debut
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 01.06.23. | 14:08
The Kibugu brothers have set their sights on becoming the first Kenyans to play in the prestigious Masters.
Kenya’s best golfer Mutahi Kibugu will from 1 June tee off against a world class field at this year’s Porsche European Open hosted at the Green Eagle Golf Courses, Hamburg, Germany.
The 22-year-old, the only Kenyan who made cut in this year’s Magical Kenya Open, also a DP World Tour event, is making his first professional start outside of Africa and his second ever golf event outside of Africa.
At 22, he is already the best golfer in Kenya. Love to see it! https://t.co/rstKwMW1xA
— Matheka (@Lynmatheka) June 1, 2023
“It is exciting. This is going to be a great experience. I have never been this far from home and this far as a professional.
I knew I would be competing here a month after the Kenya Open. I got the news while down in South Africa and it came as a surprise.
Playing in my first DP Tour outside Africa is exciting and I am hoping this is the start of many more in future. You never know; you can do well this week and the door just opens for more opportunities,” the youngster offered in an interview with DP World.
Kibugu, in his first Kenya Open as a professional was the darling of the crowd after playing an impressive two rounds to make cut, following in the footsteps of younger brother Njoroge Kibugu who in 2022 was the only Kenyan to get through to the weekend’s action.
At Muthaiga, Kibugu closed round four with a 73 for a gross total of 1 under par 283 with scores of 68, 71, 71 and 73.
The course covers a total of 86 hectares and has been designed to meet the needs of international professional tournaments from the beginning. With its 7,161 m of Champions Tee, it is the longest course on the European Tour and is one of the 10 longest courses in the world.
Asked what his brother, Njororge, whom they often engage in sibling rivalry on the course, thins about his feat of playing in his first event, in Europe, Mutahi said, “He is so jealous,” with a cheeky laughter of a loving big brother who has one-upped his junior. “He will get his chance (to play on such a platform) soon; his chance is coming. But for this week, he is jealous.”
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