Wakhu, Njoroge awarded for European Tour exploits

Kenyan professional golfers, Golf Park’s David Wakhu and Samuel Njoroge of Railways golf club have been awarded by Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) for their exploits at the just concluded European Tour's double header at the Karen Country Club. 

Wakhu carded rounds of 66 and 68 on the opening two rounds of the Kenya Savannah Classic, for an impressive total of 8-under par 134 to make cut which was set at 4-under par. 

He carded a three over par 74 in the third round to drop to five under par but recovered to pick one bogey and three birdies in the final round played on Friday, 26 March for a total round score of seven under par 277 for a tied 57th from a field of 73 that had made cut. 

The 37-year old made history for having posted the lowest-ever score by a Kenyan at a European Tour event in Kenya. For his exploits he won €3,510.45 (approximately KES 454,000) in prize money from the European Tour. 

Njoroge, on his part, carded rounds of 72 and 68 on the first two days of the Magical Kenya Open for a total of 2-under par 140 to secure a place in the final two rounds. The cut for the event had been set at 2-under par. 

He ended his 2021 Magical Kenya Open campaign with a level-par 284 score, taking home €2,257 (approximately KES 293,000) in prize money. This was his first time to make a cut at a European Tour event, and his debut outing at the Kenya Open as a pro. 

KBL kept their promise of a Shs 100,000 cash reward for any Kenyan player who made the cut at both events. This was in addition to the support the organization has given to the Kenyan players to cater for their accommodation needs while they were at the tournaments' health and safety bubble. 

"I would like to thank KBL for supporting all the pros. Without their sponsorship, I do not think we would have managed to cater to the demands of this event as it was too expensive for us. We are just glad that they bailed us out, and request that they continue with the same spirit," said Wakhu.

On his part, Njoroge said, "I want to thank Johnnie Walker for standing with us for coming in and helping us financially across these two events. We urge them to do support us next year, but importantly, to continue supporting golf in Kenya."

Speaking at the Karen Country Club, KBL Senior Brand Manager, Reserve, Catherine Maribei said: "At the beginning of both the Magical Kenya Open and the Kenya Savannah Classic, Johnnie Walker had made a commitment to rewarding any of the Kenyan players who made the cut with an extra KES 100,000 and that is what we are looking at doing today with both Samuel Njoroge and David Wakhu."