Njoroge Kibugu launched his 2025 season with a statement victory, carding a bogey-free final round of 5-under 67 to win the opening leg of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing at Thika Greens Golf Resort.

The 21-year-old Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club sensation wrapped up his dominant three-day display with a total score of 15-under par 201 (64, 70, 67), finishing five strokes clear of the chasing pack and walking away with a winner’s purse of Sh400,000.

Kibugu held his nerve in a tense finale delivering a steady front nine highlighted by a birdie at the par-5 4th. But it was on the back nine that he truly turned on the style, sinking four birdies on the 10th, 14th, 16th, and 17th to shut out the competition and secure a wire-to-wire triumph.

“It feels great to kick off the season with a win. It was definitely tough going into the back nine as Celestin was right on my heels. But I managed to hold strong and pull through. There were definitely a few nerves, especially when the putts weren’t dropping early on. I just kept reminding myself to stay patient. Eventually, they started falling, especially in the final five holes, and that really helped seal the round.”

Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera, who won the Qualifying School in March, finished second after a spirited final-round effort of 4-under 68. He ended the tournament at 10-under par 206 (73, 65, 68), pocketing Sh214,000.

Sigona Golf Club’s John Wangai (also the President of the Professional Golfers of Kenya) produced one of the rounds of the day with a 4-under 68 to settle for third at 8-under par 208 (73, 67, 68). His scorecard included four birdies in a row from holes 10 to 13 and a stunning birdie-birdie finish on the 17th and 18th.

“It’s been a solid week. I made a few swing changes at the end of last year, and I’m starting to see the results now. My iron play was strong throughout, and although I struggled a bit with putting early in the week, I managed to turn that around today.”

Royal Nairobi’s John Lejirma emerged as the top amateur, finishing at 5-under par 211 (71, 71, 69), while veteran Dismas Indiza of Kakamega Golf Club tied for fourth after a closing 3-under 69 brought his total to 4-under 212.

A three-way tie at 3-under 213 featured Daniel Nduva (Nyali), David Wakhu (Golf Park), and Edwin Mudanyi (Karen), while Jacob Okello (2-under), Michael Karanga (1-under), and Erick Obura (1-under) also completed the week in red figures.

Kenya Open Golf Limited Director Patrick Obath lauded the return of a professional circuit in the region.

“We have been lacking such a tour for a while. Discussions are already underway on how we can make this tour as a qualifier for the Kenya Open,” he said.

The tour now shifts to Ruiru Sports Club for its second leg, set for June 9-11, as regional pros and top amateurs jostle for Sunshine Tour points, Big Easy Tour opportunities and Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) recognition.