Indian-born Pranay Kapur, just 21 and only in his second tournament on Kenyan soil, stunned the field to clinch the Kabete Open title by two shots to overcome a tricky back nine and narrow fairways to walk away with Ksh108,600 and underline Africa’s rising golf standards.

The second-year student at Catawba College in the United States, studying Sports Management, told People Sports that the toughest part of the tournament was ensuring the ball landed on the fairway off the tee.

“Off the tee, you have to ensure you are on the fairway on this course. It’s a nice course, but tight and narrow. I had a couple of loose holes on the back nine, but I had to stick to positive thoughts to finish well. The quality of golf in Africa has heavily improved, and if I get an opportunity to come back and defend my title, I will give it my best, a hundred per cent.”

A tie for second place was settled dramatically after Adel Balala from Nyali Golf and Country Club sank an eagle at the 18th, sending the crowd into a frenzy and forcing a tie with Gilbert Chalwe from Zambia.

For their joint second-place finish, both Adel Balala and Gilbert Chalwe earned Ksh57,800 each, while the next closest challengers – Elvis Muigua and John Lejirma, who tied in fourth position with +5 – took home Ksh31,225 each.

Adel Balala told People Sports, “I started off poorly and wasn’t sharp inside a hundred yards, but I’m grateful my tee shots were superb, and I built on that momentum over the final two rounds. I’m looking forward to Sigona next weekend.”

Elvis Muigua noted, “My swing has really improved, and I’ll pick it up from there in the stroke play and match play next, after playing against some of the best players in Africa who gave me a good golf challenge. Kapur is a good player, and the Kabete Open has always been one of the best tournaments in the country.”

Isaac Makokha from Kenya Railway sealed sixth position, while Dennis Maara had a rough final round where he lost six shots to finish seventh with +8.

The outstanding player of the tournament was Kanana Muthomi, a sensational 12-year-old who punched her way to a tied 8th place with +10. Kanana was the sole lady in the top 10 positions, largely dominated by male amateur golfers.

The Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series now heads to Sigona Golf Club this coming weekend, where a large number of players from Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia, South Africa, USA, India, Burundi, Mauritius and Austria are expected to take part.