Nduva believes it’s time for a Kenyan to shine at Magical Kenya Open

Daniel Nduva is promising to pull all the stops to come good in the 2024 Magical Kenya Open tournament which runs from Thursday, February 22 to Sunday, February 25, 2024, at the Par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club course.

The 28-year-old star based at Nyali Golf & Country Club is now an MKO veteran of sorts having participated in the last three editions albeit with little success. Now being sponsored by Johnie Walker for the duration of this four-day tournament, Nduva believes it is time for a Kenyan to go all the way.

“We have been here before but I believe as players who understand what is required, we know what to do. I always insist that without proper funding and a lack of enough tournaments are a huge hindrance to success. However, for me, I choose to stay positive and play my game without pressure or needless expectation. I want to do well, we need the locals to succeed but of course, the outsiders who have more experience and have played more tourneys have a headstart,” opined the 2023 Tanzania Open Champion.

The Coast-based player knows the importance of home-ground advantage but warns that it will not be business as usual when the cut is reached.

“Players who have come here are not here for holiday but work, ranking, and prize money. This means, from the word go, it is all about fighting to get into the cut so as to get the real benefits. It is achievable if for example I play my normal game and get well beyond par in every hole.

“Getting to the fairway from the tee will be great and also improving on the putting overall. There will be tricky holes but obviously, it is about ensuring one gets as many birdies as possible so as to finish on reasonable stead,” Nduva who turned professional in 2021 added.

The sponsorship deal could not have come at a better time for a player who last year was backed by Absa Kenya to the tune of Ksh300,000 during the tournament.

“A tournament of this calibre needs money for operations and movement including caddy fees, hospitality, and accommodation. So, I’m happy that I got assistance to help me with that bit. It makes one more settled and focused only in play.

“A lot of players struggle and some even do not make it through a year because the sport is extremely expensive if no sponsor is on board. I hope to repay with a good performance so that hopefully this arrangement can be prolonged if all goes to plan,” the player who has been involved in 25 events since becoming an active player, stated.

He is urging fans to turn up in large numbers and cheer the locals.

“Indeed, we know if we get support from our fans here at home, it will be a huge morale boost. We hope to see a good number of spectators cheering,” he said.