- Kenya’s Njoroge Kibugu has called on fans to show up in large numbers this weekend after emerging as the only Kenyan to make the cut at the ongoing Magical Kenya Open 2026.
- The 22-year-old birdied the seventh to build a strong cushion inside the projected four-under cut line on Friday, February 20, at Karen Country Club.
- He later sealed his place in style with a sensational eagle.
Kenya’s sensational golfer Njoroge Kibugu has rallied Kenyans to turn out in large numbers this weekend after making the cut as the only Kenyan representative remaining at the ongoing Magical Kenya Open 2026.
At the par-70 Karen Country Club in Nairobi, Kibugu delivered an impressive opening round on Thursday, firing a four-under-par 66 to comfortably position himself for the second round.
The 22-year-old needed to maintain that momentum on Friday, a day that proved to be an emotional rollercoaster. After birdieing the seventh, he moved to five under par and sat safely inside the cut line.
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However, bogeys at the 12th and 14th made for a nervy finish, as he slipped to one shot outside the projected cut of four under.
It was not just Kibugu feeling the tension – the massive crowd that had gathered to support him was equally on edge.
But a composed two-putt on the 16th, followed by another solid two-putt on the 17th -where his long birdie attempt stopped just short, left Kibugu needing a birdie on the par-five 18th to secure his place for the weekend.
A powerful drive that landed just off the left edge of the fairway set up a stunning approach shot to within four feet, setting the stage for an eagle that sealed his spot in style.
Kibugu rallies Kenyans after making the cut at the Magical Kenya Open 2026
The moment sparked jubilation among fans and spared the hosts an early exit, as Kibugu became the first Kenyan to qualify for the money bracket weekend since his brother, Mutahi Kibugu, achieved the feat in 2023, ending a two-year drought.
“The last person to make the cut was my brother, and I also did it as an amateur. I have done it as a pro. I have been playing some solid golf coming into this and I have picked up a couple of wins,” Kibugu said after his impressive achievement.
He also noted that while he may not be in title contention just yet, he believes he deserves to be competing through the weekend, especially as the only Kenyan among the 17 local entrants in the field.
“I think I deserve to be playing over the weekend, and more than that, contending. I’m not quite there for the title yet, but at least I’m among the players still in the mix,” he added.
Friday was a massive boost for Kibugu, who felt the energy of the crowd rallying behind him throughout the day.
“Come out in large numbers, make some noise. We love that. Bring the energy to the tournament. I can’t wait to play over the weekend, put together some solid scores, and hopefully grab a few more birdies too.”
ALSO READ: Kenya’s Njoroge Kibugu tees off 2026 Magical Kenya Open with four under par
Meanwhile, Round Two saw Frederic Lacroix shot a second-round 62 to share the halfway lead with Casey Jarvis.
At 13 under par, the pair held a two-shot lead over the field as they attempted to wrestle the limelight from Kenya’s Njoroge Kibugu, who delighted the home crowd by making the cut with an eagle at the last.
Jarvis’ fellow South African Hennie Du Plessis fired a stunning 61, which would have been a course record had preferred lies not been in play at Karen Country Club, to share third place with Spain’s Angel Ayora and Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia.