Kibugu Cashes In: Absa Awards KES 2 Million Boost After Magical Kenya Open Heroics
By Jeff Kizzilah
Absa Bank Kenya has awarded KES 2 million to Kenya’s top professional golfer Njoroge Kibugu in recognition of his outstanding performance at the 2026 Magical Kenya Open presented by Absa.
Kibugu emerged as the only Kenyan to make the cut to the final round, showcasing resilience and elite skill against a competitive field drawn from over 30 countries. His standout moment came in round two, where a spectacular eagle at hole 18 secured his place in the final stages of the tournament.
Following in the footsteps of his brother, Mutahi Kibugu, who made the cut in 2023, Kibugu capped off his campaign in style with a flawless final round of 65, sinking five birdies to finish an impressive six-under-par overall.
Speaking during the cheque handover ceremony at Karen Country Club, Absa Bank Kenya’s Marketing and Corporate Affairs Director, Mwihaki Wachira, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to nurturing local talent and elevating Kenya’s presence on the global golfing stage.
“Through our continued partnership with Kenya Open Golf Limited and other stakeholders in the sports ecosystem, we are proud to support the growth of golf in Kenya and across the region. Njoroge’s performance is a testament to the immense potential we have locally, and we are delighted to recognise and support his journey as he competes at the highest level,” she said.
Kibugu expressed appreciation for the recognition, noting that the financial boost will significantly support his professional ambitions.
“I would like to thank Absa for this two million cash reward. It will help towards my development on the Sunshine Tour this season, running from April 15th to March 2027. One of my goals is to win a Sunshine Tour event and finish in the top twenty of the Order of Merit, as no Kenyan has achieved this yet. I am very excited for what lies ahead and look forward to the next Magical Kenya Open,” he said.
Absa Bank Kenya reinforced its commitment to Kenyan golf by investing KES 65 million into the 2026 tournament, marking its 15th consecutive year as the presenting partner and largest private sector sponsor. The prestigious event took place from February 19th to 22nd, 2026, at Karen Country Club.
In addition to Absa’s reward, Kibugu received a further KES 5 million from the Kenyan government in recognition of his achievement and to support his continued development. The 22-year-old now heads to South Africa to compete in the Sunshine Tour, having secured his place through a top finish in the East Africa Swing of the Sunshine Development Tour.
