Whats On this Week: Life-changing opportunities await ‘journeyman' players at the DP World Tour in Kenya
The DP World Tour resumes this week after a short break with the $2.5 million Magical Kenyan Open, held at Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi, Kenya.
This is the ninth tournament of the 42-event Race to Dubai season, and with just three counting tournaments remaining in the International Series mini-Order of Merit, there's plenty to look forward to – including two upcoming events in South Africa that will complete the Series.
Haotong Li (China), the recent winner of the Commercial Masters Qatar Masters at Doha Golf Club, is one of the players in top form.
Alongside him is 24-year-old Wilco Nienaber (RSA), who won last week's NTT Data Pro-Am on the newly rebranded HotelPlanner Tour (formerly the Challenge Tour) – a change that may still be a bit tricky for many to wrap their heads around.
Nienaber shot impressive rounds of 60, 66, 66, and 70, finishing with a 27-under-par score of 262 to win by seven shots.
Regarded as one of the most talented golfers worldwide, Nienaber is certainly a player to watch this week, throughout the year, and beyond.
Dubai-based Guido Migliozzi (ITA) and Spain's Adrian Otaegui, playing under the UAE flag, are also among the standouts, as well as Eugenio Chacarra (Spain), formerly with LIV Golf, who has received an invitation to play.
Another exciting newcomer to keep an eye on is Wenyl Ding (China), who turned pro after the 2024 Asian Amateur Championship in Japan. Ding has made a strong start to his professional career and could make waves at this event.
With 19 Kenyan players in the field, including 13 who've earned National Spots through Category 8 of the DP World Tour's Conditions of Entry, this tournament is particularly special for the host country.
This week offers 'journeyman' players a chance to shine and potentially secure their first victory. For many, this tournament could be the springboard to a life-changing opportunity. As the DP World Tour's mantra reminds us, 'It's all about playing opportunities.'
All five recent winners of this event are also in the field, marking its return to the DP World Tour schedule:
2019: Guido Migliozzi (ITA)
2021: Justin Harding (RSA)
2022: Ashun Wu (CHN)
2023: Jorge Campillo (SPA)
2024: Darius Van Driel (NLD)
Upcoming Events:
PGA Tour
Thursday, February 20 – Sunday, February 23, 2025
Mexico Open at VidantaWorld
Venue: Vidanta, Vallarta, Mexico
Purse: $7 million
DP World Tour
Thursday, February 20 – Sunday, February 23, 2025
Magical Kenyan Open
Venue: Muthaiga GC, Nairobi, Kenya
Purse: $2.5 million
LPGA
Thursday, February 20 – Sunday, February 23, 2025
HONDA LPGA Thailand
Venue: Siam Country
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