NAIROBI, Kenya, February 20, 2026 – Kenya pro golfer Njoroge Kibugu pulled a rabbit out of the hat at the death to make the cut for the Magical Kenya Open — presented by Absa Bank Kenya — on Friday evening.
The 22-year-old seemed destined to miss out on the next round of the DP World Tour event before carding an eagle on the 18th hole to end the day on 5-under-par 69 at the Karen Country Club.
On a day when his fellow countrymen, Edwin Mudanyi and John Lejirma, had come agonisingly close to attain the 4-under-par cut, it was left to the Windsor Country and Golf Club player to keep the Kenyan flag flying high on the course.
He began with a generally unblemished performance on the front nine; notably, bagging a birdie on the par-3 seventh hole.
With a score of 5-under-par, Kibugu’s dream of making the cut remained on course (no pun intended), until a bogey on the par-3 12th hole.
Another bogey on the par-3 14th hole and the youngster’s dream seemed to be billowing in smoke as his overall score dropped to 3-under-par.
However, 506m swing at the 18th hole rescusitated Njoroge’s hopes, leaving him with the easiest of putts to card an eagle and secure his place in the next round.
