Fresh from winning Railway Invitation, Elvis Muigua will be among the leading contenders ready to defend his Malindi Open ‘Vasco Da Gama Cup’ gets underway tomorrow at the Malindi Golf Club.
The Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club golfer produced a strong final round last weekend to win the 2026 NCBA Railway Invitation, carding a three-round total of 217, 1-over par, to claim his second KAGC title of the season after previously winning the fourth edition of the Ronald Marshall and Toby Gibson Tournament at Njoro Golf Club in Nakuru County in May and thus will head to Malindi with his head high.
The three-day tournament, running through Sunday, September 13, will bring together a strong field of golfers competing for ranking points as well as a share of the KES 550,000 prize purse, with Muigua facing several familiar challengers, including last year’s runner-up Ebill Omollo.
Muigua claimed the Malindi title in dramatic fashion last year after a three-hole playoff against Omollo and Michael Karanga, with all three players having finished the regulation rounds on nine-over-par 219.
The defending champion will be looking to draw on that experience as he begins his title defence, although the field includes several players capable of mounting a challenge.
The other entrants include John Kamaisi of Nakuru Golf Club, Joseph Olwali of Karen Country Club, Josphat Rono of Golf Park Golf Club, Alex Mwangi of Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club, Wesley Kibet of Royal Nairobi Golf Club, and Dickson Wekesa, Odek William and Gathogo Kaguta of Nyali Golf & Country Club.
Naomi Kikulu of Nyali Golf & Country Club leads the list of ladies set to take part in Malindi alongside clubmate Janet Ouma, Christine Kinyeru of Mombasa Golf Club, and home player Kate Mwikali.
With Muigua returning as champion, all eyes will be on whether he can once again hold his nerve when the tournament reaches its decisive stages on Sunday.
The opening round tees off on Friday, with the competition continuing through the weekend before the champion is crowned on Sunday.
Malindi Open ‘Vasco Da Gama Cup’ Tee Times
1: 07:30 F. Obonyo, K. Dennis; 07:39 C. Chai, M. Shauri, J. Olwali; 07:48 T. Ole Kina, J. Ouma, J. Kamaisi; 07:57 J. Mramba, G. Barasa, A. Mwangi; 08:06 K. Charo, E. Muigua, J. Ndichu; 08:15 I. Ndichu, E. Omollo, F. Dau; 08:24 H. Kipkorir, C. Otieno, I. Makokha; 08:33 C. Kinyeru, D. Wekesa, N. Nderitu; 08:42 K. Choyo, J. Sulubu, E. Limo; 08:51 P. Katana, A. Abdullah, A. Clinton; 11:30 D. Chai, J. Kinuthia; 11:39 D. Barasa, A. Bozzolasco, G. Karioki; 11:48 K. Anyien, K. Charo, J. Michael; 11:57 J. Koina, R. Leming’Ani, K. Mwikali; 12:06 A. Odongo, F. Kenga, S. Etaan; 12:15 W. Kibet, O. William, M. Chege; 12:24 J. Rono, G. Kaguta, N. Kikulu; 12:33 F. Bukwo, H. Langat, W. Michael; 12:42 S. Orinda, C. Johana, C. Otieno