The 2025 Trans Nzoia Open champion Josphat Rono produced a superb final-round performance to win the Malindi Open, popularly known as the Vasco da Gama Cup, at the par-70 Malindi Golf Club.
Rono, playing off the Golf Park Club, carded a total of seven-over-par 217 over the three-day, 54-hole Kenya Amateur Golf Championships (KAGC) Series event to claim the title.
The victory saw Rono edge out a strong field that included defending champion Elvis Muigua and KAGC Series leader Jay Sandhu, among other leading amateur golfers.
Rono opened his campaign on Friday with a six-over-par 76 before returning a four-over-par 74 in the second round. However, he saved his best for the final round, firing an impressive three-under-par 67 to complete a remarkable turnaround and secure the championship.
His final-round 67 was the lowest score of the tournament and proved decisive as Rono rose to the top of the leaderboard to add the Malindi Open title to his growing list of KAGC achievements.
Top ten finishers
- Josphat Rono (Golf Park) 76, 74, 67= 217
- Alex Mwangi (Windsor) 70, 75, 75= 220
- Elvis Muigua (Windsor) 73, 76, 73= 222
- William Odeck (Nyali) 74, 75, 73= 222
- Isaac Makokha (Kenya Railways) 76, 72, 75= 223
- Ebill Omollo (Vetlab) 75, 76, 73= 224
- Gathongo Kaguta (Nyali) 76, 81, 69= 226