KOGL Chairman Patrick Obath awards Njoroge Kibugu during the Thika Greens Leg of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing; FILEThe Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL), organisers of the Magical Kenya Open and the Safari Tour, have signed a Tour Recognition Agreement with the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing (SDT).
The landmark partnership elevates the SDT to a “recognised tournament” offering Safari Tour ranking points, which will now count exclusively towards qualification for the Magical Kenya Open, a DP World Tour championship.
KOGL Chairman Patrick Obath said the agreement will expand opportunities for regional golfers while maintaining the Safari Tour as the sole pathway to the prestigious tournament.
“This agreement with the SDT will allow our Safari Tour members to earn Magical Kenya Open ranking points whilst playing on the SDT,” said Obath.
“This synergy between the Tours opens up spaces and opportunities for our professional golfers to play more golf, participate in more tournaments, and earn ranking points.”
He added that KOGL will provide tournament officials to help maintain the high standards expected of both Tours. “KOGL will support the SDT with tournament officials to ensure that the course set-up and officiating are maintained at a very high standard befitting of both Tours,” he said.
The Safari Tour ranking points system will determine which professionals qualify for the Magical Kenya Open.
“The pathway into the Magical Kenya Open will be merit-based and clearly defined. The professional golfers now know what is required of them to qualify, and as we progress through the season, it is their hard work and commitment to the sport that will earn them spots,” noted Obath.
The SDT Betika Masters, currently taking place at the Vet Lab Sports Club and concluding on Tuesday, marks the first qualifying event under the new agreement.
“We are kicking off at Vet Lab, we will also have one event in Nigeria in the coming months, and all upcoming SDT events at Limuru Country Club, Vipingo, and Karen Country Club will count towards the Safari Tour ranking and ultimately qualification into the Magical Kenya Open 2026,” said Obath.
The Vet Lab event has drawn an impressive field of elite amateur and professional golfers from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Malawi, India, and the United States.
Competitors are vying for a share of the KSh2 million prize purse in each leg, along with valuable Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points.
