Migliozzi earns first European Tour title at Magical Kenya Open

Guido Migliozzi triumped at the Magical Kenya Open presented by Absa to win his maiden European Tour title by one shot

Migliozzi came through European Tour qualifying last year and was playing in just his 14th event when he teed up in Nairobi this week, so he’d be forgiven for being nervous as he walked to the final hole with a one shot lead. 

But it turns out the 22-year-old thrives under pressure, parring his way in over the final six holes to card a two-under 69 and a winning score of 16-under. 

“I like this moment,” he said. “I like the pressure, it’s like a drug. I love pressure, I love playing with a lot of people looking at me and a lot of cameras.

“There was a lot of pressure on the  course. After the birdie at the 12th I was leading but it was tough. I just kept patient towards the end, that was it.

“I enjoyed the last two days very much. The pressure was a lot and I’m happy about how I’m playing under pressure, also with my putting game that I worked a lot on.”

The youngster began the day in a tie for the lead with Adri Arnaus, but quickly found himself alone at the top after his playing partner carded back to back bogeys from the second. 

That intial spell at the top wasn’t to last though, and it quickly became another week on the European Tour with a stacked leaderboard as a dropped shot from Migliozzi on the fourth and a birdie from Arnaus on the fifth had them in a four-way tie for the lead. 

Louis De Jager edged ahead after the par five sixth but was matched by both Arnaus and Migliozzi, who then followed it up with a second birdie on the seventh to move back in front. 

But Migliozzi’s luck seemed to take a turn for the worse after finding his ball against a tree trunk, but he kept his composure and gave himself a chance, yet missed his five-foot par-putt. 

On the very next hole Migliozzi moved ahead once more before De Jager and Arnaus made the most of the par-five 11th to rejoin the top, but a birdie on the 12th put the Italian firmly back in the driving seat.

It would be his last of the day, but six straight pars were enough to hold off the challenges of Arnaus, De Jager and last week’s winner Justin Harding, who would end up in a share for 2nd after a late charge saw him card an eagle and hole out from 20 feet on 17 to get to 15-under-par.