Magical Kenya Open 2024: Field, betting odds, and tee times as the DP World Tour returns to Africa

DP World Tour: Magical Kenya Open

The DP World Tour continues its International Swing with a return to Africa to play the Magical Kenya Open at Muthaiga GC

The DP World Tour lands in Kenya ahead of the Magical Kenya Open. This event marks the first of three in the continent before the International Swing comes to an end and the DP World Tour embarks on its Asian Swing.

Before jetting off to South Africa and Asia in the coming weeks, the Tour is heading to Muthaiga GC in the heart of Nairobi. The Magical Kenya Open has been an event played on the DP World Tour since 2019. Prior to 2019, the Kenya Open was played as part of the Challenge Tour for 27 years and the Safari Tour for 21 years.

During its time as an official event on the DP World Tour, the Magical Kenya Open has played host to some epic battles at both Muthaiga GC and Karen CC. Last year Jorge Campillo fired in a 63 on moving day to earn a spot in the final group on Sunday alongside 2023 Ryder Cup rookie Robert MacIntyre and Masahiro Kawamura. Campillo held off the challengers and finished the final round atop the leaderboard for the first time in three years.

Campillo isn’t the only Spaniard to have emerged victorious at the Kenya Open. In 1978, when the Kenya Open was part of the Safari Tour, a certain 20-year-old Spanish golfer by the name of Severiano Ballesteros claimed his only win on the Safari Tour.

Looking at the history of the Kenya Open, beyond 2019 when it was introduced as a DP World Tour event and renamed the Magical Kenya Open, there have been some impressive winners. In 2017, England’s Aaron Rai lifted the famous trophy with his Kenyan-born mother in attendance. Ten years earlier, it was Edoardo Molinari who was victorious at Karen CC.

In 2000 future Masters champion, Trevor Immelman won the Tusker Kenya Open (as it was named then). Immelman and Seve aren’t the only Masters champions to have won around Muthaiga GC, Ian Woosnam won the 555 Kenya Open on the Safari Tour in 1986. This year will we see another superstar lift the trophy?

Who is playing in the Magical Kenya Open?

Last year’s champion Jorge Campillo, isn’t in the field this week to defend his title. The most recent winner of this tournament in the field this week is Ashun Wu, the 2022 Champion who made the most of a final-round 76 from Ewen Ferguson (who’s in the field this week). Other past champions playing this week include Justin Harding, Guido Migliozzi, and Edoardo Molinari.

The most recent winner on the DP World Tour, two weeks ago at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, Rikuya Hoshino is teeing it up this week. As well as Dylan Frittelli who won the Bahrain Championship three weeks ago.

It might not be the most star-studded field playing in this year’s Magical Kenya Open, with many either taking a week off or playing in the Mexico Open on the PGA Tour. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a competitive field all looking to finish the week in top spot. Take a look at the full list of players teeing it up in the Magical Kenya Open and how they qualified here.

What is the format of the Magical Kenya Open?

It is a standard strokeplay event played over 72 holes with a cut after 36 holes (two rounds) that sees the leading 65 players and ties make the final two rounds. The player who achieves the lowest score over four rounds will win the tournament.

Where is the Magical Kenya Open being played?

The Magical Kenya Open, in all its history, has been played at two courses – Muthaiga GC and Karen CC. For the third year in a row, the Magical Kenya Open is going to be hosted at Muthaiga GC in Nairobi. The 7228-yard, par 71 golf course was designed by South African Peter Matkovich.

Who will win the Magical Kenya Open?

Despite the field for this week not being the most star-studded on the calendar, it looks to be a competitive affair at the Magical Kenya Open. The highest-ranked golfer in the field this week is Rikuya Hoshino – it’s hardly surprising to see he’s one of the favorites to lift the trophy this week and achieve back-to-back victories on the DP World Tour.

The only other player in the Official World Golf Rankings top 100 teeing it up this week is Thriston Lawrence – no prizes for guessing that he’s one of the favorites for the Magical Kenya Open. Ewen Ferguson is also very prominent in the betting, taking favoritism at some bookmakers, following two decent performances in the last two tournaments and a good showing in the 2022 and 2023 Magical Kenya Open.

Selected odds (correct at 1 pm GMT on Feb 21, 2024)

Ewen Ferguson 14/1

Rikuya Hoshino 16/1

Thriston Lawrence 16/1

Alex Fitzpatrick 25/1

Romain Langasque 28/1

Jesper Svensson 28/1

Alejandro Del Rey 23/1

Connor Syme 33/1

John Catlin 40/1

Matthew Jordan 50/1

Dylan Frittelli 66/1

Gavin Green 66/1

Ashun Wu 66/1

How much does the winner of the Magical Kenya Open receive?

Last year’s winner of the Magical Kenya Open won $320,000, this year’s winner will take home $425,000. It’s not only the winner who’s due a larger payout from the 2023 Magical Kenya Open thanks to the purse increasing from $2,000,000 to $2,500,000. As part of the new DP World Tour structure, this event enjoys its largest purse in its history.

How to watch the Magical Kenya Open

UK viewers can catch all the action on Sky Sports Golf

All times GMT

Thursday, February 22: Sky Sports Golf, 10.00

Friday, February 23: Sky Sports Golf, 10.00

Saturday, February 24: Sky Sports Golf, 09.30

Sunday, February 25: Sky Sports Golf, 09.00

US viewers can catch all the action on Golf Channel

All times EST

Thursday, February 22: The Golf Channel, 05.00

Friday, February 23: The Golf Channel, 05.00

Saturday, February 24: The Golf Channel, 04.30

Sunday, February 25: The Golf Channel, 04.00

The Magical Kenya Open Tee Times

Tee time information for the opening two rounds of the Magical Kenya Open can be viewed here.

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About the author

James Hogg – Golf Equipment Writer

James has a degree in English Language from Newcastle University and an MA in Journalism from Kingston University.

He spent seven years working for American Golf as part of the sales and fitting team alongside his studies and is a specialist in putters, golf balls, and apparel.

James took up golf as a teenager and, thanks largely to his length and consistency off the tee, he plays off a handicap of 4.7 at Cleveland Golf Club.

You can contact James via email for loads more golf equipment insight.