By PHILLIP ORWA
Windsor Golf & Country Club’s Pro Njoroge Kibugu has been crowned the Order of Merit champion of the inaugural Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing, his victory at the season finale, the Absa Invitational Series, played at Karen Country Club.
The Windsor Pro began the final round tied for the lead with Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera on 8-under par, and at the tail end delivered a clinical performance, carding a final-round 6-under par 64 to pull clear and secure both the tournament title and the overall Order of Merit crown.
His final round featured seven birdies on holes 6, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15 and 18, against a single bogey on the 3rd, as he closed the tournament on an impressive 14-under par 196.
The victory confirmed Kibugu’s place at the top of the final Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing Order of Merit, where he finished with 1,497 points following four tournament wins and top finishes during the season. He also walked away with Sh400,000 from the tournament’s Sh2 million prize purse.
“This one means a lot to me. Coming into the season finale, I wasn’t feeling my best after the holiday break, but I trusted my game and focused on giving myself chances. I putted well and stayed patient, and that made the difference. Winning the Order of Merit feels like a real statement and a reward for the work I’ve put in. It gives me confidence and motivation for what lies ahead.” said Kibugu
Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera finished second overall on 9-under par 201, He started strongly with birdies on the 1st and 2nd, but dropped shots on the 4th, 5th and 15th, before closing with birdies on 17 and 18 to sign for a 1-under par final round.
His runner-up finish saw him end the season second on the Order of Merit with 1,317 points, having claimed two tournament wins during the campaign.
Taimur Malik finished as the leading amateur at Karen, producing a superb final-round 5-under par 65 to finish third on the leaderboard with a total of 8-under par 202.
Mutahi Kibugu finished fourth on 4-under par 206, while Isaiah Otuke claimed fifth place on 3-under par 205. Zimbabwe’s Visitor Mapwanya produced the lowest round of the tournament, firing a 7-under par final round, to finish tied on 2-under par 208 alongside Greg Snow and Mike Kisia.
On the final Order of Merit standings, Dismas Indiza finished third with 753 points, followed by amateur John Lejirma in fourth with 605 points, and Greg Snow in fifth with 578 points.
The Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing concludes its inaugural season having established a clear competitive pathway for professional and elite amateur golfers across the region, with the top performers now advancing to continental playoff opportunities and Sunshine Tour qualification events.
Following the Karen event, eyes now turn to the Big Easy Tour Playoff which will be held at the Modderfontein Golf Club on 27th – 29th January 2026. The top 12 players on the combined East Africa Swing and Big Easy Tour Order of Merit will earn direct playing cards to the Sunshine Tour.
Afterwards, the top 30 players from the SDT East Africa Swing and top 30 from South Africa’s Big Easy Tour will contest the Big Easy Tour Finals, scheduled for March 2026 in South Africa where 12 slots will be on offer to play at the Sunshine Tour Final Qualifying School for a chance to secure additional Sunshine Tour cards.
FINAL LEADERBOARD OF Absa INVITATIONAL SERIES AT KAREN
Position
Name
Nationality
Par
R1
R2
R3
Score
1
Njoroge Kibugu
Kenya
-14
64
68
64
196
2
Celestin Nsanzuwera
Rwanda
-9
65
67
69
201
3
Taimur Malik (a)
Kenya
-8
70
67
65
202
4
Mutahi Kibugu
Kenya
-4
69
69
68
206
5
Isaiah Otuke
Kenya
-3
67
69
71
207
6
Visitor Mapwanya
Zimbabwe
-2
73
72
63
208
Greg Snow
Kenya
-2
71
69
68
208
Mike Kisia
Kenya
-2
68
69
71
208
9
Paul Chidale
Malawi
-1
70
74
65
209
Elvis Muigua (a)
Kenya
-1
70
67
72
209
11
Kamalo Bako
Nigeria
Par
66
73
71
210
12
Samuel Njoroge
Kennya
1
70
72
69
211
Jastas Madoya
Kenya
1
69
70
72
211
14
John Lejirma (a)
Kenya
3
72
68
73
213
Dismas Indiza
Kenya
3
73
67
73
213
16
Rizwan Charania
Kenya
4
71
74
69
214
Mohit Mediratta
Kenya
4
71
69
74
214
18
Daniel Nduva
Kenya
5
68
77
70
215
Nuru Mollel
Tanzania
5
69
75
71
215
Jean D’amour (a)
Rwanda
5
69
69
77
215
21
Sunday Olapade
Kenya
7
76
69
72
217
Abraham Galgalo
Kenya
7
76
69
72
217
Kamoza Longwe (a)
Kenya
7
75
69
73
217
Willy Deus
Uganda
7
73
71
73
217
Adel Balala (a)
Kenya
7
73
70
74
217
Abraham Ainamani
Uganda
7
73
70
74
217
Kenneth Bollo
Kenya
7
68
72
77
217
28
Phillip Kasozi
Uganda
8
70
75
73
218
David Wakhu
Kenya
8
72
71
75
218
Otile Ronald
Uganda
8
68
75
75
218
31
Liberty Gumisa
Zimbabwe
