Safari Tour final leg winner will pocket Sh450,000 after the last leg of the 2019-2020 Safari Golf Tour Series, which will be played at the Karen Country Club from February 22-26.
Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL), who are the event organisers, said they have tripled the total prize money, from Sh1 million to Sh3 million.
The increase in prize money means winner in the professional rank will get Sh450,000 up from Sh150,000.
KOGL Tournament Director, Patrick Obath, said the move to increase the prize kitty will boost player’s morale as they seek to compete for the final qualification slots for the forthcoming Magical Kenya Open presented by Absa Golf Championship.
“We expect the level of competition to go up a notch higher with the prize fund increase and look forward to a grand finish to the tournament at the Karen golf course," said Obath.
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"Our desire is to see many low scores at this event as we get near this year’s Magical Kenya Open presented by Absa Golf Championship."
“The Safari Tour has this season witnessed enhanced competition and performance; pointing to a gradual growth and development in the players’ game, which gives our local players great encouragement at this year’s Kenya Open"
"Our hope is that the players will use the opportunity at Karen to prepare for the Kenya Open which will be played at the same venue and following the same format."
Professional Golfers of Kenya Captain C.J. Wangai was equally elated with the move.
“Being the final tournament for this season’s Tour, the increase in prize money is a welcome move. Most professional golfers have been looking forward to this." [Mose Sammy]
"I expect to see a bigger number of professional players from other countries coming down this Saturday because of the prize money."
The list of the top eight Kenyans, who will have qualified to play at this year’s Magical Kenya Open, will be announced at the end of the tournament.
Currently, Dismas Indiza, who tops the Road to Kenya Open rankings with 395.1 points, Thika Golf Club’s Simon Ngige (381.9 points), Greg Snow (376.5 points) and Royal Nairobi’s Erick Ooko (317.3 points) are the only Kenyan pros who have already secured slots to play at next month’s Kenya Open. The other four slots are yet to be confirmed.
Two regional players, who have been playing at this season’s Safari Golf Tour, have also qualified to play at the Kenya Open.
They are Robson Chinhoi from Zimbabwe and Andrew Odoh from Nigeria.
