Magical Kenya Open 2020 cancelled

Stuart Manley from Wales lines a putt during the Magical Kenya Open golf tournament day one at the Karen Country Club in Nairobi on March 14, 2019. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

The Kenya Open Golf Limited and the European Tour on Wednesday, September 9 announced that the Magical Kenya Open, scheduled to take place from November 12-15 at Karen Country Club, has been cancelled.

The tournament will instead be part of the European Tour’s schedule in 2021, returning to a March date which has been the norm since the first Kenya Open Championship in 1967.

“We are continually grateful for the close relationship that we enjoy with the European Tour. By sharing insights with us on the ever-changing landscape of the international golf tournaments, we were able to make an informed decision to once again postpone the Magical Kenya Open to a more suitable time next year,” said Peter Kanyago, the Chairman of Kenya Open Golf Limited.

“The European Tour enjoys a successful long-term relationship with Kenya Open Golf Limited and we are grateful for their continued support. We look forward to working closely with them in the coming months as we prepare to return to Karen Country Club next year,” said Ben Cowen, the European Tour Deputy Chief Operating Officer International.

President Uhuru Kenyatta entourage and fans previously follow and cheerup Winner of the Magical Kenya Open 2019 trophy Italian Guido Micliozzi and Adri Arnaus during Magical Kenya Open 2019 at Karen Country Club on Sunday, March 17, 2019. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Background:

The tournament was initially due to be played from March 12-15 at the same venue, but was postponed following the Government of Kenya directives to prevent the spread of the COVID-19. 

The Kenya Open is part of the European Tour’s reshaped 2020 schedule, 

With all tournaments subject to the Tour’s stringent medical health strategy which will evolve in line with government guidance in the countries the Tour visits. 

Making the announcement, Peter Kanyago, the Chairman of the Kenya Open Golf Limited pointed out the special relationship that the Kenya Open continues to have with the European Tour and the aim of growing the game of golf in Kenya and the region.

“The Kenya Open has been connected with the European Tour since the mid-1970s. We held the first designated full European Tour title event last year and we were all happy with the success. We would like to keep the momentum going by hosting the second European Tour event this year,” said Peter Kanyago.

“Being a European Tour event, the Magical Kenya Open will be televised live all over the world just like it was last year.This will give the Kenyan tourism industry the impetus it requires to start rebuilding after the devastation caused by the global pandemic as people all over the world see that our country is opening up,” added Kanyago.

The prize purse for the rescheduled Magical Kenya Open 2020 will be€ 1,000,000 and is expected to have a field size of 144 players.

Out of these, 12 will be from the 2019-2020 Safari Tour as well as six amateur golfers selected by the Kenya Golf Union.

Ben Cowen, the European Tour’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer International, said: “We are very pleased to be able to keep the proud tradition of the Magical Kenya Open going this November. We look forward to working with Keyna Open Golf Limited, the tournament partners and everyone in the local region in staging another successful edition as part of our reshaped 2020 season.”