Italian golfer 22-year-old Migliozzi conquers Karen to pocket Sh20.5 million

Italy's Guido Migliozzi scored a brace as he became the second Italian to win the coveted Magical Kenya 2019 presented by Absa yesterday.

The 22-year-old Italian, ranked 28th on the Road to Dubai, carded a closing 16-under 69 to claim the Sh20.5 million purse at Karen Golf & Country Club.

Migliozzi's victory is the second successive win by an Italian at the Barclays Kenya Open, renamed Magical Kenya Open, after Lorenzo Gagli, who won last year.

Migliozzi waded off stiff challenge from South African Justin Hardin, who carded a closing -15-under 66, tied on second place finish with compatriot Louis De Jager. 

It was his first European Tour win and indeed first top 10 on any major circuit, having graduated through Qualifying School, prior to which his three victories had all come on the Alps Tour.

Migliozzi showed no sign of nerves as he reached the 18th leading by one, with his second shot into the par four hitting the flag. From there he two-putted to secure victory.

"Today was a great battle. I like this moment, I like the pressure. It is like a drug. I like playing with a lot of people watching me and a lot of cameras," said Migliozzi in a post-match interview.

"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."

India's Gaganjeet Bhullar, one of several leaders during a tight final day, finished fifth with a final round 69.

Triumphant 2018 Ryder Cup Captain Thomas Bjorn, returning to the Kenyan capital for the first time in 24 years, was further back tied in 12th with four others.

Scotland's Robert MacIntyre signed off with a brilliant 63 to set a new course record after three disappointing rounds, finishing tied 17th.

The European Tour was graced some of the finest tour pros, including Qatar Masters champion Justin Harding, who is ranked under top 50 in the world.

Another notable player in the tournament was Spanish rookie Adri Arnaus, ranked among the top 15 finishers at Qatar Masters.

Then there was MacIntyre, who despite missing out on the top prize, inked a brilliant course record 63 on the final round at the Magical Kenya Open.

MacIntyre made nine out of 10 cuts going into the Magical Kenya Open.

Earlier in the final, it was a see-saw affair between Arnaus, Migliozzi, Louis De Jager and Kalle Samooja, who were all tied at 14-under atop the leader-board.

India's Bhullar was then at 13 under, one shot clear of last week's Qatar Masters winner Harding and Frenchman Romain Langasque.

The four leaders were all looking for their maiden European Tour victories as the event in Nairobi made a dramatic European Tour debut.

Bhullar put his tee shot to 15 feet on the par three second and a wonderful approach to closer range on the par four next meant he was in a tie for the lead.

Spaniard Arnaus went just over the back of the second green and failed to get up, with Bhullar flying the fourth green off the tee and leaving his second in the rough for a double bogey, Migliozzi was the clear leader.

Samooja made a smart par save on the first and an 18-foot putt on the second, which had him within one of top spot, with playing partner De Jager dropped a shot on the same hole.

Arnaus then had a terrible piece of luck as his second shot at the third hit the flag and went off the green, leading to a bogey.

Samooja bogeyed the fourth in the first three rounds and made it an unwanted full house to hand Migliozzi a slim lead.