Pranay Kapur Claims Victory at 2025 NCBA Kabete Open
Pranay Kapur of the Royal Johannesburg Golf Club emerged as the champion of the 2025 NCBA Kabete Open, held at the VetLab Sports Club over the weekend. He secured his victory with a total score of one-over-par 217 across 54 holes in the three-day tournament. Kapur maintained a consistent performance throughout the event, posting scores of 78 and 68 in the first two rounds before finishing with a one-under-par round to claim the top spot.
Kapur’s win placed him ahead of defending champion Adel Taufiq Balala of the Nyali Golf & Country Club and Gilbert Chalwe, also from the Royal Johannesburg Golf Club, who both ended with a score of 219 (+3).
Reflecting on the tournament, Kapur shared, “It was a decent tournament. I started with a very rough round on Friday but improved my putting in the second round. In the third round, I was tied with three other players for the lead, but I knew I had to stay calm and composed and play my game. Overall, it was a good tournament, and I liked the way I bounced back.”
Kanana Muthomi Shines as Top Female Player
Teenage sensation Kanana Muthomi delivered a masterclass performance, securing the title of the best lady player with an overall score of ten-over-par 226. Her performance placed her in eighth position overall, showcasing her growing talent in the golfing world.
Kapur faced a challenging start on Friday, recording six bogeys in the 3rd, 4th, 7th, 10th, 14th, and 18th holes while paring the rest to finish with a score of 78. However, he turned things around in the second round, playing a blemish-free round with birdies in the 2nd, 7th, 15th, and 16th holes, finishing four strokes under par.
Adel Taufiq Balala's Journey to Second Place
Balala, who aimed for his fourth title in the tournament, faced a difficult start as well. On Friday, he recorded a double-bogey on the first hole and five bogeys in the 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 15th, and 18th holes, finishing with a score of 79.
On Saturday, he showed improvement with birdies in the 7th, 9th, 12th, 15th, and 17th holes, although he bogeyed the 10th and 18th holes. He finished the day with a score of 69. In the final round, Balala managed an eagle on the 18th hole, along with birdies in the 7th, 8th, and 12th holes, and bogeys on the 1st, 3rd, 13th, and 14th holes, resulting in a final score of three-over-par 219.
Gilbert Chalwe's Strong Finish
Gilbert Chalwe made a remarkable final round, climbing 11 places to finish joint-second with Balala. His strong start on Sunday included consecutive birdies in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th holes, plus another birdie in the 12th hole. With only one dropped stroke on the 6th hole, he carded a four-under-par 68, making up for his earlier rounds of 76 and 75.
Other Notable Performances
Elvis Muigua, currently third on the KAGC standings, and championship leader John Lejirma both finished with a total of 221 (+5) after three rounds. This marked another intense competition, with Michael Karanga, who is second on the series rankings this season, finishing 14th.
International Participation and Future Events
The event attracted 90 top players from around the world, competing for crucial World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) and Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) points. Participants included 80 from Kenya, two each from Rwanda, Mauritius, and Austria, and one each from Zambia, South Africa, and Burundi.
As the focus shifts to the next stage of the three-part Kenya Swing series, the NCBA Kenya Amateur Matchplay Championship will take place from Friday, 25th July, through to Sunday, 27th at the Sigona Golf Club.
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