The second edition of the Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) Equator Tour is set to tee off this Thursday at the par-72 Vet Lab Sports Club in Nairobi, with over 50 professional golfers expected to compete in the opening leg.
The four-day tournament, running from April 23 to 26, will serve as a major qualifying pathway for both the Magical Kenya Open and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, giving local golfers a crucial platform to sharpen their skills and improve global competitiveness.
Among the participants are four Safaricom-sponsored golfers—Samuel Njoroge, Mutahi Kibugu, Matthew Wahome, and Mohit Mediratta—who will be looking to build on their strong performance from the inaugural edition.
In the first edition of the tour, the four golfers topped the overall corporate standings after accumulating 8,555 points through consistent performances across the season, helping Safaricom lift the overall shield.
Speaking ahead of the new season, Mutahi Kibugu expressed confidence in the team’s ability to defend their title.
“Last year was a successful season for our team, and we are delighted to have lifted the shield after finishing top overall. That victory was a proud moment for us and gave the team great confidence heading into the new season. We are excited for this year’s edition and look forward to competing strongly once again as we aim to defend our title,” he said.
The tour has already proven to be an important stepping stone for local professionals. Three of the four Safaricom-backed golfers—Mutahi Kibugu, Samuel Njoroge, and Mohit Mediratta—qualified for and competed in the 2026 Magical Kenya Open held at Karen Country Club in March.
Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said the company was pleased by the progress the players had made and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting golf development in Kenya.
“We are truly pleased to see the impact this series is having on our young players, shaping them and preparing them to compete at the highest level on global stages such as the Magical Kenya Open. We are proud to continue backing these four golfers as they build on their experience and rise to even higher levels of competition,” he said.
Matthew Wahome, who admitted last season was challenging for him, said he is ready for a fresh start.
“Last year was not really good for me, but every day in golf is a learning opportunity. This new season, I am ready together with my team. I have been putting in the work, sharpening my game, and I am confident things will turn around,” he said.
The 2026 PGK Equator Tour will run from April through February 2027, ending with a grand finale ahead of the 2027 Magical Kenya Open.
Last year, Safaricom, through the Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK), announced a three-year sponsorship deal worth KES 3 million to support the four golfers, underlining the company’s continued investment in sports development and young talent in golf.