The European Tour continues to extend its global reach with Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) confirming the Kenya Open Golf Championship will join the International Schedule as a new event next year.
Following the tournament’s continued success on the European Challenge Tour for the past 25 years, the Kenya Open will see an elevated prize purse of €1.1 million and a full-field event to be held at the Karen Country Club from March 14-17, 2019.
Before joining the Challenge Tour schedule in 1991, the Kenya Open witnessed some memorable winners, including the late, great Seve Ballesteros and fellow Masters Tournament winner Ian Woosnam.
Ben Cowen, the European Tour’s Director of International Policy, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Kenya Open Golf Championship to the European Tour in 2019 and we look forward to building on the esteemed reputation the tournament has already developed as one of the Challenge Tour’s leading events.
“We are excited to continue our work with Kenya Open Golf Limited and the Government of Kenya, who have been valued supporters of this tournament on the Challenge Tour for many years, and again now as it starts a new chapter on the European Tour.”
This year marked the 50th anniversary of the Kenya Open since its inception in 1967, with Italy’s Lorenzo Gagli joining the illustrious list of champions, and the event is expected to draw the interest from across the globe and further boost the country’s sports tourism offering.
Peter Kanyago, KOGL Chairman, said: “I am pleased to announce the Kenya Open Golf Championship, having been ascertained to attain the requirements to join the European Tour, has officially received the European Tour status and will be part of the worldwide golf circuit starting next year.
“We are delighted to have achieved this milestone as we believe it will propel the Kenya Open Golf Championship to the next level as we embark on this new phase of the tournament. As result of the support by the Government and President Uhuru Kenyatta, the total prize fund for the tournament will more than double from €500,000 to €1.1 million. We believe that the tournament will attract a higher caliber of top players from across the globe – further raising the profile of the event.”
