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South African Kruyswijk pips Parry to win Kenya Open

By AAP Newswire

Feb 24, 2025

South African Jacques Kruyswijk has fought off the challenge of England's John Parry to claim his first European tour title at the Kenya Open in Nairobi.

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Kruyswijk took a one-shot lead into the final round at Muthaiga Golf Club on Sunday but was overtaken at the top of the leaderboard early on after playing partner Parry made back-to-back birdies on the fourth and fifth.

After reclaiming the lead with successive birdies of his own on the sixth and seventh, Kruyswijk never loosened his grip, making further gains at the 10th and 16th to extend his advantage.

And closing pars at the 17th and 18th saw him complete a bogey-free weekend as he finished the tournament on 18 under par to secure a two-shot win.

Parry's second-place finish continues his love affair with Africa, where he has recorded a win and two runners-up finishes in three appearances this season.

Kruyswijk said: "It's special. I'm a little bit lost for words but this is for my family back home, my friends, my team and this is for South Africa."

The South African now moves to second on the Race to Dubai rankings behind England's Tyrrell Hatton.

No Australian made the cut in Nairobi, with Elvis Smyle still the top Aussie in the Race to Dubai in ninth place. David Micheluzzi is 22nd and Jason Scrivener 31st.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press