Juma, Kibugu lead Tanzania Open Golf Championship 2025
ARUSHA: TANZANIA’S Likuli Juma and Kenya’s Njoroge Kibugu emerged as early leaders in the elite amateur and professional categories, respectively, after the opening round of the Vodacom Tanzania Open Golf Championship 2025.
The prestigious four-day, 72-hole event teed off on Thursday at the scenic Kili Golf Club in Arusha, attracting over 160 amateur and professional golfers from across East and Southern Africa.
Participants hail from countries including Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia and host nation Tanzania.
Representing TPDF Lugalo Golf Club of Dar es Salaam, Juma carded a +1 (74) gross to lead the amateur leaderboard by a single stroke. He edged out a club mate Enosh Wanyeche and Rwanda’s Byiringiro Jacques, who both finished with a 75.
Samwel Kileo and Isiaka Daudi, also from Lugalo, tied for fourth place with matching scores of 76, rounding out a strong showing by the Tanzanian contingent.
Kenya’s Njoroge Kibugu delivered a steady round of 1-under-par (-1) to top the professional leaderboard at the close of day one.
He holds a narrow lead over Tanzania’s Isaac Wanyeche, who finished the round at +2.
Fresh off his victory at the Lina Professional Golfers (PG) Pro-Am in Morogoro last weekend, Tanzania’s Fadhil Nkya posted a +3 to sit third.
A tight group tied for fourth at +5 includes Tanzanians Hassan Kadio, Rajab Pembe and John Said, as well as Kenyans Robinson Owiti, Michael Karanga and John Limb.
Tanzania Golf Union (TGU) Chairman Gilman Kasiga expressed satisfaction with the tournament’s start, highlighting both the strong turnout and excellent course conditions.
“We are very pleased with how the tournament has started. The participation from across the region reflects the growing strength of golf in East and Southern Africa,” said Kasiga.
With a prize pool exceeding 35m/-, the Vodacom Tanzania Open ranks among the most lucrative golf events in the region.
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The top 22 professional players who make the cut after Friday’s round will share the cash prizes, with the overall winner set to receive 8.2m/-.
Meanwhile, 15 top-performing amateurs will be awarded prizes, with the leading amateur earning 2.5m/-, aligning with international amateur golf regulations that cap earnings under USD 1,000.
