Twelve-year-old Kanana Muthomi delivered a sensational performance to win the 2025 Muthaiga Ladies Open, outshining a strong field of elite female amateur golfers at the par-71 Muthaiga Golf Club on Sunday.
The rising star from Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club carded an impressive two-under-par 69—emerging as the only player to finish under par.
She beat her closest challengers, Joyce Njuguini and Mercy Nyanchama, by a commanding four shots.
“Winning this event means a lot to me. It’s one of the biggest on the calendar and attracts such a high-quality field. I kept things simple,” said Kanana after receiving her winner’s trophy.
“I didn’t force shots, and when I had birdie chances, I took them. I’ve been working on my mid-irons, and that really helped today, especially on 10 and 11 where I hit it close.”
Starting early, Kanana capitalized on the calm morning conditions to post the round of the day.
She showed poise and maturity beyond her years, staying composed throughout her round.
Her scorecard featured birdies on holes 4, 10, 11, and 17, and she dropped just two shots on holes 7 and 12.
She parred the remaining 12 holes, delivering a clean and steady performance that secured her first major win on the women’s circuit.
The event, held under the auspices of the Kenya Ladies Golf Union and sponsored by NCBA Insurance, attracted over 200 top amateur female golfers from across the country.
It remains one of the most competitive fixtures on the local calendar and counts toward Golfer of the Year (GOTY) ranking points.
The sponsorship is part of the NCBA Group’s “Change the Story” sustainability agenda, which focuses on supporting women in sport and growing the game of golf in Kenya.
Joyce Njuguini and Mercy Nyanchama both returned scores of 73 (+2) to tie for second place.
Njuguini opened with a birdie at the par-4 third but was set back by bogeys on holes 2, 7, and 9.
Her troubles continued on the back nine with bogeys on 14 and 16, before she finished strongly with birdies at 17 and 18.
“I gave myself some work to do after the front nine,” said Njuguini.
“But I fought hard to recover. The birdies at 17 and 18 helped end the round on a high note. There’s still work to do in terms of course management, but overall, I’m happy with how I closed.”
Nyanchama played a more conservative round, picking up birdies at 12 and 18.
However, bogeys on holes 5, 8, 11, and 14 left her two over for the day.
She remained composed in the closing stretch and capped off her round with par-par-birdie.
“My strategy was to stay level-headed and give myself pars where possible,” said Nyanchama.
“I struggled a bit around the turn, but I stayed calm. I’m especially happy with how I played the last two holes.”
Kellie Gachaga finished fourth with a 75 (+4) after a topsy-turvy round.
She endured a tough front nine, which included a double bogey on the par-5 7th and additional bogeys on 2, 3, 6, and 9 for a 42.
However, she bounced back brilliantly with birdies on 13, 14, 15, and 18, and bogeys on 10 and 12, to post a remarkable 33 on the back nine—the best in the field.
Speaking at the event, NCBA Insurance Managing Director Stella Njunge reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to women’s sports.
“At NCBA, we believe golf reflects many of the values that define who we are. We’re proud to support platforms that elevate women in sport as part of our ‘Change the Story’ agenda,” she said.
“The Muthaiga Ladies Open is a shining example of how far the women’s game has come in Kenya, and we’re honoured to contribute to that progress. As insurers, we also aim to safeguard the ambitions of individuals through products designed for those who pursue excellence both on and off the course.”
