Dutchman Darius van Driel secured a dream come true victory at the Magical Kenya Open, claiming his first-ever DP World Tour title in dramatic fashion at the Muthaiga Golf Club.

Van Driel, 34, held his nerve throughout the final round, carding a four-under-par 67 to finish the tournament on a dominant 14-under-par total.

This score proved decisive, placing him two shots clear of his nearest challengers, England's Joe Dean and Spain's Nacho Elvira, who tied for second place at 12-under-par.

"It means a lot," an emotional Van Driel expressed after securing the win. "I never thought it would hit this hard. It is a dream come true."


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The Dutchman's triumph was a display of consistent play throughout the week. He began the tournament with a leading 66 and maintained his composure, recording only one bogey across all four rounds.

A crucial moment came on the tenth hole, where he converted a crucial eagle to solidify his lead.

Van Driel's victory marks a significant milestone in his golfing career.

He regained his DP World Tour card after losing it last year and has now etched his name in history as the first wire-to-wire winner of the 2024 season.

Meanwhile, Joe Dean, who secured joint second place, experienced a life-changing week.


The 29-year-old Englishman, who had to return to his delivery driver job last week after missing the cut in Qatar, birdied the last hole to earn a share of second place and a life-altering payday.

"I don't think it's sunk in yet," Dean said, reflecting on his achievement. "It's got to be (life-changing). It's what people dream of, it's what I've been aiming to do for a long time."

The Magical Kenya Open not only crowned a new champion but also showcased the diverse talent within the sport.

Ugandan golfer Ronald Rugumayo, despite finishing 71st overall, highlighted the importance of the event for East African players, emphasizing the learning opportunities and the platform it provides to compete on a global stage.

The 2024 Magical Kenya Open proved to be a week of emotional victories, showcasing both established and emerging talent within the DP World Tour.

Cabinet Secretary of Sports, Creative Economy, and Youth Affairs Ababu Namwamba lauded the organizers for their efforts in elevating the profile of the tournament, emphasizing its economic and cultural significance.


It drew 144 players, including a contingent of 13 representatives from Kenya. The total prize purse amounted to 2.5 million Euros, equivalent to Sh388,425,000.

Leaderboard -Top 10

1 Darius Van Driel, (Ned )-4 18 66 69 68 67= 270 (-14)

2 Joe Dean, (Eng) 68, 69, 68, 67 =272 (-12)

2 Nacho Elvira, (Esp) 69, 69 ,68, 66 =272 (12)

4 Elvira Manue, (Esp) 70 66 67 70 =273 (-11)

4 Matthew Jordan, (Eng) 74 65 68 66 =273 (-11)

4 Adrian Otaegui (Esp) 69 70 69 65 =273 (-11)

7 Connor Syme (Sco) 67 68 70 69 =274 ( -10)

7 Ewen Ferguson, (Sco) 69 67 70 68 =274 (-10)

9 Deon Germishuys, (Rsa) 71 66 69 69 =275 ( -9)

9 Jeong Weon Ko (Fra) 18 -9 72, 67, 72, 64 =275 (-7 )