Cockerill surges to 66, Magical Kenya Open..18 hole results

 DP World Tour : Magical Kenya Open Entry List Tee Times

Round 1 is well underway on the Karen GC in Nairobi and the clubhouse leader at -8 62 Swede Niklas Lemke.

edit>>>>>> Casey Jarvis fired ten birdies to share the first-round lead with Niklas Lemke at the 2026 Magical Kenya Open presented by absa.

The South African was among the later starters at Karen Country Club in Nairobi and fired a superb -8 62 to match Lemke's earlier effort.

Scotland's David Law and Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat were one stroke off the lead at -7 63

Jarvis bogeyed his opening hole but bounced back in some style with six birdies in his next seven as he went out in 30.

He said: "I’m super pleased with the round. I started off with a bogey and thought it wasn’t going to be the best day, but I turned it around pretty quickly and pleased with what I shot.

"I came into the week saying I should be really aggressive, and I think I was pretty aggressive off the tees. I hit the driver nicely and I took advantage of that.

"Around a course like this, I think if you’re on with your driver, you can shoot pretty low. I think being aggressive on a course like this does suit me in a way.

"It’s tough to look ahead of what can happen, so I just stay present and in the moment. Whatever happens, happens."

Lemke finished with an eagle to cap off a flawless round - which began in understated fashion with just two birdies on the front nine.

The Swede made gains at alternate holes on the back nine, birdieing the tenth, 12th, 14th and 16th before a beautiful approach to the last set up a tap-in eagle.

"I think I’ve shot eight under before but not a 62, so I’m pleased with that," he said afterwards. I like these kinds of golf courses. They are a little short, old school, tricky. You have to think your way around it a little bit. I enjoy being here."

Lemke's fellow Swedes Joakim Lagergren and Mikael Lindberg were in a group at -6 64 alongside American Ryggs Johnston, Spaniard Angel Ayora and Portugal's Ricardo Gouveia.

Defending champion Jacques Kruyswijk was -3 after a 67 that featured hole-outs at the second and third, the former for an eagle out of a bunker and the latter for a birdie.

edit>> Canada's Aaron Cockerill was in the late wave not having played in 3 weeks as he and wife Chelsea welcomed their 2nd daughter Tegan on January 31st. 

He went off the 10th with 4 straight pars but back to back bogey's at 14, 15 saw him at +2. However he bounced right back with birdies at 16 &17, then got on a roll with 4 birdies on his inward nine for -4 66 T16.

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)

3 Canadians this week's Genesis Invitational..TEE TIMES/LEADERBOARD (added)

 PGA Tour : Genesis Invitational Leaderboard  Tee Times

It is a short drive  from Pebble Beach down to LA where the Genesis Invitational returns after it was moved to Torrey Pines in 20025 due to the devastating fires the scorched the greater LA area.

So the heavy hitters will all be back in action in another limited 72 man field playing for $20,000,000 and the official pairings will be announced later today (Tuesday) but I can tell you there are 3 Canadians who were in the 2025 top 50 who will play

Corey Conners who is off to a slow start so far T75 last week, Nick Taylor and Taylor Pendrith.

I do know Rory is paired with Tommy Fleetwood and Colin Morikawa.

Xander Schauffele, Si Woo Kim,, Scott Scheffler

Justin Rose, Robert MacIntyre, Chris Gotterup

JJ Spaun (from LA), Hideki Matsuyama (2024 winner at Riviera), Ludvig Aberg (defending)

Tee Times 

Bryan Angus

DP World Tour: Inside the Magical Kenya Open, Cockerill returns,TEE TIMES (added)

 DP World Tour : Magical Kenya Open Entry List Tee Times

After a one-week break, the DP World Tour resumes its International Swing in Africa with the Magical Kenya Open presented by absa.

Back at a former home

This week sees the Magical Kenya Open presented by absa return to Karen Country Club for the first time in five years. Founded in 1937, it is one of the oldest golf clubs in Kenya and has shared hosting duties of this event with Muthaiga Golf Club.

First held in 1967, this year marks the 57th edition of a tournament that became part of the Safari Circuit from 1977 to 1990, before transitioning to the HotelPlanner Tour from 1991 to 2018 and more recently the DP World Tour in 2019. Having hosted in both 2019 and 2021, this is the third of seven DP World Tour editions to be held in Karen, a suburb of Nairobi. It is the 13th edition in the event's history to be held at Karen.

Inside the field

The theme for the tournament this year is 'Open to All' and that is highlighted in the wide range of nationalities represented in the field. From England to Australia, there are players from 29 different countries.

edit>>>>> One of them is Aaron Cockerill the lone Canadian in the field has an added incentive as he and wife Chelsea and daughter Addison celebrate the arrival on January 31st of daughter Tegan.

With 3 missed cuts in 5 events this season Aaron has had success in this event finishing runner up in 2022.

Of the 144 players who will tee it up this week, 47 have won on the DP World Tour. Among them, Freddy Schott makes his return to action following his maiden triumph at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship earlier this month.

Thriston Lawrence, Niklas Nørgaard, Rikuya Hoshino, Matteo Manassero and Antoine Rozner all held dual membership with the PGA TOUR last season and the quintet continue their Race to Dubai campaigns in Kenya.

The professionals in the field will be playing for a $2.7million prize fund, a record for the tournament and up from $2.5million last year.

Kruyswijk defends as past champions assemble

Jacques Kruyswijk produced a brilliant bogey-free weekend to win his first DP World Tour title at last year's edition, held at Muthaiga Golf Club.

The South African held a one-shot lead heading into the final round but was overtaken early on after playing partner John Parry made back-to-back birdies on the fourth and fifth. Consecutive birdies of his own at the sixth and seventh saw Kruyswijk reclaim the lead, making further gains at the tenth and 16th on his way to securing a two-shot win.

"It's special," he said. "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. I'm happy that I can keep the trophy on African soil and obviously bring it back to South Africa. It makes me very proud."

Of the six past champions since the event joined the DP World Tour, five are in the field this week. Guido Migliozzi and Justin Harding both have fond memories at Karen, having won the title in 2019 and 2021 respectively, with Jorge Campillo (2023) and Darius van Driel (2024) joining Kruyswijk as past winners in the field.

The home hopes

Opportunity beckons for the local stars carrying the hopes of a nation for a first homegrown winner in the event's history.

The Kibugu brothers, Njoroge and Mutahi, have become stars in their homeland in recent years in part through the event, making the cut in 2022 and 2023 respectively. Dismas Indiza is a veteran of Kenyan golf and the 57-year-old is set for a remarkable 27th appearance at the event.

A magical week on and off the course

A focus on the next generation will be at the heart, with golf clinics targeted at junior golfers – featuring the involvement of DP World Tour members – taking place on Monday and Tuesday.

There will also be the return of the popular “Beat the Pro” challenge for the second year running. Junior golfers from Kenya will have the chance to test their skills at the par-three seventh during Saturday’s third round

Sustainability is also a key focus, with measures implemented to reduce waste, promote recycling and encourage responsible resource use. Plastic bottles are banned on the course and instead water will be provided in reusable containers.

Beyond the fairways, a fan village full of entertainment, activities and offerings from small businesses will complement the on-course action. There will be something for all to enjoy.

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus (edit>>)

Morikawa prevails on a windy Sunday to win at Pebble Beach.. Final results/prize money

    PGA Tour : AT&T Pebble Beach Tee Times Leaderboard   Results

There were six players who shared the lead on a Sunday when Mother Nature did her best to ensure the Pebble Beach links that were so gettable in calm conditions for 45 holes were going to be a stern test for every shot.

Min Woo Lee T2 65 -21, Sepp Straka T2 68 21, Tommy Fleetwood T4 66 -20 Sam Burns T6 72 -19 and Scott Scheffler T4 63 -20 all had their share.

However in the end it was Collin Morikawa who hadn't won in over 2 years (28 months) who made birdies on 15 and 17, then under the gun a 235yd 4 iron held up into the wind at the 72nd resulting in a 2 putt birdie 4, -5 67 -22 and a 1 stroke win.

His scores 69 68 62 67 and that 62 Saturday when the wind finally showed up in the afternoon made all the difference.

The bigger news was he announced his wife is expecting their 1st child in the spring.

Seven other players filled out the top 10, Bhatia, Hisatsune, Lowry, Echavarria, Knapp, Bridgeman and Matsuyama.

Rory defending his title finished 18th 64 72 70 66 -17

Morikawa wins a whopping $3,600,000 and moves to #5 owgr.

Canadians

Nick Taylor T24 65 69 71 69 -14

Mac Hughes T34  66 71 71 68  -12

Taylor Pendrith T34 71 69 69 67 -12

Corey Conners T70  70 75 74 67 -2

Click on my results link above  for full prize money for each player.

**** The field moves to LA for the Genesis Invitational at Riviera, another $20,000,000 signature event

Bryan Angus

Sunday's tee times moved up, Bhatia leads, Canadian scores, 54 hole results

   PGA Tour : AT&T Pebble Beach Tee Times Leaderboard

Weather : As I mentioned yesterday Mother Nature will take a hand in the final result at this years AT&T on the Pebble Beach links. 

Temperature tops at 14*c, wind increases SW 24kph -36kph. Chance of rain 35% increasing to 75% by 4pm, and continuing right through Monday and Tuesday.

As a result the Tour has moved the tee times up an hour, changed to threesomes off split tees #1 and #10. Click on my links above.

Image source,Getty Images

Image caption,

Akshay Bhatia 

Akshay Bhatia leads by 2 shots at -19, his -4 68 fuelled by 6 birdies on the first 7 holes when it was calmer in 30, then held on to his hat in the wind the rest of the way with 2 bogey's 38.

Colin Morikawa T2, has struggled for two years, like all these guys has battled away with his swing and confidence, says he's finally getting comfortable and my was he ever with the round of the day -8 62 -17 total.

Also out in 30, he went on a streak of 5 birdies on his last 6 holes for 32 before the worst of the wind.

Jake Knapp has earned the reputation of a smooth swinger, is also T2 -6 66 -17 along with the Austrian Ryder Cupper Sepp Straka -5 67 -17.

Rory had a triple and a double T39  E72 -9, Scheffler T22 67 -11, Hisatsune shot 74, out of contention at T11 -13, Matsuyama still has a chance T6 -15 after 67, Fleetwood T7 67 -14.

Click on my link above for all scores.

Canadians

Nick Taylor T22 65 69 71 -11

Mac Hughes T45 66 71 71 -8

Taylor Pendrith T47  71 69 69 -7

Corey Conners T75 70 75 74 +3  

Summary

With the stage cleared of the big boys like Rory and Scheffler who don't need another penny, remember this week is a huge $20,000,000 pay day with near $4,000,000 to the winner

Akshay Bhatia was newly married recently, what a wedding present for his bride is 18 windy holes away.

I think any of the guys at -15 like Matsuyama could still win, all bets are off in this weather system, although  it could have been worse as the real heavy rain for the next 3 days isn't forecast until 4pm today.

Next

After missing a year due the the fires in and around LA, they will play another $20,000,000 signature event, the Genesis at the Riviera CC where Swedish star Ludvig Aberg is the defending champion. 

Bryan Angus

Windy Pebble Beach weekend, Fowler contending, Taylor top Canuck..36 hole results

   PGA Tour : AT&T Pebble Beach Tee Times Leaderboard

My good news this morning is I remembered to get a smoochy Valentines Day card !! You ?

Weather

More good news is the heavy rain forecast for the Monterey Peninsula has been pushed back to Monday, however the wind will arrive around noon today at 14kph SW steadily increasing to near 40kph S by the time the leaders are in play Sunday afternoon.

The big names are back in the pack, defending champion Rory T17 68 67 -9 along with Tommy 67 68 -9 both six shots off the lead.

Hideki Matsuyama T10 67 67 -10, Xander Schauffele T10 69 65 -10, Shane Lowry T22 67 69 -8, Scott Scheffler T34 72 66 -6 nine shots adrift.

Leaders will get the worst of the wind as it rises.

Newly married stringbean lefty Akshay Bhatia is a supreme shot maker, moving the ball under control is his game, so far in calm weather T1 65 64 -15, he is well equipped for the wind.

Ryo Hisatsune has played his best golf for the last month, T1 62 67 -15.

Surprise, surprise Rickie Fowler T3 66 64 -14 has not been in my missives since his last good year when he won the 2023 Rocket Mortgage in Detroit, he had just one top 10 in 2024, three in 2025. However he has been T18 his last two outings, he has owgr #75, now 37 years old.

Sam Burns T3 63 67 -14 fill the frame.

Canadians

Nick Taylor T10 65 69 -10

Mac Hughes T27 66 71 -7

Taylor Pendrith T52  71 69 -4

Corey Conners T73  70 75 +1

So the windy weather is what makes links golf a stern test, and while Pebble Beach is not our traditional British links, it does run along the Pacific particularly the back nine and it will not be the pussycat it has been so far this week.

The great golfers like Rory in his storied career, and more recently Scott Scheffler welcome the wind, as it will help separate the men from the boys, not just a putting contest that let's everyone in.

Bryan Angus

Nick Taylor leads Canadians at Pebble Beach..18 hole results

  PGA Tour : AT&T Pebble Beach Tee Times Leaderboard

Former DP World Tour Rookie of the Year, Japan's Ryo Hisatsune is in form with a 2nd place finish at Torrey Pines included, leads the restricted 80 man field at the $20,000,000 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am with an opening -10 62 (PB) on a postcard perfect day of low scoring on the Monterey Peninsula.

Sam Burns and Keegan Bradley are T2 -9 while Chris Gotterup continues his hot streak with 2 wins already this year, in a group T4 -8.

Canadians

Nick Taylor SH T7 -7 65 (past champion)

Mac Hughes SH T11 -6 66

Corey Conners PB T51 -2 70

Taylor Pendrith SH T57 -1 71

Notables (Ryder Cup team)

Matt Fitzpatrick SH T11 -6 66 

Tommy Fleetwood SH T19 -5 67

Rory McIlroy SH T28 -4 68 (defending champion)

Justin Rose SH T39 -3 69

Viktor Hovland PB T51 -2 70

Robert MacIntyre SH T59 -1 70

Ludvig Aberg SH T77 +3 75

also of note Scott Scheffler PB T62 E72