South African Jacques Kruyswijk found comfort in using talcum powder to fight the heat and capture the Magical Kenyan Open in Nairobi.
The 32-year-old Kruyswijk headed into the final round one clear and posting a closing 67 for a two-shot victory at 18-under on the host Muthaiga course.
Victory is Kruyswijk’s 12th pro career title but a first on the DP World Tour, earning him a virtual three-year exemption till the end of the 2027 season.
Jacques KRUYSWIJK captures 2025 Magical Kenya Open. Image DPWT
Kruyswijk denied England’s John Parry what would have been a seccond Tour in just six events in signing for a second straight bogey-free round after posting a ‘moving day’ 64 and then a closins round four-under 67.
There was wonderfull scenes on the final green seconds after Kruyswijk holed a tap-in par putt with close friends greeting the new champion with mixture of champers and soft drinks.
“This win is special”, he said.
“I am a little bit lost for words though this is for my family back home, my friends, my team and this win is for South Africa.
“I am African so it means I can keep this trophy on African soil and obviously bring it back to South Africa. It makes me very proud.
New Magical Kenyan Open champ Jacques Kruyswijk using talcum powder to try his hands during the final round. Image SKY
“I’m super proud of myself with the mindset I’ve had this week and the way I’ve played this golf course. What can I say? I’m happy.
“The Investec South African Open Championship is special for all of us South Africans and I’m super excited to be there next week as a winner. I’m pumped to get home.”
“The support has been unbelievable. The people here have been fantastic. You can see them supporting me, they’ve been out here in their numbers today so I can’t be thankful enough.
“I’ll thank them properly a little bit later but it’s been awesome.”
And in something we have not seen before, well not in all my years in reporting on golf, was Kruyswijk periodically using talcum powder to try his sweaty and non-gloved right hand before some of his late round shots. It’s quite legal and it worked for the Spingbok golfer, while it may also lead to a trend playing golf in the very hot conditions as players experienced in the Naiobian capital.
Kruyswijk had joined the European Tour in 2017 after finishing tied second among the 2017 European Tour Qualifying School graduates, and teed-up this week in Nairobi in his 139th DPWT tournament.
Well done, Jacques.
