The Italians have taken a liking to it and this year no less than five of them have arrived to compete in the now internationally relaunched Magical Kenya Open, the benchmark golf tournament in sub-Saharan Africa that from 2019 has been included in the circuit of the world's most important championship.
Right at its first international appearance, it was the Italian Guido Migliozzi who won the tournament that has been held since 1967 between Muthaiga Golf Club and Karen Country Club.
After a year of lockout due to the pandemic, the last edition was won instead by South African Justin Harding.
The Kenyan Open opened yesterday and together with Migliozzi there are also Renato Paratore, Nino Bertasio, Lorenzo Gagli and Francesco Laporta.
For all of them the goal is to find a relevant result that will elevate the first part of 2022: Migliozzi has always been in the shade, and even the others have failed to make their mark.
The South African Harding always seems to be the man to beat, even if he risks not being included in the top 100 golfers of this year, but there are no champions, given the concomitance of other international tournaments, particularly one in Florida (Arnold Palmer Invitational) and one in Puertorico.
Among the other favorites the Belgian Thomas Detry, at least three Spaniards (especially Adri Arnaus), the Polish Adrian Meronk. Very few of the top 100 of the world ranking are present: the South Africans Dean Burmester and Daniel Van Tonder, the mentioned Arnaus are part of this very small circle. There are also several local sparring partners, many emerging youngsters for a sport that is increasingly conquering Kenyans and that here is less expensive to practice than other sports.