Nancy Wairimu emerged champion of the Karen Ladies Open 2026 after a thrilling countback victory over Mercy Nyanchama in the tournament’s premier Gross Overall competition, capping a memorable fifth edition of one of Kenya’s leading ladies golf events at Karen Country Club.returned impressive rounds of 74 Gross, but Wairimu claimed top honours after countback in a tense finish that underlined the high quality of competition witnessed throughout the day. Nyanchama settled for runner-up, while junior star Belinda Wanjiru finished third on 77 Gross, ahead of fellow junior Brianna-Simonne Ngecu on 79 Gross. Agnes Nyakio completed the top five with 80 Gross.
The Gross category once again proved the headline contest of the championship, drawing elite performances from established players and exciting junior talent.
Juniors Announce Their Arrival
One of the biggest talking points of the tournament was the outstanding display by the juniors, who showed composure and quality against a strong senior field.
Belinda Wanjiru and Brianna-Simonne Ngecu both secured places among the top four in the Gross standings, a remarkable achievement in one of the country’s most competitive ladies events.
Ashley Muyela added to the junior celebrations after winning the Junior Winner prize with 77 Nett, confirming the bright future of women’s golf in Kenya.
Division A Decided on Countback
The battle in Division A Nett was equally dramatic, with Elizabeth Ng’ethe taking first place after countback from Mercy Wafula, after both players signed for 69 Nett.
Keziah Korir placed third with 71 Nett, while Patricia Ngina and Koki Muia tied on 72 Nett, with Ngina taking fourth on countback.
Kerre Shines in Division B
In Division B, Yvonne Kerre delivered one of the best scores of the day to win with an excellent 67 Nett.
She finished ahead of Irene Kimeu (68 Nett) and Vivian Kosgei (69 Nett), while Nkatha Nkiiri (70 Nett) and Rebecca Mbinya (71 Nett ACB) rounded off the prize winners.
Record Demand for Prestigious Event
The growing stature of the Karen Ladies Open was reflected in the overwhelming response ahead of the event, with 305 entries received for a field limited to 156 players.
The high demand forced one of the lowest handicap cut-offs seen for an Open tournament, initially closing at 21.3 before moving slightly to 22.9 after withdrawals.
Players travelled from clubs across the country including Mombasa, Eldoret, Nyali, Royal Nairobi, Muthaiga, Limuru, Sigona, Vet Lab, Railway, Windsor and many others, highlighting the tournament’s national appeal.
Strong Sponsor Support Powers Event
The success of the tournament was further boosted by strong corporate and partner support. Sponsors recognised during prize giving included Vivo Energy Kenya, Pure Travel, Kilima Camp & Fly ALS, Brookside Dairy, Crown paints, Sandstorm, Nitty Gritty, Nestlé, Johnnie Walker, and a Friend of the Lady Captain.
Among the lead partners, Vivo Energy Kenya reaffirmed its commitment to supporting premium lifestyle and sporting platforms.
Ruth Wangombe, Brand Manager at Vivo Energy Kenya, noted that golf reflects values of precision, performance and consistency-qualities closely aligned with the Shell brand promise of delivering quality fuels and services across Kenya.
A Tournament on the Rise
Karen Country Club Lady Captain Rebecca Juma praised players, sponsors, committee members and staff for helping deliver another successful edition of the tournament despite challenging early weather conditions.
Now in its fifth year, the Karen Ladies Open continues to cement its place as one of the standout events on the national calendar -blending elite competition, growing sponsorship and an important platform for emerging young stars.
With established champions pushed all the way and juniors making bold statements, the 2026 edition may well be remembered as the year the next generation truly arrived.
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