Darius van Driel clinched his inaugural DP World Tour victory in dominant fashion, maintaining his lead from start to finish at the Magical Kenya Open presented by Absa.
Van Driel’s commanding performance saw him secure the title with a closing round of 67, adding to his impressive opening round of 66. Throughout the tournament, the Dutchman displayed remarkable consistency, with just four bogeys over the course of the week, ultimately finishing at 14 under par. His stellar performance propelled him to a two-shot victory over England’s Joe Dean and Spaniard Nacho Elvira.
Dean, who only recently transitioned from being a delivery driver to a professional golfer, had a chance to apply pressure on Van Driel with a potential eagle on the final hole. However, he settled for a birdie, while Van Driel’s adept chip on the last sealed his comfortable win.
The competition at Muthaiga Golf Club remained tight, with a four-way tie for the lead midway through the round. Van Driel’s pivotal moment came with an eagle at the tenth hole, allowing him to break away from the pack and assert his dominance.
Van Driel’s journey to victory has been characterized by resilience and determination. Despite setbacks, including a hiatus from the sport due to injury, he persevered and eventually turned professional in 2015. Since then, he has steadily climbed the ranks, culminating in his long-awaited DP World Tour triumph.
With this win, Van Driel ascends to sixth place on the Race to Dubai Rankings and eighth on the International Swing, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Meanwhile, Nacho Elvira’s younger brother Manuel made an early charge, but ultimately finished in a tie for fourth place. The field remained competitive until the end, with several players vying for a top position on the leaderboard.
In the end, Van Driel’s composure under pressure and consistent performance throughout the tournament secured his well-deserved victory, marking a historic moment for Dutch golf on the DP World Tour.
Source: World Tour Media
