Magical Kenya Open presented by absa - Day one digest

Everything you need to know from round one at Muthaiga Golf Club.

We were treated to some extraordinary eagles and there was a tie at the top of the leaderboard on day one of the 2025 Magical Kenya Open presented by absa.

Here is everything you need to know from round one at Muthaiga Golf Club.

Parry continues fine form in Africa

Englishman John Parry made a blistering start to the 2025 season in Africa, finishing in a tie for second at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in December before winning the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open a week later to top the Opening Swing standings and head into Christmas on a high. And he rediscovered his very best form on his return to the continent, carding eight birdies and no bogeys on Thursday morning to lead the way alongside Benjamin Hebert on eight under par. Hebert notched an eagle and six birdies in his sparkling 63, with the highlight of his round a magnificent approach shot into the sixth which set up a close-range birdie.

Pepperell's amazing ace

Parry's countryman Eddie Pepperell made a spectacular hole-in-one at the tricky par-three 11th, holing his tee-shot from 218 yards with a seven iron. Take a bow, Eddie.

Past champion lands eagle

Ashun Wu, who won this event in 2022, put on a show at the par-five fourth hole, finding the green with his second shot before rolling in his enormous eagle putt for a three. Check this out...

No putter required for Rutherford

Sticking with the fourth hole, Jamie Rutherford found himself in the bunker guarding the green after two shots. Rather than settling for getting up and down for a birdie, though, he went straight at the flag with his bunker shot and holed it for a bonus eagle.

Li goes his own way

Playing his second shot from among the trees at the 12th, Haotong Li opted to go for the green rather than playing safe - as his caddie had wished. But Li's gamble paid off as he produced a remarkable shot to set up an outside birdie chance. And a jubilant Li told his caddie: "Luckily I didn't listen to you, eh?".

'How on earth did that not go in?'

That was the question on everyone's lips as Joost Luiten's approach at the ninth somehow evaded the hole to deny him an eagle. So close...