Casey Jarvis earned a first DP World Tour title of his career with a three-shot victory at the Magical Kenya Open.
The 22-year-old South African, who came into the event placed 195th on the Official World Golf Rankings, was involved in a tight contest that was affected by stormy conditions at Karen Country Club in Nairobi. He entered the final day as co-leader and posted three birdies in the opening four holes for a solid start. By the turn, he was a shot ahead of compatriot Hennie Du Plessis and that lead was extended with an eagle at the 12th before the dangerous weather caused play to be suspended.
Once play resumed, playing partner Davis Bryant threatened to charge as Jarvis stumbled with a bogey at the 15th and Bryant birdied the 16th but the second weather delay stalled his momentum. When play resumed over two hours after, Jarvis regained his composure going on to card an 8-under 62 which featured a sublime birdie-eagle finish to end on a tournament record score of 25 under and land his first DP World Tour win.
“It’s amazing, I’ve actually never won in front of my dad before, I’ve wanted to win in front of him so badly, and to finally do it when he’s here, I can’t explain to you the emotions,” said Jarvis.
“I was so nervous coming down the last two, so yeah, it feels great. There’s not many words that can describe the feeling, I also wish my mum was here but she’s back home in the UK.
“It’s unbelievable, he’s been with me through the ups, through the downs. I know this moment doesn’t happen often, so we’re going to celebrate it properly tonight.”
Du Plessis carded a final-round 65 to finish in third on 21 under, while Italy’s Francesco Laporta and Denmark’s Jacob Skov Olesen both also carded 65s to finish in fourth and fifth respectively.
What is the next event?
The next event on the DP World Tour schedule is the Investec South African Open Championship taking place between February 26 – March 1 at Stellenbosch GC in South Africa.