Lejirma edges Manji in sudden-death thriller to win Corporate Masters title

Kenyan golfing sensation John Lejirma emerged victorious after a tense, cutthroat battle with compatriot Ayaz Manji, sealing his win on the second sudden-death playoff hole at the conclusion of the inaugural Corporate Masters Invitational Golf Tournament at Thika Greens Golf Resort.

The two had gone head-to-head for much of the final day, ultimately finishing regulation play tied at a thrilling nine-under-par (-9) before the dramatic playoff unfolded.

As the inaugural tournament drew to a triumphant close on Sunday it capped three days of high-octane competition.

The championship delivered on its promise of elevating regional amateur golf, attracting top-tier players from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Russia.

A total prize fund of Ksh.1 million which was up for grabs was ultimately shared among the 36 golfers who advanced past the cut.

This year’s finale produced a nail-biting finish that kept spectators on edge, with Lejirma clinching the coveted title after edging out Manji.

“Thank you to the organisers for putting up such a great tournament. Shooting -9 felt amazing. I came in confident and I’m grateful for the win,” Lejirma said.

According to Corporate Masters Director of Marketing, Martin Kinyua, the success of the inaugural event exceeded expectations and demonstrated the region’s appetite for competitive amateur golf.

He noted that the strong turnout and high level of play had set a solid foundation for future editions.

“With the right partnerships, the Corporate Masters brand can only grow. We are excited about hosting an even bigger tournament in the new year,” he said.

Thika Greens Golf Resort, the host venue, highlighted the broader impact of such sporting events, particularly on local tourism and business.

CEO Charles Kibiru, flanked by club members, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the tournament’s long-term growth.

“The success of the Corporate Masters Invitational proves that Kenya has the capacity to host world-class golf events,” Kibiru emphasised.

He said Kenya should harness its golf tourism potential to attract more attention from overseas and regional.

“Our aim is to leverage tournaments like this not only to nurture sporting talent but also to strengthen golf tourism as a key revenue driver just as countries like South Africa have done. We call on corporate brands to rally behind these initiatives. Supporting this tournament is supporting both local talent and the national economy,” said Kibiru.

Beyond the fairways, the three-day event doubled as a family festival, offering a slate of entertainment and leisure activities that kept spectators engaged throughout.

The leaderboard featured a strong field of performers, with Elvis Maigua, Uganda’s Joseph Akena, Ebill Omollo, Kevin Mwaura, Chris Andrea, Daniel Kiragu, Shashwat Jarish and Wasim Ali completing the top 10.

Kinyua said Corporate Masters is looking forward to hosting an even bigger and better event in the coming days.

“The first-ever Corporate Masters Invitational has set a high standard, a clear signal of the rise of a new flagship event in East Africa’s amateur golf calendar,” said the official.