Darius van Driel realised a childhood dream as he captured his maiden DP World Tour title at the Magical Kenya Open presented by absa.
The 34-year-old went wire-to-wire as he carded a four-under-par final round of 67 to win by two strokes at Muthaiga Golf Club, ending a more than six-year wait for another Dutch victory on the DP World Tour.
“I feel great. A dream come true, really. It means a lot. As a kid you dream on the putting green…’this is for a win on the Challenge Tour’ or ‘this is a win on the DP World Tour’. Now it’s finally there, it’s what you always dream of,” said the Dutchman.
"I never thought it would hit this hard. It's a dream come true."
Hear from an emotional Darius Van Driel after claiming his first win on Tour in Nairobi 👏#MKO2024 pic.twitter.com/XH4p5eN9t0
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) February 25, 2024
Van Driel, who regained his playing rights for 2024 at Qualifying School, started the day in a share of the lead with Spaniard Manuel Elvira, with the pair both searching for a maiden victory on Tour.
Both made the turn one under par, but van Driel pulled clear after an eagle at the par five tenth, holing a putt from more than 30 feet to take the outright lead on the day for the first time.
He then bounced back from a bogey on the 11th with a gain at the 12th and he maintained his composure as he carded five consecutive pars and a final birdie on the 18th for a two-stroke victory.
The moment Darius Van Driel secured his first win on Tour 💪#MKO2024 pic.twitter.com/55JafqCuBt
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) February 25, 2024
Manuel’s older brother Nacho carded a five under par final round of 66 to share second place on 12 under with Qualifying School graduate Joe Dean, ranked 2,930th in the world at the start of the week and making just his second start on Tour since earning his playing rights.
Adrian Otaegui carded a six under par 65 to share fourth place with Manuel Elvira and Englishman Matthew Jordan on 11 under par.
Image: Getty Images