The DP World Tour returned to action in Kenya after a week’s break for the start of a three-week Africa swing. Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi the host for this year’s Magical Kenya Open presented by Absa.

An event that was first played in 1967, it has a long Challenge Tour history having been on their schedule since 1991. This is now the fourth edition of Kenya’s national open staged as a DP World Tour event since joining their schedule in 2019.

South African Dylan Mostert who recently won on the Challenge Tour just less than two weeks ago set the clubhouse lead early opening up with a 64. The left-hander won the Nelson Mandela Bay Championship at Humewood Golf Club in Port Elizabeth in his home country, still riding the wave of good form in Kenya.

American John Catlin has three DP World Tour victories to his name already. The 32-year-old more comfortable in this kind of territory on the leaderboard. He did most of the hard work on his opening nine holes after starting on the 10th. Two birdies to start the day was followed up by birdies on 15 and 16 with and an eagle on the 18th to sign off his opening nine in 29 shots.

Just one solitary birdie on the par four sixth for Catlin as he joined Mostert at the top of the leaderboard after day one.

Dutchman Will Bessling would’ve been the solo leader had he not double bogeyed the 15th hole. He is one shot back at six under par alongside Frenchman Pierre Pineau after his bogey free 65.

Rafa Cabrera Bello shot a four under 67, while leading the charge from the home contingent was Mutahi Kibugu after his three under par 68 for the Kenyan.