TZ golfers in seeding battle as Sterling Invitational 2026 opens at Kili Golf

ARUSHA, Friday 

Tanzania’s Madina Hussein and Kenya’s Kanana Muthomi emerged as joint early leaders after the opening round of the Sterling Invitational 2026 at Kilimanjaro Wildlife Golf Club.

Both carded 3-over-par 75s to top the leaderboard after the first of three rounds in the 54-hole championship, setting up a closely contested battle for the title and valuable national-team seeding points.

The opening round left the competition wide open, with only four shots separating the leaders from fifth place.

Defending champion Ashley Awuor of Kenya is one stroke behind on 76 (+4), while compatriot Mercy Nyanchama is another shot back on 77 (+5).

Rwanda’s Sylivie Irakoze and Kenyan Bianca Ngecu share fifth place on 80 (+8), with Tanzania’s Neema Olomi seventh on 82 (+10).

Brianna Ngecu is eighth on 83 (+11), followed by fellow Kenyan Chloe Cherono and Rwanda’s Aurelie Batamriza, who are tied for ninth on 84 (+12).

Tanzania’s Hawa Wanyeche carded 85 (+13), while Kenya’s Maryam Mwakitawa and Tanzania’s Loveness Mungure are tied on 86 (+14).

Kenya’s Doris Mediva and Tanzania’s Aalaa Somji are both on 87 (+15), while Nancy Wairimu follows on 88 (+16). Fellow Kenyan Aisha Duba rounds out the field on 94 (+22).

Hussein said the competition was already proving demanding but praised the condition of the Kili course.

She added that the tournament will expand from the second day, with 36 female golfers from Kenya, Rwanda and Burundi, alongside 27 senior players, expected to join the competition.

Beyond the title race, Hussein said the tournament is designed to strengthen Tanzania’s golfing pipeline and give local players opportunities to improve their national-team seeding.

As one of the organisers, she said the event aims to develop emerging talent while providing established players with a competitive platform to improve their rankings and readiness for international competition.

With 36 holes remaining, consistency, course management and composure will be crucial.