Madina Survives Cut at Karen Challenge

By Staff Writer 

Tanzanian golfer Madina Iddi survived the cut at the 2026 NCBA Karen Challenge in Nairobi, securing a place in Sunday’s final round after 36 holes.

The tournament, featuring 150 golfers from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, India and Austria, was reduced to 33 players plus ties after the second round.

Madina, who opened the championship with a five-over-par 77 on Friday to sit tied for 20th, carded an eight-over-par 80 in the second round at Karen Country Club course in Nairobi today.

Her two-round total of 157 (+13) placed her tied for 33rd, exactly on the cut line, securing her a place in Sunday’s (August 9) final round of the 54-hole championship.

The result keeps Tanzania represented in the closing stage of the tournament, with Madina set to battle against some of the region’s leading golfers over the final 18 holes.

Speaking to Royal Golf, Madina thanked God for helping her progress despite the difficult conditions.

“It was very challenging today. The greens were different, and I struggled to hold the ball on them. It was difficult to create enough chances to make it into the final day, but I thank God for the progress I have made.”

Meanwhile, fellow Tanzanian Enosh Wanyeche saw his campaign come to an end despite making an encouraging start.

Wanyeche carded a two-over-par 74 in Friday’s opening round to finish tied for 10th, eight shots behind home favourite Adel Taufiq Balala, who fired an impressive six-under-par 66 to take the early lead.

However, Wanyeche was unable to maintain his momentum in the second round, returning 86 gross to finish with a 160 (+16) total, three shots outside the cut line.

The second round also saw John Kamaisi take the outright lead at one-under-par 143, while overnight leader Balala remained firmly in contention at 145 (+1) heading into the final round.

For Wanyeche, the second round was a frustrating conclusion to what had begun as a promising campaign.

“It was just a bad day for me. The weather was very cold, especially with the afternoon tee time, and nothing seemed to go my way. I tried to fight through it, but it was not my day.”

Despite the disappointment, Wanyeche remained positive and immediately turned his attention to improving his game ahead of his next competitions.

The determined golfer said he will return home and dedicate more time to practice as he looks to learn from his experience in Kenya.

“I will go back home and invest more time in practice. I know what I need to work on, and I will prepare myself better for the next outings.”