'Exactly Why Having Cuts Is So Important' - Kenya Open Player Sends Social Media Wild

Mutahi Kibugu birdied the final hole to make the cut in his home tournament, with social media loving the moment!

Mutahi Kibugu hits a bunker shot
(Image credit: Getty Images)

A lot has been made of cuts in professional tournaments of late, with the PGA Tour recently announcing a host of new designated events that will feature far smaller fields of between 70 and 78 players, as well as the removal of the 36-hole cut.

It's no secret that multiple players have been against these changes, with Ryan Armour telling Golf Digest that "our opinion didn’t matter". It's divided the golfing world, and now, at the Magical Kenya Open, a reason for cuts to stay in place has been posted to Twitter, specifically by home hero, Mutahi Kibugu.

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Iona Stephen, who is currently covering the Magical Kenya Open from Muthaiga Golf Club, posted a fantastic video via her Twitter, which involves Kibugu holing a birdie putt that secured him a spot in the weekend, as he made the cut in Kenya.

Faced with a mid-range birdie putt, Kibugu strikes the putt which never leaves the hole. As it rolls nearer and nearer, the Kenyan runs off to the right of the green before fist pumping to much fanfare from the fans surrounding the 18th green. 

In the tweet, Stephen captions it: "And this is what sport is all about. Mutahi Kibugu birdies the 18th @KenyaOpenGolf and makes his way to the weekend as the home hero. Bloody fantastic. #dpwt #MagicalKenyaOpen."

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There were many impressions and reactions to the video, with professional golfer, Bradley Neil, responding "A lot of things in our beautiful game need to change, but getting rid of cuts isn’t one of them! The proof is here."

Along with Neil, multiple users praised the video and moment, with golf YouTuber, Peter Finch, replying "Love this," whilst Ladies European Tour player, Rosie Davies, stated "Moments that wouldn’t happen with a “cut”…"

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.


Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.


Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x