Rai is homing in on another title win in truly magical return

English golfer Aaron Rai will feel right at home as he bids to win the Magical Kenya Open for the second time.

Rai was born in Wolverhampton but his mother Dalvir is from Mombasa and had not returned to her home country for more than 40 years until attending the tournament with her son four years ago.

News of his local connection meant Rai had plenty of support as he won the first of three Challenge Tour titles that season to earn instant promotion to the European Tour and the 26-year-old has since won twice on the main circuit, including last year’s Scottish Open.

“It feels like a home away from home here, my mum was born here and my sister lives here in Karen now,” Rai said.

Reflecting on his threeshot win after a closing 65, Rai added: “It was the first event of the season, I practised well during the off-season and was playing well going into it, which was important.

“But it was key to get off to a good start, I think I was in the top three and close to the lead after the first couple of days and I stayed very calm and patient, and thought very well while I was playing.

“I think on top of that, the support of the people that were there on Saturday and Sunday. I think they found out during the week that my mum was Kenyan and I was a fellow Kenyan. It definitely played a role.

“It meant a huge amount, even looking back on it now four years later. It’s special and probably my fondest memory of any tournament win that I’ve ever had.”

With last year’s event cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, Italy’s Guido Migliozzi returns to defend the title he won in 2019. The Italian achieved a share of second in the Qatar Masters on Sunday.

Scots competing this week are Connor Syme, David Law, Richie Ramsay, Callum Hill, Grant Forrest, David Drysdale, Liam Johnston and Ewen Ferguson.