Sun Open 2026 qualifiers spotlight Nigeria’s emerging golf talents

Stakeholders have announced that the Sun Open 2026, which serves as the qualifying tournament for the Qatar 2026 Golf Tournament, will provide a platform to discover and showcase young golfing talents, as over 100 amateur golfers compete for honours. The stakeholders made this known at a news conference in Ibadan ahead of the three-day tournament […]

Stakeholders have announced that the Sun Open 2026, which serves as the qualifying tournament for the Qatar 2026 Golf Tournament, will provide a platform to discover and showcase young golfing talents, as over 100 amateur golfers compete for honours.

The stakeholders made this known at a news conference in Ibadan ahead of the three-day tournament scheduled for January 23 to 25 at the Ibadan Golf Club.

Sponsored by the High-Performance Centre and Sports Leadership Hub (HPCSLH), the Sun Open 2026 is expected to attract amateur golfers from across Nigeria and other parts of Africa. The tournament also doubles as a qualifying event for the 2026 Qatar Open Golf Championship, offering participants a pathway to the global stage.

The director of the High Performance Centre Sports Leadership Hub, Bob Olukoya, who is coordinating Nigeria’s participation in the Sun Open 2026, said winners of the qualifiers would earn the opportunity to showcase their skills internationally.

Mr Olukoya said the competition is designed to discover young golfers, noting that a 17-year-old girl who competed at the tournament in Qatar in 2025 is currently studying in the United States on a golf scholarship.

He disclosed that more than 100 golfers from Nigeria and other African countries have registered for the tournament, with four finalists set to represent Nigeria in April at the Doha Golf Club in Qatar.

“We want to show the world that we have golfers who can compete with others. We are excited to host this year’s qualifiers at the prestigious Ibadan Golf Club.

“The last one was in Port Harcourt at Python Golf Club, and the winner of the qualifier will represent Nigeria at the Qatar Open Golf Championship on April 2 to April 4, 2026, at the Doha Golf Club in Qatar.

Mr Olukoya explained that the qualifiers would be played across men’s, ladies’, and junior categories over three days, with January 22 designated as a practice day for golfers arriving from outside Ibadan, other states, or other countries.

Also speaking, the captain of the Ibadan Golf Club, Seyi Alaba, said hosting the qualifiers would boost the state’s economy, particularly in the sports and hospitality sectors, as golfers and dignitaries from within and outside the country are expected to attend.

He added that the club’s management had put adequate measures in place to ensure a smooth competition and the welfare of all participants.

“We have hosted numerous events to promote golf, raise awareness of its benefits, and develop young talent. I believe this qualifying competition will complement our efforts,” the IGC captain said.

Similarly, the chairman of the Oyo State Golf Association, Moses Ojo, commended the organisers for bringing the qualifiers to Ibadan, describing the tournament as beneficial to the state’s golfing community.

“We have been working for the past few weeks to ensure our course is ready, and as of today, it is,” he said.