By Douglas Mazune

National strokeplay leader board (top 6)
V. Byamukama 53 points
P. Ssendawula 35.5
B. Mwesigwa 33.5
E. Onito 32
F. Mugisa 30
S. Opio 30

NATIONAL champion Vincent Byamukama is confident of sealing the 2009 Uganda Golf Union (UGU) stroke-play championship at the Kinyara Open this weekend.

The runner-away leader with 53 points, a massive 17.5 clear of second placed Peter Ssendawula, needs to finish sixth to capture his third consecutive crown with two events — Venus Tooro Open and Western Nile Open to spare.

But Ssendawula, who beat Byamukama to the prestigious Uganda Open title in August, has not given up the title chase.

In a bid to stretch the contest down to the wire, Ssendawula travelled with Byamukama to Kinyara yesterday.

“I want to wrap up the title with a win and I will do my best to achieve it,” Byamukama remarked.

“I will still compete in the other tournaments.

It’s been a great year of exciting tournaments. I don’t think anybody can stop me at this point.

“I like competition so I am happy that Ssendawula, Ian Odokonyero and Denis Guma are in the tournament,” Byamukama added.

The two-day tournament sponsored by Kinyara Sugar is expected to attract over 60 golfers.