South Africa's Seale wins Uganda Pros Open
Sep 05, 2016
Uganda's best placed player was Saidi Mawa who was two strokes off
South Africa's Joshua Seale saved the best for last returning three-under-par 69 to win the Tusker Malt Lager Uganda Open Professionals golf tournament at Kitante on Saturday.
The 26 year old Sunshine Tour player hit five birdies and two bogeys in the final round to edge out defending champion, Zambian Madalisto Muthiya by four strokes (-2 overall).
Seale took advantage and stepped up when Muthiya bogeyed the 15th hole having been one-up at that stage,
"I started the day trailing by one shot but when he bogeyed No.15 where I picked a birdie with three holes to go, it then sank in that I could actually win. I composed myself and did what I was supposed to do," Seale noted.
"I don't think I played to my best especially in the third round where I almost blew it up, but I'm happy with the outcome and I will be back next year to defend it," an excited Seale who picked a cheque of sh24m said.
Apart from the cash, Seale will enjoy an all-expense paid trip to Abu Dhabi courtesy of Etihad Airways.
The trip comes complete with three-night's complimentary accommodation and a memorable experience of playing at one of city's championship-standard golf courses.
Kenya's Kopan Timbe who played while mourning his father who passed away on Tuesday, finished joint third with another Kenyan Stefan Andersen on 291 gross, over the four rounds.
Day one leader Simon Ngige also stepped up in the final round finishing 5th overall and picking a sh5.5m.
Uganda's best placed player was Saidi Mawa who was two strokes off, and joint third with Stefan Andersen going into the last round, but shot a closing round three-over par-75 to finish joint sixth with Kenya's David Odhiambo on 293 gross.
Other Ugandans, Phillip Kasozi and Denis Anguyo finished among the top ten with the former tying with four-time winner Dismas Indiza in 8th while the later was joint tenth with John Wangai.
Gideon Kagyenzi fresh from the amateur ranks and playing in his first Uganda Open finished joint 13th with Silver Opio, Fred Wanzala and Vincent Byamukama, while Deo Akope and Herman Mutaawe finished joint 17th.
No golfer managed to sink a hole-in-one shot to claim the brand new sh202m Chevrolet Trailblazer.
Final leaderboard (Top ten & ties)
Joshua Seale (SA) 72; 72; 73; 69 286
Madalisto Muthiya (ZAM) 73; 70; 73; 72 290
Kopan Timbe (Kenya) 73; 72; 71; 75 291
Stefan Andersen (Kenya) 75; 66; 77; 73 291
Simon Ngige (Kenya) 66; 78; 78; 70 292
David Odhiambo (Kenya) 72; 76; 71; 74 293
Saidi Mawa (Uganda) 70; 72; 76; 75 293
Phillip Kasozi (Uganda) 76; 70; 70; 76 296
C.J Wangai (Kenya) 75; 73; 79; 71 298
Denis Anguyo (Uganda) 76; 76; 74; 72 298
Ernest Ndayisenga (RWA) 72; 73; 78; 75 298