By Douglas Mazune

With the half-way mark indicating a close contest, the final round of the Tusker Malt Uganda Golf Open today will certainly produce a tense photo finish.

Come rain or shine, many ardent golf enthusiasts might want to reach out for their umbrellas and hit the par-72 Uganda Golf Club course at Kitante to watch top contenders battle for the prestigious title.

The opening round produced four-way tie involving Michael Benjamin, Henry Kabuye, Phillip Kasozi and Happy Robert with 70.

Kasozi broke away on the second day to seize a solo lead but was just one stroke clear at 141.

Robert, Adof Muhumuza and Willy Kitatta were breathing down Kasozi's neck just one shot adrift.

Friday's third round was most unlikely to dilute this tight contest owing to the fact that Kitatta who had a mediocre opening round had found rhythm.

With home players Morris Ntege, Gideon Kagyenzi and veteran John Waigo keeping tabs on the pack ahead, the level of competitiveness could instead increase on the last day.

Defending champion Rogers Byaruhanga of Uganda appeared to have loosened grip on the title when he slipped 12 strokes off the pace after the second round.

Being one who sometimes turns in stunning scores, it would be a safe bet to refrain from ruling him out of the contest completely.

The sh20m professional event was even closer with Uganda's Deo Akope hanging with just a single stroke ahead of Kenya Dismas Indiza in the first and second rounds.

A host of other competitors still had an eye on the top cash prize. The subsidiary event got underway on Friday and will also end today.

The annual Uganda Open will close with the usual grand prize-giving ceremony courtesy of sponsors Tusker Malt, Sam Sung and Uganda