Akope leads Ugandan cast in Limuru’s Safari Tour event

Deo Akope brightened his chance of competing in the Magical Kenya Open when he made the cut in the third-last event of this year’s Safari Tour at the Limuru Country Club course on Monday.

The ATX Technologies-sponsored-five-time Ugandan Open Champion returned 148gross over the opening two rounds to remain on course of not only partaking on the sh60m prize money but also on course of competing in the sh4b prize money Magical Kenya Open.

Akope started with an opening-round four-over 76 before playing level-72 in the second round to make the cut in 10th position, six strokes off the leader-Kenyan Erick Ooko who also played level in the second round, for an overall 2-under 142 over the two rounds.

Silver Opio is the other Ugandan who made the cut out of seven that took part in the event after tying in the last cut-off position with Kenya’s Isaiah Otuke, David Wakhu, Dennis Saikwa, Njoroge Kibugu (AM), Robinson Owiti, and Zimbabwe’s Nyasha Muyambo who all returned 152gross.

It is advantage Akope as his nearest rivals in the chase for the two slots for the non-Kenyans that get automatic entry into the Kenya Open, Malawi’s Paul Chidale, Zimbabwe’s Visitor Mapwanya, and Nigeria’s Andrew Odoh all missed the cut; meaning Akope will head to the second last leg at Karen ahead of them in the point standings.

“My driving was on point as usual and my approach shots especially the wedges achieved 99% accuracy but putting let me down. I hit 16 out 18 fairways but had 31 putts; the short putts were a menace,” Akope stated.

“I just want to keep improving by the day and see where that puts me. The event is still open for anyone within 10 shots because of the way that course plays, it can swing anywhere,” Akope noted.

Phillip Kasozi and Vincent Byamukama who were the best placed Ugandans after the first round on Sunday both missed the cut by one and two strokes respectively while Ronald Rugumayo and Abraham Ainamani were five strokes off the cut-off point while Willy Kitata was disqualified after allegedly unceremoniously walking off the course before his round.

Scores by Ugandans

Deo Akope 76 72 148

Silver Opio 77 75 152

Phillip Kasozi 75 78 153

Vincent Byamukama 75 79 155

Ronald Rugumayo 78 79 157

Abraham Ainamani 77 80 157

Willy Kitata 77 DQ

Top five at Limuru

Erick Ooko 70 72 142

Jastus Madoya 71 72 143

Mike Kisia 77 68 145

EdwinMudanyi 72 73 145

Samuel Njoroge 70 75 145

Road to the Kenya open pts standings

before Limuru leg (non-Kenyans)

Robson Chinhoi (ZIM) 241.7

Paul Chidale (MLW) 107.8

Deo Akope (UG) 100

Andrew Odoh (NIG) 94.4

Visitor Mapwanya (ZIM) 88.8