Cwinyaai takes over leadership as Uganda Amateur Open Championship rages

Uganda’s Joseph Cwinyaai shot a second-round two-over 73 to take over the lead as the Johnnie Walker Uganda Amateurs Open raged on at Entebbe Club on Thursday.

Despite taking a one-stroke lead ahead of Joseph Reagan Akena, Cwinyaai believes it should have been even better by his standards, but for the tough course conditions.

Just like in the opening round, Cwinyaai started well with four consecutive pars before two consecutive bogeys on holes 5 and 6 interrupted his rhythm. But an eagle on the par-5 hole-7 brought him back, which he followed with a birdie on the par-3 hole-8 to complete the first-nine level.

Joseph Akena tees off during the second round of the Uganda Amateurs Open at the Entebbe Club course. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

But bogeys on holes 12, 15, 16, and 17 soiled his card to his disappointment.

“In the end, these are bad scores because according to the way I had started, I was two-under through hole 12 and the next four holes are much easier and I would only be planning for holes 16 and 17; but according to the way the field is, I will take the 73 because I’m still lying in contention,” Cwinyaai said.

“The conditions are hard and call for accuracy, so you have to be precise from the fairway to the green. So it is not yet going according to plan because I wanted a 68 in the opening round but got 72 because my regulation book was bad, I only had about 7 out of 18 which was below expectations, so the plan is to continue improving on that,” Cwinyaai who was third after the first round stated.

Akena who was fourth going into the second round, replicated his first-round score (73) to move to second.

Godfrey Nsubuga reacts to his putt. He improved by ten strokes in round two. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

“I have tried my best, I was one-over on the front-nine so I had to continue fighting to better my scores on the back but most importantly I wanted to have fun which I did,” Akena said.

“I believe I have worked hard to be where I am and I’m still confident that I can do better though there are some small things like chipping which I have to improve on because it is what has let me down today,”

Day-one leader Kenya’s Adel Balala struggled in the second round and finished with 11-over 82 while defending champion Godfrey Nsubuga who struggled in the opening round improved by ten strokes (25 positions) but remains 9 strokes off the leader going into the third round.

“I might have put myself out of the picture because the competition here is tough. I made silly mistakes with my tee shots and my putting wasn’t on today and yet these are my strong points. But also mentally I failed to calm myself, my decisions became worse and worse as I approached the finish,” Balala noted.

“A good round three is what can only help me get back because Cwinyaai is a solid guy. But I will be in the pressure group,” Balalaa stated.

Ibrahim Ssemakula and Elton Thembo produced the best score in the round after they each returned to level 71. They opened with 78 and 82 respectively.

Meanwhile, the Pinnacle Security team won the sponsors’ par-3 challenge, a competition organized for the sponsors and co-sponsors who are not actively engaged in the sport. It is organized for them to have a feel of the game and also learn some basics.

Pinnacle Security’s Giel Pretorius and Ian Parker carded 26 gross over four holes to win the event on Tuesday. Noah Waibi, Isaac Kisembo, and Desire Derekeford for NBS finished second with 28 while the Absa-2 team comprised of Titus Bakabulindi, Annette Kiconco, and Pamela Turyatunga were third with 29.

Round 2: Top ten

Joseph Cwinyaai (UG) 72 73 145

Joseph R. Akena (UG) 73 73 146

Abdu Kakeeto (UG) 70 78 148

Michael Tumusiime (UG) 74 74 148

Ibrahim Ssemakula (UG) 78 71 149

Samuel Bazaale (UG) 73 76 149

Titus Okwong (UG) 73 77 150

Abdallah Kakooza (UG) 74 77 151

Adel Balala (KEN) 69 82 151

John Musiimenta (UG) 75 77 152