Golf: Kibirige clings to lead as 26 survive Pearl of Africa cut

Marvin Kibirige held onto his two-stroke lead after the second round, as 26 professional golfers made the cut to partake in the sh20m Pearl of Africa Golf Series kitty at Kitante.

The Namulonge golfer maintained a two-stroke lead ahead of Entebbe’s David Kamulindwa, who climbed from joint-third position after the first round. His one-under 71 in the second round moved him to second place.

Kibirige played level-72, four strokes more than his opening 68, but his four birdies on the day—on the par-5 holes 8 and 13 and the par-4 holes 10 and 18—ensured he remained top after the cut-off round.

Kamulindwa also birdied the par-5 holes 3 and 13, as well as the par-4 hole 16, which helped him move ahead of first-round joint leader Ronald Rugumayo, who slipped to joint-fourth with Deo Akope.

Rugumayo, who produced a bogey-free opening round with a 4-under 68, was undone by four bogeys on holes 6, 7, 12, and 14, along with a triple bogey on the par-5 hole 13 in the second round, slipping five strokes down the leaderboard.

Kamulindwa, who lost the Kabalaza Championship to Rugumayo last week, now hopes to make amends by winning this 72-hole competition.

“Everything is okay despite the tricky dry conditions. You can’t guarantee whether your good shot will be followed by an even better one because of the conditions,” Kamulindwa noted.

“My tee shots were okay, but I couldn’t take advantage of birdie opportunities on the par-5s, but I’m okay. I’m going to correct my putting, which wasn’t as good as in the opening round,” Kamulindwa said.

Musiimenta

“I want to win the tournament because I’m playing well, and I’m one of the best players here, so I should seize the opportunity. I lost in Entebbe last week on the 18th hole, so I’m here to make amends,” Kamulindwa stated.

Lady professional Irene Nakalembe, who is three-over 147 after the opening two rounds, is one of the 26 golfers who made the cut. Thirteen missed the cut.

National team amateur golfer John Musiimenta maintained his lead in this cluster of golfers despite playing 5-over 77 in the second round. He played 12 strokes more than his opening 65 but still leads by seven strokes ahead of Ronny Okoti, who is 5-over after 36 holes.

Ibrahim Ssemakula and Lulet Sunday, tied in third, are chasing nine strokes, while Amon Bwambale is trailing by ten, going into the third round of the World Amateur Golf Ranking event.

From Kitante, the tournament will head to Entebbe in April before the final round of the series at the Lugazi Hills Golf and Country Club in July.