Kagoro takes four-stroke lead in penultimate round of the Uganda Ladies Open

Keisha Wiltshire Kagoro carded a best-of-the-round level-par 72 to take a four-stroke lead as the Johnnie Walker Uganda Ladies Open entered the penultimate round at the Uganda Golf Club course on Friday.

The South African-based Grade 12 student at ESCA School Wanderers, attached to the Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club in South Africa, carded three birdies and three bogeys to take a four-stroke lead ahead of Tanzanian Hawa Wanyeche, who shot 77 just like she managed in the opening round.

Keisha is coming off winning the Botswana Ladies Open and could be on her way to winning her maiden Ugandan Ladies Open title if she can replicate her second-round performance that saw her finish 3-under on the turn despite bogeys on holes 7 and 9.

But birdies on the par-5s 10 and 13 cancelled them out before another bogey on the par-4 14 threatened to derail her. But she held on to finish top, with the last round awaiting on Friday.

“Winning in Botswana definitely gave me more confidence and showed me that I could win this event as well, so I came here with the mentality that if I perform as I did in Botswana, I would give myself a chance to play. So, I focused on the process, my routine, and what I could control and tried to give myself a chance. “It was fun to play with Peace Kabasweka and Martha Babirye; it really inspired me because I know they are past champions, so I went out there and tried to have fun, and I really enjoyed myself out there,” Keisha stated.

Judith Komugisha also produced a 5-over 77 to remain within range of the leader, also four strokes away. One-time winner Kabasweka, who won the event in 2023, is six strokes away, tied with overnight leader and also one-time winner, Tanzanian Neema Olomi.

Round 2: Top ten

Keisha Kagoro (UG) 78 72 150

Hawa Wanyeche (TZ) 77 77 154

Judith Komugisha (UG) 77 77 154

Peace Kabasweka (UG) 78 78 156

Neema Olomi (TZ) 75 81 156

Harsshitha Loganathan (UG) 83 74  157

Ayne Magombe (TZ) 80 77 157

Joan Nampeewo (UG) 81 80 161

Vicky Elias (TZ) 79 83 162