Kamulindwa surges to lead after stunning second round at MTN Pro Tee Series

Professional golfer David Kamulindwa was at his best on day two of the inaugural MTN Pro Tee Series golf tournament at Entebbe Golf Club, carding a superb 5-under 66 gross on the par-71 course.

The performance marked a significant recovery from day one, when he finished 1-over par. With a total of 138 gross, Kamulindwa currently leads the 15 players who have made the cut for the sh15 million prize kitty, courtesy of sponsor MTN.

Vincent Byamukama, who started with a 2-under on day one, registered a 1-under score on day two and sits in second place with 139 gross. He is followed by Rodell Gaita (141), Andrew Sekibejja and Abraham Ainamani (142), and Marvin Kibirige (143), despite the latter having led after day one. Grace Kasango tied with Bulhan Matovu at 144, among others who made the cut.

Kibirige, who opened strongly with a 3-under on the par-71 course on Tuesday, slipped on day two but still managed to make the cut. The tournament attracted 35 professional golfers, with the cut set at 5-over 147 over the opening 36 holes.

The inaugural quarterly MTN Pro Tee Series will run alongside the ongoing amateur monthly events, which have been held for the past three years.

Irene Nakalembe was the only female golfer to make the cut on day two.

The new tournament on the Uganda Professional Golf Association (UPGA) calendar comes as a major boost following the launch of the MTN Pro Tee Series, a quarterly competition aimed at increasing competition and raising standards among Ugandan professionals.

The series further enhances the three-year partnership between MTN Uganda and Entebbe Golf Club. MTN has been sponsoring the monthly MTN Tee tournament for amateur golfers at the club over the past three years.

Entebbe Golf Club captain Serwano Walusimbi said at the launch that the other MTN Pro Series events will be held in September and December.

"Amateurs play for awards while professionals compete for prize money. The June event will have a sh15 million prize kitty, followed by sh20 million in September and sh30 million in December," said Walusimbi.

UPGA chairman Davis Kato, who carded 76 gross on both days, thanked MTN Uganda and Entebbe Golf Club for introducing the tournament.

"We previously had only four competitions a year. This sponsorship will increase playing opportunities, improve standards, and better prepare us for the Uganda Open and other international events," said Kato.

At the launch, MTN Enterprise Segment Manager Justine Ziraba said the company remains committed to developing professional golf in Uganda under the theme 'Free Your Swing'.