Moore maintains five stroke lead as the Pros Open enters final stretch

Zambian Dyne Moore maintained a five-stroke lead after the third round of the Johnnie Walker Uganda Open at the Entebbe Club Golf Course on Friday.

Despite struggling on the day and finishing with a 1-over par 72, the Ndola Golf Club pro could be on his way to clinching his first Uganda Open title, after holding on to his lead since the first round.

Despite bogeys on par-4 holes 3 and 14, par-5 seven, and par-3 eight, Zambian remains at the top.

“It has been a fight. I didn’t do my best stuff again so it is what it is. I expected a lot more with my game but it didn’t work well today and I struggled. I will be happy to improve on that,” Moore said.

“I didn’t get good bounces on a few holes but all in all I didn’t feel comfortable on the ball, so I guess the first day helped,”

Kenyan Jastas Madoya maintained second place, five strokes behind the leader having double-bogeyed the par-3 hole eight and five bogeys on holes; 4, 5, 10, 16, and 17.

But he lit up the gallery when he chipped in for eagle from the bunker on the 18th green to ensure he remained within striking distance. Despite trailing by five strokes the Kenyan remains confident that he can still make it.

“I had a bad round with poor approach shots but I have to improve in that area. I hit the fairways but couldn’t get on for two, but I’m still in and I will go for it,” Madoya assured.

But he remains tied for second on one-over 214 over the three rounds with Ugandans Abraham Ainamani and Ronald Rugumayo as well as Zambian Sydney Wemba and Cameroonian Pristhy Fon who all still have a chance to displace Moore.

Jastas Madoya chips from a bunker on hole-8. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Ainamani hit almost as many birdies (six) as bogies (five) on the day but believes he can get better in the final round on Saturday.

“I three putted on three holes but the other challenge was on chipping but I will remain calm because I believe even the leader is not safe and it can go to anyone in the top ten,” Ainamani noted.

Rugumayo who is gunning for his first Uganda Open as a pro had a perfect round but was undone by a double bogey on the par-3s eight and sixteen but a few more birdies than the four he scored in the round could help him to his first title.

He birdied the par-4s holes five and thirteen as well as the par-5, 11 and par-3, 12 to remain as one of the strong contenders.

 Defending champion Dismas Indiza who is tied 12th hopes to crawl back after experiencing mixed fortunes in the third round. Indiza is known for exhibiting his best golf on the last day of such tournaments and you rule him out at your own risk.

“I finished the front-nine with four over and played the back four-under so it wasn’t as good as I expected but I will try to get to the top positions tomorrow,” Indiza, who finished with an eagle on the par-5 hole 18 said.

Ugandan Rodell Gaita grabbed another hole-in-one, the second in two days after Kenyan Erick Ooko’s on Thursday. Using a 7-iron and a Titleist 4 black ball on a humid afternoon, Gaita registered the feat on the par-3 hole 8 to also etch his name in the history of the event.

This was his tenth career ace for the Ugandan who remains 24th going into the last round of the sh150 prize money event.

Leaderboard Top ten

Dayne Moore (ZAM) 64 73 72 209

Jastas Madoya (KEN) 66 76 72 214

Abraham Ainamani (UG) 69 75 70 214

Ronald Rugumayo (UG) 75 69 70 214

Sydney Wemba (ZAM) 72 73 69 214

Pristhy Fon (CAM) 77 70 67 214

Robson Chinhoi (ZIM) 73 72 70 215

Daniel Nduva (KEN) 73 72 70 215

Celestin Nsazuwera (RWA) 70 73 72 215

Mike Kisia (KEN) 70 74 71 215

Phillip Kasozi (UG) 71 73 71 215