Nyachama enters contention for Uganda Ladies Open golf title

Mercy Nyachama of Kenya shot a four-over 75—best of the round—to tie for the lead with Tanzania’s Neema Olomi (nine-over 80) during Friday’s second round of the Johnnie Walker Uganda Ladies Golf Open at Lugazi Hills Golf and Country Club.

Nyachama, who is chasing her first Uganda Ladies Open title following many failed attempts previously, notched two birdies and 11 pars to get within range of scooping her first title at the challenging par-71 course.

As the round-one leader, Olomi struggled with a 9-over; however, the Kenyan remained relaxed and seized the moment with a composed round that saw her improve her opening-round score by three strokes. Her only blemish was on the par-4 hole 12, which she double-bogeyed and despite an additional four bogies, she is now in contention for the biggest golfing prize in the land.

Martha Babirye chips to the 18th green during the second round. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

“Today’s round was fantastic; I really enjoyed it. I returned +1 on the first nine, which was good because yesterday I played +6. On the back nine, I played +3 and yesterday was +1, so it was a few holes that I messed but I know tomorrow I can do better,” Nyachama said.

“I was just relaxed because I knew I was up there, so I just relaxed, there was no pressure, and that is what helped today. And it is the same approach I’m going to maintain even in the last round because I’m now used to the terrain and getting fitter with each round,” she stated.

Tanzanian Olomi, who won the event in Entebbe in 2018, could not replicate her opening-round heroics that saw her return 73. She registered a triple bogey on the par-3 eighth and a double on the par-4 14, in addition to four other bogies, which saw her surrender her four-stroke lead.

Ugandan Martha Babirye will start the final round of the 54-hole competition in third place, four strokes away, the same strokes she was chasing after the opening round.

“Today I started badly and struggled a lot, and it was a bit hotter compared to yesterday. But the good thing is I’m still in range and I only pray that tomorrow’s weather is a bit cooler because being a hilly course, the heat compounds the challenge.”

“I had a tough day out there, having started badly, but this is a game where fortunes can change any time, so I’m still positive and will continue chasing,” Babirye, a three-time champion in the same event, stated.

In the chase for the championship, there will also be another Kenyan Ashley Awour, who returned 77, which brought her within four strokes of the joint leaders with one round to the finish.

Defending champion Iddy Madina improved by three strokes but remains sixth in the log, 12 strokes away.

Round 2: Top ten

Mercy Nyachama (KEN) 78 75 153

Neema Olomi (TZ) 73 80 153

Ashley Awour (KEN) 80 77 157

Martha Babirye (UG) 77 80 157

Winnie Musuya (UG) 80 84 164

Iddy Madina (TZ) 84 81 165

Meron Kyomugisha (UG) 85 82 167

Lillian Koowe (UG) 82 87 169

Joweria Namanda (UG) 88 84 172

Vicky Erias (TZ) 87 85 172