Rugumayo takes two-stroke lead in the Uganda Professionals Golf Open

Ugandan professional golfer Ronald Rugumayo shot an opening round four-under 67 to take a two-stroke lead as the Johnnie Walker Uganda Open Golf Professional’s Championship got underway at the Lugazi Hills Golf and Country Club on Wednesday.

The MTN and Johnnie Walker-sponsored golfer notched 7 birdies and 8 pars in the opening round to take a two-stroke lead ahead of Kenyans Dismas Indiza and Mohit Mediratta who carded three-under 69 each.

“I went out there to enjoy myself, besides that, I had a game plan which I stuck to, and I’m happy it paid off,” Rugumayo said.

Rugumayo started very well with a birdie on the par-4 hole one before a par on hole-2 and before another birdie on the par-3 hole 3. But back-to-back bogies on the par-4s holes 4 and 5 threatened his momentum as the heavens opened up, but he managed to finish the front nine with one under.

“It could have been better, but at the end of the day, it is golf, and today is gone, and I look forward to tomorrow. I like the way I’m swinging and the way I made the decisions out there. I have to maintain the same momentum, enjoy myself, and the rest will fall in.”

He said he was ready to face all the challenges of the course and hopes to stay calm and face them head-on by sticking to his game plan and giving every shot his best.

“I have done everything it takes to be here in terms of preparation for this championship so I expect to put up a great performance,” Rugumayo stated.

Three-time winner Indiza praised the wonderful layout of the course which demands fitness.

“I played this course once last week as I headed to Kigali and I told my friends that they should come and check it out. It is a fantastic course that works out your whole body, you even have to clim on most greens and if I were to play from here more regularly, like for a year, no one can beat me after that.”  Indiza stated.

Indiza managed five birdies with three of them on the par-4s holes 1, 13 and 18 and on the par-5 16 and the par-3 17 to remain within two strokes of the leader. His compatriot Mediratta  managed four birdies but hid card was stained by two bogies on the par-3 and par-5 holes 9 and 11 but also remains two strokes off the leading score.

Uganda national junior team amateur player Anthony Otukei who is competing in the championship alongside others who made the top ten in the amateurs competition last week played 1-under 70 to finish the opening round in third place tied with Kenyan pro Greg Sno.

Six golfers including three Ugandans: Abraham Ainamani, Rodell Gaita, and Joshua Seale all returned level-par 71 alongside Kenyan Daniel Nduva, Nigerian Andrew Odoh and two-time champion Robson Chinhoi from Zimbabwe.

Round 1: Top ten

Ronald Rugumayo (UG) 67

Dismas Indiza (KEN) 69

Mohit Mediratta (KEN) 69

Anthony Otukei (Amateur) 70

Greg Snow (KEN) 70

Abraham Ainamani (UG) 71

Rodell Gaita (UG) 71

Daniel Nduva (KEN) 71

Andrew Odoh (NIG) 71

Joshua Seale (UG) 71

Robson Chinhoi (ZIM) 71