Rugumayo three strokes up as UGC Ladies Open rages on
Rugumayo notched six birdies and an eagle on the par-5 hole 13 to move four strokes ahead of overnight leader Rodell Gaita.
Rugumayo is four strokes ahead after the second round. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
Ronald Rugumayo carded a second-round 5-under 67 to take a four-stroke lead as the Uganda Golf Club (UGC) Ladies Open raged on at Kitante on Wednesday.
Rugumayo notched six birdies and an eagle on the par-5 hole 13 to move four strokes ahead of overnight leader Rodell Gaita.
Rugumayo, who was beaten to the Absa Chairman's Bell Professionals' Golf Tournament title on the same course by Grace Kasango ten days ago, started strong with four birdies in the first five holes before adding another on the par-5 hole 8 to finish the front nine 4-under par.
An eagle on the 13th cancelled out his two bogeys on holes 6 and 12 before another bogey on the par-4 15 interrupted his momentum. However, he birdied the par-4 16 before finishing with two consecutive pars.
On his part, Gaita managed three birdies on holes 1, 3, and 8 with blemishes on holes 2 and 6, which he bogeyed, but remains within reach of the leader.
A cut was effected after Wednesday's round, with 16 out of the 32 professionals making the cut to partake of the sh20 million prize money. Phillip Kasozi, Andrew Ssekibejja, and Deo Akope were among those who improved in the second round to remain in contention.
In the amateurs' 54-hole competition, John Musiimenta's 4-under 68 propelled him to the top, two strokes better than Bruce Gomushabe, who also produced a 68 in the second round.
Overnight leader Charles Mulyanga struggled in the second round with a 75, five strokes worse than what he managed in the first round, but also remains two strokes away going into the last round of the 54-hole contest.
Rd 2: Top ten
Ronald Rugumayo 68 67 135
Rodell Gaita 67 71 138
Phillip Kasozi 71 69 140
Andrew Ssekibejja 73 69 142
Deo Akope 73 70 143
Grace Kasango 71 72 143
Abraham Ainamani 72 74 146
Hussein Bagalana 71 75 146
Tom Jingo 75 72 147
Abbey Bagalana 72 74 146
Top ten amateurs
John Musiimenta 75 68 143
Bruce Gomushabe 77 68 145
Charles Mulyanga 70 75 145
Reagan Akena 76 70 146
Mackinon Masereka 74 73 147
Amon Bwambale 75 73 148
Abdullah Kakooza 73 75 148
Abdu Kakeeto 71 77 148
Samuel Bazaale 74 75 149
Sande Lulet 73 76 149