Ten Ugandan pros make the cut for sh150M prize at Uganda Golf Open Championship

Ten Ugandans will partake of the sh150m cash after they made the cut at the end of the second round of the Johnnie Walker Uganda Open Golf Professional’s Championship at the Lugazi Hills Golf and Country Club on Thursday.

Ronald Rugumayo, who led the opening round with a four-under 67 on Wednesday, leads the cast of Ugandan pros who managed to get into the money bracket after he shot 1-over 143 over the two rounds.

Marvin Kibirige (144), David Kamulindwa (145), Joshua Seale (146), Phillip Kasozi (147), Abraham Ainamani (147), Phillip Kasozi (147), Vincent Byamukama (148), Ronald Otile, Silver Opio and Hussein Bagalana also got in.

Five Ugandan amateurs, led by Joseph Cwinyaai, will also play in the final two rounds of the annual championship after they found the course still too familiar, having tested it during the amateurs' competition last week.

The other amateurs who will continue playing for prestige include Ibrahim Ssemakula, Anthony Otukei, Reagan Akena and Derrick Musana after they also made the cut.  

Kemyan Dismas Indiza tees-off during the second round. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Kenyan Dismas Indiza shot a second-round 1-over 72 to take a one-stroke lead in the leaderboard as a cut was effected on Thursday.

Unlike in the first round, where he managed four birdies to finish with a 69, Indiza struggled with his putts and only hit one in the second round on the par-5 hole 10, but capitalised on Ugandan Rugumayo’s struggles in the second round to move to the top of the leaderboard.

As Rugumayo slipped it instead amateur champion Joseph Cwinyaai who surged to third position on the leaderboard after his second-round 4-under 68.

“It was tough out there. I was swinging well and created many chances but I couldn’t putt well. I teed off very early in the morning, the greens were filled with dew, so I did whatever I could, but things didn’t work out as expected.”

“My pace was off, but on the other hand, I am happy because I know what to work on going into the last round. Tomorrow is a moving day, and i will be all out tomorrow after positioning myself well in the opening rounds,” Rugumayo stated.

Three-time champion Indiza could not replicate his opening round heroics that had him shoot 3-under 69 but remains a strong contender with two rounds remaining.

“I was hitting the ball very well but my putting was not good today. The chipping was good but I missed so many small puts like on hole 3, 5, 7, 8, and 9 where I missed birdie opportunities,” Indiza said.

“But I was playing well but this course is like a training ground as it exercises your whole body. Even yesterday I wasn’t feeling well and I wasn’t too strong either today.

“But this is a good course for these young men because it works on your whole body and if you play here for about a year you’ll be fit enough to play and win anywhere. This is an interesting course that can make you happy and sad at the same time,” Indiza stated.

“But this is our job and you must find a way to make it happen”.

The terrain around the course has wowed many but it is only 37 golfers out of the 94 that entered that will walk away with some cash after the competition on Saturday as the rest missed the cut which was set at 8-over 150 after the two rounds. The most unfortunate ones were Ugandans Rodell Gaita, Davis Kato, Herman Mutebi, Richard Baguma, James Muigai, John Karichu and Promise Sombreiro who missed the cut by one stroke.

Round 2: Top ten

Dismas Indiza (KEN) 69 72 141

Joseph Cwinyaai (UG-a) 74 68 142

David Wakhu (KEN) 75 67 142

Ronald Rugumayo (UG) 67 76 143

Ibrahim Ssemakula (UG-a) 73 70 143

Marvin Kibirige (UG) 75 69 144

Visitor Mapwanya (ZIM) 75 70 145

David Kamulindwa (UG) 74 71 145

Joshua Seale (UG) 71 75 146

Phillip Kasozi (UG) 75 72 147

Anthony Otukei (UG-a) 73 74 147

Reagan Akena (UG-a) 73 74 147

Fadhly Nkya (TZ) 74 73 147