Uganda professional golfer Willy Kitata’s dream of becoming the first Ugandan to play at the US Golf Open hit a dead end when he failed to make the cut at qualifiers to the event, played at the Wanderers Club, Wellington in Florida on Monday.

Kitata who was making his debut at such a stage returned 78 gross, to miss out on qualification by eight strokes in the one-round qualifier.

Conor Richardson of West Palm Beach topped the qualifiers with 68 gross with A J Morris of Colorado, Alex Rainville of Saint Johnsbury Center, Brett McCurdy (West Palm Beach) and Jeff Waber (Boca Raton), Florida returning 70 gross each to qualify for the 116th U.S. Open due June 16-19 at the par 70 Oakmont Country Club in Plum, Pennsylvania.

Consequently, Kitata who is currently based in West Palm Beach Florida with the PGA National Golf Club and trains with the Every Ball Counts (EBC) misses out on a possible share of the $20m (sh68bn) prize money.

125 players including 12 former winners that include last year’s winner Jordan Spieth (US), 2014 winner Martin Kaymer (Germany) and 2013 winner Justin Rose (England) are among the established golfers who will compete in the open.

Others are Webb Simpson, Rory Mcllroy, Graeme McDowell, Lucas Glover and Tiger Woods who have won in the last ten years.