Muhumuza, Cwinya-ai share lead on day one of Uganda Open
Aug 10, 2016
For joint leader Cwinya-ai, it was all about playing with the top players
Toro Club golfer Adolf Muhumuza shot an opening one-under-par 71 to take the lead as the 82nd edition of the Tusker Malt Uganda Open teed off at Kitante, on Wednesday.
Another Toro Club product Joseph Cwinya-ai, a former national team player returned the same score to share joint leadership with Muhumuza who is determined to hold on and play even better in the subsequent rounds, to bag his first open title.
Apart from the trophy, the overall winner of the amateur event will get, an all-expense paid trip to Abu Dhabi courtesy of Etihad Airways is also on card.
A brand new sh250m Chevrolet Trailblazer by Marc East Africa, distributors of Isuzu and Chevrolet vehicles in the country is also up for grabs for whoever hits a hole-in-one.
"Going by my practice round (68 gross), I expected to perform better than this but my putting let me down. I encountered early pressure when I bogeyed hole no. 1, and I hadn't settled by the fourth until I took some water and cooled down," Muhumuza said.
"The good thing I was able to tame my troublesome holes; 5 and 12, and even got an eagle on the 5th hole, so I will play a cautious patient game as I look to improve," Muhumuza who hit birdies on holes; 3, 8, 10 and 13 said.
For joint leader Cwinya-ai, it was all about playing with the top players (pressure group) that mattered as he came for this year's open.
"I badly wanted to play alongside a gallery so that people can appreciate my game and I think I have achieved that; but now that I have started well I'm hoping to make a top four finish, though people following are also tough," Cwinya-ai stated.
Defending champion Ronald Otile is also eyeing an improvement after returning two-over-par 74.
Defending champion Ronald Otile managed to stay close to the leaders. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
The Chevy that will go to the golfer who scores a hole-in-one. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
"It is not very bad. My target was to play below 75 on the first day, but I have to improve my putting because if the worst comes to the worst, I have to finish at least second, so I will improve as we go along," Otile promised.
Kenya's Edwin Mudanyi and Zambia's Aaron Simfukwe who were in the same group had a rather bad day at the office, returning 77 and 80 gross respectively. But they were also looking forward to better scores in today's round.
"I liked the way the course was playing, so I have to improve," Mudanyi noted, while Simfukwe who missed the official practice round headed to the range to fix his drive.
Top ten
Adolf Muhumuza (UG) 71
Joseph Cwinya-ai (UG) 71
Samuel Kato (UG) 73
Ronald Otile (UG) 74
Joel Basalaine (UG) 74
Alfred Nandwa (KEN) 74
Paul Muchangi (KEN) 74
Alloys Nsabimana (RWA) 74
John Basabose (UG) 75
Yusuf Ssentongo (UG) 75