Kenya's Karichu vows to win the Uganda Open

Limuru Golf Club’s John Karichu is determined to win his first Castle Lite Uganda Open title after he shot a three-under-par 68 in the second round to take the lead, going into the third round at the Entebbe course.

Kenya’s Karichu is now two strokes ahead of Uganda’s Ronald Otile, whose 73 gross on the day was only good for second place. Day-one leader Edwin Mudanyi found the going tough in the second round, shooting a five-over-par 76 and is trailing the leader by four strokes.

“I played very well today better than yesterday which was like my practice round; so today, since I knew the course that is why I played well. I want to win this year’s open, it is my second time to participate and I think I have to go for it,” Karichu vowed.

“I was putting very well and got many birdies on the par-fives, it’s only on No. 11 where I drove to the bush, so I hope to maintain this lead.”

 Mutebi has been the most consistent Ugandan golfer with a similar 71 gross on each of the two rounds

Karichu is no stranger to the Entebbe course having played there for Kenya in the East African Challenge and the Victoria Cup encounters against Uganda.

But despite giving away six strokes two-time champion Ronal Otile is not about to surrender without a fight and promised to rectify his mistakes in the third round.

“Today was a bit tough because I missed a lot of pars on the par-3’s; out of the six I made only one par which gave me five-over on all of them. I’m just going to try to rectify where I made mistakes; I wasn’t on the greens on regulation, I was hitting over, that is where the mistake was,” Otile noted.

“Tomorrow I will need to be consistent with my scores and stick to my routine. I wasn’t just committed to my shots but I will fix that tomorrow (today),” Otile said.

 Otile celebrates his buddie putt on hole-No. 14 during day-two action of the Castle Lite Uganda Open

The most consistent Ugandan golfer to-date, Entebbe’s Herman Mutebi, returned 71 like in the first round to remain third overall while Kenya’s Sam Njoroge and Mutahi Kibugu are fourth and fifth respectively going into the third round on Friday.

Otile (285 yards),  later finished third behind eventual winner Canary Kabise (291) and Kenya’s Mutahi Kibugu (287) in the longest drive competition that was held in the evening.

Day-two: Top ten

John Karichu (KEN)        70; 68 138

Ronald Otile (UG)       67; 73 140

Edwin Mudanyi (KEN)     66; 76 142

Herman Mutebi (UG)     71; 71 142

Sam Njoroge (KEN)        71; 73 144

Mutahi Kibugu (KEN)    70; 75 145

Daniel Baguma           74; 72 146

Edrine Okong            74; 73 147

Joseph Cwinya-I (UG)     71; 77 148

Rodwel Gaita (UGA)      75; 73 148