Nakalembe defends Ikoy Ladies Open in Lagos

Uganda's ladies' national team player Irene Nakalembe has turned Nigeria into a fortress after she won her second title in a space of one-week on Nigerian soil.

Following her triumph in the Nigeria Ladies Open at the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja November 8, Nakalembe was once again in devastating form on Saturday, beating 65 ladies to the 45th edition of the Ikoy Ladies Open played at the Ikoy Club 1938 course in Lagos.

It was the second time that the Entebbe Club golfer was winning the championship having returned as defending champion this year.

The RwandAir sponsored golfer edged her counterpart Peace Kabasweka by 13 strokes to win with an aggregate score of 230 over 54 holes.

"I attribute this win to the almighty God. I was calm in all approaches. The Nigerians were just in shock but happy for me at the same time; I didn't learn eating pepe (red pepper) for nothing!," Nakalembe stated.

In an earlier interview with some of the Nigerian press she said: "Winning for sure feels good whether it is for the first time or second, I'm glad I won. The competition was not a walk in the park.

"Nigerians are highly competitive, so winning for the second time doesn't mean that I had it easy. I just came to play a good game, winning came as a bonus," she said.

Another Ugandan Gloria Mbaguta finished fifth with while Wendy Angudeyo finished seventh.     

Last year Nakalembe and Eva Magala won both the Nigeria and Ikoy ladies open, and the formers' wins this year cements Uganda's dominance on Nigerian soil.

Ikoy Ladies Open results: Top ten

Irene Nakalembe 81 74 75 230

Peace Kabasweka 81 81 81 243

Alaba Adetunji     83 83 82 248

Evelyn Oyome      81 89 79 249  

Gloria Mbaguta     88 85 85 258

Fatoumata Valet   90 88 86 264

Wendy Angundeyo 89 92 87 268

Fatumata Coker    90 90 90 270

Aisha Duba           93 89 89 271

L. Mohammed      92 89 90 271