Otile stuns pros to snatch Uganda Open lead

By Michael Nsubuga

Top ten after 36 holes

Ronald Otile (Amateur) 138

Madalisto Muthia (ZAM) 143

Michael Palmer (SA) 143

Herman Mutaawe (UG) 144

Tony Omuli (KEN) 145

James Karanja (KEN) 145

Robson Saurombe (ZIM) 146

Dismas Indiza (KEN) 146

Richard Ainley (KEN) 146

Riz Charania (KEN) 147

Fadhily Nkya (TZ) 147

PROFESSIONAL golfers competing at the Tusker Malt Lager Professionals Open must be envious of amateur golfer Ronald Otile.

The Ugandan Open amateur champion returned seven-under-par 65 on Thursday not only to match the course record but also to lead the field of over 70 golfers (60 pros+10amateurs).

After two rounds the twenty-year old Toro Golf Club, and national team player leads the field with 138 gross.

Zambia's Muthia Madalisto who led with three-under par 69 on Thursday could not play at the same rhythm returning four-over-par 76 on day two.

South Africa's Michael Palmer revises his notes with his caddie before teeing off on tee No.6 during day-two of the Professionals' Open at Kitante. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

That gave South African Michael Palmer who was two shots behind to close in on the leader and now is joint top on 143 gross each.

After Thursday's cut, top Ugandan golfers; defending champion Deo Akope and Denis Anguyo who finished third, were the surprise casualties after they missed the cut by one and three strokes respectively.

Akope's woes were complicated by bogies he picked on the last three holes but especially on the 18th where he missed a foot-long putt.

Phillip Kasozi (148 gross) and Willy Kitatta (149) who won the open as amateurs made the cut which was 150 gross over the two rounds while other former winners Amos Kamya, Brian Mwesigwa and Peter Sendawula missed the cut.

Despite struggling with his game Herman Mutaawe, who is one stroke behind the leaders remains Uganda's biggest hope.

If they can improve on their game, Opio Onito (148), Fred Wanzala (148), Brian Toolit and Godfrey Mande (149) can also increase their chances of earning big.

Apart from Otile's heroics, the best player on the day amongst the professionals was Zimbabwe's Robson Saurombe who returned 69.

Other big causalities who missed the cut include 19-year old South African golfer Jason Froneman and Kyle Lucas who missed by one stroke each, while Kenya's Greg Snow, Zimbabwe's Charamba Tongoona and Rwanda's Emmanuel Ruterana missed the cut by two strokes each.

31 professionals and 2 amateurs; Ronald Otile and Happy Robert will compete in the last two rounds.