Seale eyes comeback as Indiza maintains lead

Dismas Indiza watches his shot on the 17th tee on day-two at Kitante. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Just like last year, fifteen Ugandan professionals led by Brian Mwesigwa are in the running for a share of the sh145m prize money after making the cut in the Tusker Malt Lager Uganda Professionals Open at Kitante on Thursday.

Kenya with twenty, has the biggest number in the money bracket including four time champion Dismas Indiza who still leads the chase for the biggest pay cheque from the 72-hole, four-day competition. The winner will walk away with sh32m.

Despite playing two strokes more than in his first round, the veteran golfer shot a second round one-under par 71 to maintain leadership going into the third round which promises even more competition as golfers start the fight for the top positions where the big money is.

Brian Mwesigwa is the highest placed Ugandan. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

"I should have played better but the field has changed and you cannot be sure where your ball will stop; I missed easy putts because the greens were faster today," said Indiza who prefers wetter conditions, like it was in the opening round.

Zimbabwe based Portuguese golfer Stephen Ferreira is three strokes off the lead in second position after also returning 71 gross yesterday while Kenya's Anil Shah is joint third with surprise package of the tournament, Uganda's Brian Mwesigwa who shot one-over-par 73 in the second round.

Mwesigwa who has never made the cut in the tournament because of his off- the course errands is this time a reformed and fresh competitor whose putting has been awesome.

"People had started doubting me so after I got some help from friends, I also added in extra hours of training to be able to get some cash from this event. You know it is hard to play this game consistently without sponsors," Mwesigwa noted.

He now believes with even extra effort he can win the championship since ‘there are two more rounds and anything can happen.

Despite trailing by 9 strokes Seale was still confident of winning the championship again. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

 Deo Akope struggled on day two at Kitante. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Kenya's Shah who was one of two golfers alongside Zimbabwe's Charamba Tongoona with the day's best score of two-under-par 70, and was not even among the leaders after the first round, but is now among the top contenders.

Another Kenyan David Wakhu is joint fifth with rookie Zambia's Aaron Simfukwe who just joined the paid ranks this year.

Day-one leader Uganda's Deo Akope had a terrible round in the second round, returning five-over and is now joint eighth with Fred Wanzala who improved his first round score of 75 by four strokes.

Defending champion Joshua Seale despite being 9 strokes off the pace vowed to make amends in the next two rounds to win the championship for the second consecutive time.

"Nine strokes on this golf course is nothing, if I return 68 each in the remaining two rounds, I can win this tournament; three under will win this championship, but I will aim for 67 tomorrow (today)," Seale noted.

Cricketer Charles Waisswa (L) worked as a caddie for Grace Ocici. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

 "The greens were quick but not smooth, so I expect even the leaders to struggle. My game was solid today but not the best, I missed a lot of putts otherwise a 66 or 67 was possible today. You need some lucky shots on this course, because the greens are not easy to read but at the end of the day, I'm going to be alright because I going to return to my game I have been playing and I should be able to win this thing again," Seale added.

Peter Sendaula also made his first Uganda Open cut in three years while Abbey Bagalana, Lawrence Muhenda, Henry Lujja, Happy Robert, Robert Oluba, Hussein Bagalana, Silver Opio, Ronald Bukenya, Amos Kamya, Steven Odong and Ian Odokonyero also missed the cut.

Last year South Africa's Joshua Seale saved the best for last returning three-under-par 69 to win the tournament.

The 26 year old Sunshine Tour player hit five birdies and two bogeys in the final round to edge out defending champion, Zambian Madalisto Muthiya by four strokes (-2 overall).