Cwinya-ai wins Kitante Open as Oche leads pros contest
In the professionals’ event, Nigeria’s Andrew Oche’s four-under 68 propelled him to the top as his opponents Phillip Kasozi and Edwin Mudanyi with whom he was joint –top after the second round struggled.
GOLF
Tooro Golf Club's Joseph Cwinya-ai carded 226 gross over 54 holes to win the Kitante Open at the Uganda Golf Club on Friday.
Cwinya-ai rallied from five strokes down to edge his closest challenger, Kinyara Golf Club's Joseph Kasozi by two strokes on the last day of action.
He trailed by five strokes after the first round and by three after the second to win his second major in a row following earlier victory in the Venus Open at his home course last week.
"It wasn't that simple as I came into the competition under medication but I kept on improving with each round," Cwinya-ai who wrapped it with three birdies on holes; 8, 9, and 18 said.
Nigeria's Oche has a four-stroke advantage going into the last round. Photos by Michael Nsubuga
"I was trailing by three strokes going into the last round but Kasozi was also under pressure because he knew what I'm capable of, so after the first three holes I had reduced the margin to one stroke but I made a few mistakes on the next two holes and by the sixth hole I was chasing six strokes which gave me a little bit of headache but I managed to catch up in the remaining 12 holes for the victory.
"Winning on +10 is not good golf at all and I'm a bit disappointed but I will take the win because I was under medication," Cwinya-ai stated.
Cwinya-ai who could turn pro later this year said there is unfinished business in the amateur ranks before he can think of a professional move.
"I also want to turn pro when I'm still hot but we have to defend the Victoria Cup and the East Africa Regional IV championship in Entebbe before I make the move,"
"We have won the Region IV championship twice in a row and we would like to win it again in Entebbe,"
In the professionals' event, Nigeria's Andrew Oche's four-under 68 propelled him to the top as his opponents Phillip Kasozi and Edwin Mudanyi with whom he was joint -top after the second round struggled.
Kasozi reacts to his putt during the third round action.
"I really had a good solid round; it couldn't have been worse than it is right now because I made a lot of birdies today and I hit some really decent shots onto the greens, giving myself chance, so it was good that I managed to convert a few today; so it is a fair result for me and it could have been better," Oche said.
Oche's round included six birdies on holes 5, 8, 10, 11, 12, and 17 and is looking to warp it in a similar style on Saturday.
"I'm going to give it as much chance as I can but there are 18 holes still to play and the concentration has to still remain at a hundred percent, so I will just stay focused and do what I have been doing; the game plan has not changed, so the plan is to stay as solid as I can," Oche who is also looking to cement his position on the Safari Tour stated.
Uganda's Phillip Kasozi remains in the second position, four strokes off having played level-72 in the third round.
Oche and Kasozi shake hands after the third round.
"I struggled with my putting but we have another round which will call for the best from all of us," Kasozi said.
Other Ugandan pros Ronald Rugumayo, Deo Akope, and Denis Anguyo and Kenya's Simon Ngige had a decent round too, returning 68 and 71 gross respectively to move
Amateurs: Top ten
Gross Leaderboard
Joseph Cwinya-ai 77 75 74 226
Joseph Kasozi 72 77 79 228
Hassan Kiyemba 75 80 74 229
Tadeo Gaita Rodell 79 78 75 232
Ibrahim Bagalana 76 78 78 232
Denis Styles Asaba 81 76 76 233
Morris Ashaba 77 81 77 235
Christopher Baguma 83 80 73 236
James Koto 76 82 78 236
Emmanuel Moko 76 78 82 236
Kitante Open Rd 3: Top ten pros
Andrew Odoh Oche (NIG) 71; 73; 68; 212
Phillip Kasozi (UG) 69; 75; 72; 216
Robinson Chinhoi (ZIM) 71; 75; 71; 217
Dismas Indiza (KE) 72; 74; 71; 217
Edwin Mudanyi (KEN) 69; 75; 73; 217
Ronald Rugumayo (UG) 74; 76; 68; 218
Mathew Omondi (UG) 73; 73; 73; 219
Simon Ngige (KEN) 73; 76; 71; 220
David Kamulindwa (UG) 74; 74; 72; 220
Brian Toolit (UG) 71; 74; 75 220