Cwinya-ai takes Palm Valley lead, on course for third major

GOLF

Tooro Golf Club's Joseph Cwinya-ai hit seven birdies and an eagle in the first round to take a five-stroke lead as the Palm Valley Open teed off on Thursday in Kakungulu Estate.

The Nile Special USPA golfer of the year 2019's four-under-par, 68 has him five strokes ahead of Mehta Golf Club's Ibrahim Aliga who is second, going into the last round of the 36-hole championship.

He is now on course to winning his third major this year, following earlier victories in the Venus and Kitante Opens.

"The course is in good shape but the greens gave me a bit of a challenge. I started with four bogies on the first four holes but I had mastered them by the front-nine," Cwinya-ai said.

"I finished the front-nine with a two-over but the back was very good, because I played six-under on the last six holes.

"I want to win everything; after my victory at Kitante, there were some doubters after I said I won while sick, so I now want to show them what I'm made of," he said after Thursday's round.

Aliga is five strokes off in second place while Kilembe Mines' Rodell Gaita, all members of the national team, shot a three-over 75.

Entebbe's David Spencer and Palm Valley's Christopher Baguma are tied in fourth while Michael Tumusiime and Samuel Kato are joint-fifth after carding 78 gross in the 36-hole competition for the top amateurs from across the country.

The event will wind up with a subsidiary event on Saturday.

Palm Valley Open: Top ten

Joseph Cwinya-ai 68

Ibrahim Aliga 73

Rodell Gaita 75

Ibrahim Bagalana 76

Chris Baguma 77

Johnson Niwamanya 77

David Spencer 77

Michael Tumusiime 78

Samuel Kato 78

Brian Kamoga 78