Golf: Cwinyaai closes gap as Uganda Open title race heats up at Lugazi

Ugandan Joseph Cwinyaai shot a three-under 68—best of the round—to reduce Zambian Dominic Musonda’s lead to one stroke as the second round of the Johnnie Walker Uganda Golf Open Amateurs Championship ended at the Lugazi Hills Golf and Country Club on Thursday.

Musonda began with a two-stroke lead after shooting a six-under 65 in the opening round of the 84th edition. However, a strong second round from Uganda’s top amateur narrowed the gap, setting up a closely contested finish as both golfers remain determined.

Despite starting with a bogey on the first hole, his only mistake of the round, Cwinyaai recorded 13 pars and four birdies to keep Musonda within reach. He birdied holes 6 and 18, both par-4s, as well as the par-3 15th and par-5 16th, setting up an exciting third-round contest at the challenging course.

The 2021 champion could have posted an even better score but struggled with his putting on the front nine, despite a strong finish at the back.

Dominic Musonda reads his line on hole 12 during the second round. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

“I three-putted on the first hole and generally my putting wasn’t good enough today because if it was I should have returned a 64 or a 65 but I’m happy with what I have gotten today because chasing a stroke gives me hope to go stronger in the last two rounds,” Cwinyaai said.

“We are going to be paired together with the leader, so it is going to be man-on-man heading into the last two rounds. I’m really happy with the way I’m playing and how I’m managing the course, so my caddie and I have done a tremendous job over the opening two rounds,” Cwinyaai stated.

He said he was now going to employ his 8-year experience of playing the Uganda Open and five years of playing in the pressure group to ensure he prevails over the field.

“It is ours to lose, and no foreigner is going to take this away from us so I call upon all the fans to come and give me the support and courage in the remaining two rounds and also to pray for me because this title has to stay home, so, I’m hoping for the best,”

Nkana Golf Club’s Musonda, 22, was praying for good tee shots after the opening round and it is what he got, often getting to the greens with his second shots and used his range finder and preferred lie option to good effect. He was also keen on his putts, taking time reading the lines with his caddie and often saved par whenever he got into trouble especially on the par-4 14, which he overshot from the tee, the 14th where he recovered from a bunker and on the 16th, where he shot to the left of the 16th and 11th fairway but managed par on the par-5 16.

He managed four birdies and two bogeys on the day to finish with a three-under 69. He recorded 13 consecutive pars from hole 8 to 17 before he birdied the par-4 18.

“All I can say is that if I can replicate the way I played today, I know I will do it,” Musonda stated.

Following the second-round results, Ugandans Abdu Kakeeto, Elton Thembo, Ibrahim Ssemakula, and Peter Tumusiime now find themselves battling for the remaining top spots, trailing the leading pair by 8, 9, and 10 strokes, respectively.

Round 2: Top ten

Dominic Musonda (ZAM) 65 69 134

Joseph Cwinyaai (UG) 67 68 135

Abdu Kakeeto (UG) 70 72 142

Elton Thembo (UG) 70 73 143

Ibrahim Ssemakula (UG) 72 71 143

Peter Tumusiime (UG) 71 74 145

Derrick Musana (UG) 73 73 146

Peter Mayende (UG) 75 71 146