Rugumayo carries country’s hope in finale of Uganda Open

Kampala, Uganda | LOUIS JADWONG | Ugandans will lead the charge for glory on the final day of a Uganda Golf Open for the first time since professional Deo Akope’s win way back in 2014. Six Ugandans are in the top 10 going into the final round of the Professionals’ event, at the 2023 Johnnie Walker Uganda Golf Open.

Leading the charge going into the final 18 holes at UGC Kitante on Saturday is Ronald Rugumayo, whose recent form on the Sunshine Tour has already made its mark on this year’s event.

“Ugandans have been struggling to win the Uganda Open, but this year, I see a Ugandan winning the Open. I can promise you that,” he told NBS Sport early in the week, before a flying start, that had him card 67, 5 under par on day.

It is that promise that will attract a record number of golf fans Saturday, as Rugumayo battles to brush off the competition, that includes one of the Kibugu brothers from Kenya. Twenty year old Kibugu Njorog is just a stroke behind, and Rwandan Celestin Nsanzuera.

Njoroge is one of two sons of renowned amateur golfer, Daniel Kagwe. Daniel Kagwe was a prominent amateur player on the Uganda golf scene in the early 2000s, and indeed was captain of the Uganda Golf Club, Kitante in 2004-2005 before he returned to Nairobi.

Njoroge was the only Kenyan who made the cut at the 2022 Magical Kenya Golf Open, a feat his elder brother, 23-year-old Mutahi, achieved early this year.  Mutahi Kibugu, is currently tied at 15th at par for the course, after 54 holes.

They were both amateurs as recently at 2019, where they competed at the Uganda Open. Njoroge ended 20th (+24 312), while Mutahi Kibugu T31 (+33 321) in the Amateur Open that was won then by another Kenyan Daniel Nduva (-1 286).

The winner of the Uganda Pro Golf Open Championship will walk away with sh21 million out of the 100 million prize kitty. The top 30 will share the package and earn points for the Safari Tour.

The flagship sponsor of the tournament is Johnnie Walker. Co sponsors are Absa Bank Uganda, Pinnacle Security Limited, Crown Beverages, HK Properties, Medisell, Case Medical Services, NCS, HTC Hub, Royal and Ancient.

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✳ Winners of Pro Open since 2006
2006 – Deo Akope (Uganda)
2007 – Dismas Ndiza (Kenya)
2008 – Dismas Ndiza (Kenya)
2009 – Richard Ainley (Kenya)
2010 – Dismus Ndiza (Kenya)
2011 – Dismus Ndiza (Kenya)
2012 – Dismus Ndiza (Kenya)
2013 – Vicent Byamukama (Uganda)
2014 – Deo Akope (Uganda)
2015 – Madalisto Muthiya (Zambia)
2016 – Joshua Seale (South Africa)
2017 – Stephen Ferriera (Portugal)
2018 – Dismas Indiza (Kenya)
2019 – Madalisto Muthiya (Zambia)
2020 – Robson Chinhoi (Zimbabwe)
2021 – Jastas Madoya (Kenya)
2022 – Robson Chinoi
2023 – ????

Day 4 draw

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