Ex-Professional Peter Ssendawula has lived up to his billing, firing three under par 68 to top the Uganda Open at Entebbe Golf Club on Wednesday.
With all major contenders done with the first round, Ssendawula who won the tournament back in 2009 was four strokes clear of second placed Robert Oluba, Patrick Mwaka and dreadlocked Ronnie Bukenya who tied 72.
Ssendawula birdied the fourth, fifth, 11th and 15th holes as he faced off with defending champion Phillip Kasozi and 2011 champion Rogers Byaruhanga in the same group which teed off first at 8:00am.
“It’s not a bad score considering how my competitors have performed but I could have done better today. I have to keep calm tomorrow and hopefully have a good game as well,” a soft spoken Ssendawula remarked.
Ssendawula could not get his putting right, picking up bogeys on holes No. 2, 7, 9 and 11 on the sunny and slightly windy morning.
The other pre-event favourites Willy Kitatta, Kasozi (76) Byaruhanga were overshadowed on the opening day of the annual tournament that has attracted over 100 golfers.
The four-day tournament sponsored by Tusker Malt Lager ends on Saturday.
A total of 35 professionals from Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda teed off in the afternoon and only the top 20 will proceed to the third round on Friday. Only the top 20 will get a share of the sh40m prize money.
Uganda Golf Open
Day 1 Leader board
Peter Ssendawula 68
Robert Oluba 72
Patrick Mwaka 72
Ronnie Bukenya 72
Willy Kitatta 73
Henry Lujja 73
Daniel Baguma 74
Patrick Mugisha 75
Henry Omidi 75
Phillip Kasozi 76
Joseph Mawejje 77
Titus Okwong 77
Abbey Bagalana 77
Emmanuel Agwari 77
Professionals
Ian Odokonyero 70
Emmanuel Opio Onito 71
Richard Ainley 71
David Odhiambo 72
Deo Akope 73
Kopan Timbe 73
By Douglas Mazune, The New Vision
