Toro Golf Club pair of Denis Styles Asaba and Joseph Cwinyai-ai are some of the favorite players to claim the Amateur title of the Tusker Malt Uganda Open Golf Championship once the gross players finish their final round on Friday at Uganda Golf Club’s par-72 course in Kitante.
Both players are in pursuit for a maiden championship and after a good start to the 79th staging of the Amateur open, one of the two could walk home with the title on Friday evening.
In the opening two days, Asaba managed a total gross score of 147 (75, 72), while Cwinyai-ai who is the national amateur team captain returned 148 (73, 75) to keep themselves in good position to claim the championship.
“I’ve been playing really well and I am excited about it. I am hoping to finish on a high and possibly win the Uganda Open,” Asaba, handicap +2 said.
“However, I’ve had some struggles on the course and I remember in the second round my ball hit the tree at the back nine. Despite the hurdles, my target now is to see to it that on Saturday I lift the trophy,” Asaba who was joint second with Christopher Baguma and Kenyan John Legirma on day two said.
For Cwinyai-ai, the handicap +1 star knows that he has to please the crowd who are expecting him to be an example to all the national players or those who have worn national colors before.
“I’m targeting a very strong finish on Friday,” Cwinyai-ai told the media after his second round.
Cwinyai-ai was joint second with fellow Ugandan Gaita Rodell after the opening round but was tied fifth with Gaita after the second round with another Toro Golf Club star Michael Alunga ‘stealing the show’ on day two with a total gross score of 146 to emerge leader.
“Whether I’ll be on the pressure group or not in the final day, my target is to finish as the first. It’s possible if I play well and refuse to succumb to pressure,” Cwinyai-ai said.
Last year’s winner Daniel Nduva from Kenya was not in the pressure group on the final day but wrecked havoc in the pecking order. Hence, anyone can overturn odds in the final round and claim the title.