Event: 2021 Tusker Malt Uganda Golf Open
Professional Winner: Justus Madoya, Kenya (271)
Kenyan professional Justus Madoya of Great Rift Valley Golf Resort on Saturday hoisted the 2021 Tusker Malt Uganda Golf Open (Professionals Open) accolade after emerging victorious in a tournament held at Entebbe Club’s par-71 lakeside course.
After four rounds, Madoya shot an overall 13 under par 271 (65, 68, 66, 72) to claim 22.5% of the tournament’s UGX100M pro kitty in an event that also doubled as a Safari Tour leg.
Madoya who won the 2019 Entebbe Open says that he’s fallen in love with the place and he felt at ease during his rounds hence enabling him win his maiden Uganda Golf Open title.
“First of all I just love Entebbe, I love the area, it’s so beautiful and it makes me enjoy the game,” Madoya said adding that he’ll return for the 2022 Uganda Open whose venue is yet to be confirmed.
The Uganda Open triumph is Madoya’s first major win and he attributes his victory to adequate preparation (that saw him even win a local tournament about a week ago), decent chipping especially in the final two rounds, decent putting and precised driving among others.
Madoya started the tournament on a strong note, posting a two-stroke lead when he returned 6 under par 65 in the Thursday’s opening round.
He however dropped to second on day two as title holder then, Robson Chinhoi (133) stormed summit with a stroke ahead of Madoya who was second then.
However, Madoya dubbed “Pastor” regained lead in day three (199) and once he had the lead at his grasp, he couldn’t let it slip as he won the event with a gross score of 271, five strokes ahead of his countrymate and five time winner Dismas Indiza.
However, 2020 winner Chinhoi finished third off 6 under par 278, just a stroke better than Uganda’s Ronald Rugumayo (279) who was the best local pro at the tournament.
Local pros Deo Akope (UPGA Captain) and Silver Opio tied for ninth with Malawi’s Paul Chidale off 3 over par 287.
However, Saturday outcome means that Madoya becomes the third Kenyan to win the tournament that marked its 16th staging this year. Previous Kenyan winners are; Dismas Indiza (2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2018) and Richard Ainley who won in 2009.
The hosts have won it thrice, that is Deo Akope who won the inaugural edition in 2006 plus his victory in 2014 which is the last victory for Uganda till today. Vincent Byamukama won the 2013 edition.
The Leaderboard
1. Justus Madoya (KE) – 271
2. Dismas Indiza (KE) – 276
3. Robson Chinhoi (ZW) – 278
4. Ronald Rugumayo (UG) – 279
5. Visitor Mapawanya (ZW) – 281
6. Sydney Wemba (ZM) – 283
7. Samuel Chege (KE)- 284
8. Erik Ooko (KE) – 286
T9. Paul Chidale (MW) – 287
T9. Silver Opio (UG) – 287
T9. Deo Akope (UG) – 287
2021 Uganda Golf Open winners
LADIES: Irene Nakalembe (Uganda)
AMATEURS: Joseph Cwinya-ai (Uganda)
PROFESSIONALS: Justus Madoya (Kenya).
