Zambia’s Dominic Musonda tightened his grip on the Johnnie Walker Uganda Amateur Open on Thursday, producing a commanding display at Uganda Golf Club, Kitante, to move six strokes clear of his nearest challenger, compatriot Gilbert Chalwe, who was day two leader.
Musonda heads into Friday’s final round firmly in the driving seat, with the title now his to lose after another virtually flawless round.
The Zambian’s only blemish in his 42 holes at Kitante has been a bogey on the second hole on Thursday. Beyond that solitary dropped shot, Musonda has been remarkably consistent, with the 11 pars on his card arguably representing the closest thing to vulnerability in a performance that was otherwise imperious.
He was accurate off the tee, sharp with his wedges and composed whenever the course presented a challenge.
Even on the final hole, when he missed the fairway and appeared to be heading into bogey territory, Musonda demonstrated why he has been so difficult to catch. From deep in the forest, he produced an excellent recovery to reach the green and narrowly missed a birdie putt on one of the toughest pin placements of the tournament.
If the mark of a good golfer is how well he recovers from trouble, Musonda has excelled with flying colours. In reality, however, he has rarely looked genuinely troubled at Kitante.
His Thursday performance also brought him within one stroke of the course record of 63, set by Ugandan professional Deo Akope in 2010 during an MTN Monthly Mug professional event. The record was later equalled by Kenya’s gifted left-hander Richard Ainley.
Musonda had several close calls as he chased the mark but, more importantly, strengthened his position at the top of the championship leaderboard.
The best placed golfer to challenge Musonda is fellow Zambian Gilbert Chalwe, who shot a one-under-par 71 to retain second position.
Chalwe is five strokes ahead of first-round leader Joseph Kasozi, whose challenge faded as the championship moved into its decisive stages.
Uganda’s leading hopes now occupy the next three positions, with Juma Abiti, John Musiimenta and Joseph Cwinya-ai all inside the top six. Another Zambian, Musamba Kapoma, completes the leading group.
Cwinya-ai produced one of the standout rounds of the day, carding an impressive three-under-par 69 after making eight birdies. His performance offered a timely reminder of his championship pedigree and restored respectability to his challenge.
But the biggest story remains Musonda’s dominance.
With a six-stroke cushion and his game firing on all cylinders, the Zambian has placed himself in an enviable position. It will take a remarkable final-round collapse — or an extraordinary charge from the chasing pack — to prevent him from lifting the Johnnie Walker Uganda Amateur Open trophy.
The main Open concludes on Friday at Kitante before attention shifts to next week’s programme, with the PRO-AM scheduled for Tuesday.
The Johnnie Walker Uganda Amateur Open is supported by ABSA Bank, Aquafina, Medisell, Finaltus, Case Hospital, MTN, National Council of Sports, NBS, Pearl Marina, Rosefoam, Uganda Airlines, Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda Golf Club and The R&A.
