Africa-Press – Uganda. Ronald Rugumayo, one of East Africa’s top golfers, emerged as the leader on day one of the Johnnie Walker Uganda Professionals Open Golf Championship at Lugazi Hills Golf and Country Club.
Rugumayo, recently unveiled as a Johnnie Walker brand influencer, posted an impressive 4-under-par 67 to claim early bragging rights.
Teeing off last, he birdied holes 1, 3, 7, 10, 11, 16, and 17, while dropping only three shots.
“I came to enjoy myself, but I had a game plan, which I stuck to. I’m really happy it paid off,” Rugumayo told the media.
He added, “I think I could have done even better, but at the end of the day, you take the result you managed. I’m looking forward to the second round.”
Kenya’s six-time winner Dismas Indiza trails Rugumayo by two strokes and is tied with fellow countryman and rising star Mohit Mediratta.
Uganda’s amateur Anthony Otukei recorded a 1-under 71, tying for fourth with Kenya’s Greg Snow.
Three other Ugandans—Abraham Ainamani, Rodell Gaita, and Joshua Seale—finished level par and are tied for sixth with Kenya’s 2019 Open amateur winner Daniel Nduva, Nigeria’s Andrew Odoh, and Zimbabwe’s two-time professional winner Robson Chinhoi.
The tournament features two female professionals, Flavia Namakula and Irene Nakalembe, both former champions in the ladies’ category of the Open.
The Johnnie Walker Uganda Professionals Open continues today, with only the top 30 players, including ties, advancing to the next two rounds.
Competitors are contesting a total prize pool of Shs 150 million, distributed based on performance.
The 2025 Johnnie Walker Uganda Open Golf Championship is sponsored by NBS Sport, among others.
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