Uganda’s Cwinya-ai Seeks Second Johnnie Walker Title Amidst Jinx
Joseph Cwinya-ai, the current leader of the Johnnie Walker Uganda Golf Open, is hoping to overcome the jinx that hit him on day two and secure his second title in the tournament. Cwinya-ai, who is currently at +4 after 36 holes, told Kawowo Sports at Entebbe Golf Club that he is both happy and shocked to be leading the tournament.
Kenya’s Adel Balala and Uganda’s Abdul Kakeeto had a flying start, scoring 69 and 70 respectively, but collapsed on day two with 82 and 78, falling off the pace. Balala had a nearly error-free round on Wednesday, which included four eagles.
The day-one leaders, Cwinya-ai and defending champion Godfrey Nsubuga, are two of the only four under-par performances after day two. Nsubuga is at +11, well off the pace with today’s and tomorrow’s rounds to go. Last year, Nsubuga led from start to finish, securing his first Uganda Open golf title with a record score of 275 strokes (13-under-par) at the UGC course at Kitante.
Johnnie Walker is the headline sponsor of this 83rd Amateur Open, which has attracted players from Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, South Sudan, and Rwanda. The 2023 Johnnie Walker Uganda Open will return next week with the Pro-Am and the Professionals Open, concluding an exciting chapter of this year’s tournament.
It started last week with Iddy Hussein Madina winning the Johnnie Walker Uganda Ladies Golf Open title in a dramatic fashion, recovering from playing a wrong ball on no.11 to claw her way back to the top after an inexplicable capitulation by Martha Babirye and Hawa Wanyeche.
The Uganda Amateur Golf Open has a rich history, with winners dating back to 1932. The tournament has seen many talented golfers take home the title, including Sadi Onito, who won the tournament a record seven times between 1976 and 1988.
