Okwong edges Muhumuza to Mehta Lugazi Open title

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Golf. The Tooro-bred golfer enhanced his reputation in his last big tourney in Uganda by securing victory.

LUGAZI. Upon climax on Sunday, the two-day City Tyres Mehta Golf Open had been faultless in almost every sense.
For those stuck at the Mehta Golf Club (MGC) house, they had an aura of a countryside home accompanied by the musical blend of ABBA’s Dancing Queen and Korede Bello’s Romantic.
On field, the 76 participants had given their best on the fine par-70 course. There was no better wrap to enthralling showpiece than Titus Okwong edging friendly foe Adolf Muhumuza in a sudden-death play-off.
Having carded four-under par on Saturday, US-bound Okwong took a one-shot lead over fellow Tooro-bred lad Muhumuza.
But respective Day Two rounds of 74 and 73 in the pressure group with Deco Mutebi and Ashraf Bagalana meant Okwong and Muhumuza had finished joint-top on 140 gross.

Tournament officials agreed the pair return to the valley-like par-3 Hole No.18 for a sudden play-off. Here, with the gallery filled in anxiety, Okwong claimed a par to beat Muhumuza by a stroke.
“I didn’t feel any pressure,” victorious Okwong told Daily Monitor prior to picking his trophy, branded bicycle and bag from City Tyres boss Omar Mandela in company of Mehta Group boss Mahendra Mehta. “After I had played well yesterday (Saturday), I expected to win.
“Adolf played well and he, plus the other pressure group members pushed me to do this,” added the 21-year-old set to pursue a career in golf and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration at the Livingstone College, North Carolina.

For national team captain Muhumuza, this was his second career play-off defeat since losing the 2014 National Open to Deus Kitata on Hole No.12 at Kitante. “I think I am just unlucky with play-offs,” he said.
Prior on Day Two, Muhumuza was well in the lead at level-par after par-3 No.9. But he began to deflate when he three-putted on par-4 no.10. It is here that Okwong grew in confidence. He missed an eagle on par-4 No.13 but followed that with straight four birdies, finishing the day with six. Nonetheless, the duo remain friends ever since they made the podium at 2008 qualifying round for caddies in Tooro. Coca Cola, BKT, TransAfrica Insurance also sponsored the event.