Cwinyaai lurking from behind going into Day 3 at Open

Happy To Chase. Cwinyaai boasts of the best Ugandan aggregate. PHOTO BY EDDIE CHICCO

What you need to know:

  • The defending champion is no stranger to pressure situations and can handle the most intense moments. Cwinyaai, on the other hand, has been in fine form leading up to the Uganda Open but it remains to be seen whether he can land his biggest title yet playing before a gallery that is growing with every round.

All the pre-tournament focus was on three-time defending champion Ronald Otile.

He made the news for a poor 10-over 82 on Day One. The US-based golfer then made more news with a special course-record of 68 yesterday. When he plays well or poorly, Otile will always capture headlines. Such is the brand he has built in amateur golf. It is why not so many observers are following Joseph Cwinyaai.

Yet the Tooro golfer is the best-placed Ugandan in the tournament, and one who must not be written off.
Cwinyaai sits five shots off the pace after rounds of 76 and 73 and is only five strokes behind the leader Simon Njogu.

Yesterday he started slowly and was five-over through four holes before engaging gears all the way to the back nine. It was the same story on Day One where he was six-over through six holes before he changed his fortunes.

In a way, Cwinyaai should be happy to post impressive scores unnoticed.
It is clear he is thriving without all the fuss and attention around Otile.

The defending champion is no stranger to pressure situations and can handle the most intense moments. Cwinyaai, on the other hand, has been in fine form leading up to the Uganda Open but it remains to be seen whether he can land his biggest title yet playing before a gallery that is growing with every round.