Uganda pros chance to make Safari inroads

Uganda’s pro golf is taking strides in a positive direction with four events so far announced on the regional Safari Tour Series.
There are ten tickets available via the Safari Tour to the 2020 Magical Kenya Open which is part of the world class PGA European Tour circuit.

With the Castle Lite Entebbe Open joining the Tour, a pile of home pros will be keen on maximizing the stage as they contest for the biggest chunk of the Shs40m purse beginning today.

This is the fourth event on the 12-leg Tour with rounds at Nyali Club & Country, Uganda Open at Kigo and at Royal Nairobi Club complete. So far, only a trio of Ugandans are ranked among the top 30 in the road to Kenya Open. However, with more familiar conditions at the par-71 course in Entebbe, it is time the men from code 256 stepped up.
“Winning it. There is no plan B,” Phillip Kasozi stated his target ahead of the 72-hole competition.

Kasozi is the leading Ugandan on the Tour with 80 points all scored after his finished as the country’s best in 13th place at the Uganda Open.
Thereafter, Kasozi struggled at Royal Nairobi but he took respective third, fourth and joint-seventh place finishes at the other ensuing events; JBG Open in Entebbe, Pepsi Independence Open in Kakungulu and the Kinyara Open in Masindi. “The home leg is always important,” he said. Kasozi succeeded in this Tour route to the Kenya Open back in March.

“This is every Ugandan’s chance to get the numbers needed for the Kenya Open. Surely, three or two Ugandans should try be in.”
There are 50 points on offer in Entebbe. “Of course, 50 points thrust me into the top five. Entebbe is all about avoiding the trees and if you do, you are good and home,” Kasozi added.
Another Ugandan Abraham Ainamani is ranked 18th while Opio Onitor Jnr is 22nd on the Tour charts where the top eight qualify automatically to the European Tour event.

“My game is good. I have been practicing hard for these tournaments,” said Ainamani who won the Singleton Challenge in March.
He tied 24th at the Uganda Open, was eighth at the Independence Open, fourth twice at JBG and Kinyara. “Winning in Entebbe is my aim. Entebbe is cool and Ugandans stand a better chance here,” added Ainamani.

Kinyara champion Herman Mutawe is also among the 29 Ugandans to watch in the field of 56 players.
Senegalese Samba Niang and Zimbabwean Robson Chinhoi are entered with 25 Kenyans led by record five-time Uganda Open champion Dismas Indiza and a highly-flammable Greg Snow.

SAFARI TOUR LEADERBOARD
AFTER THREE LEGS
T1 Rizwan Charania (KEN) 166.6 pts
T1 Simon Ngige (KEN) 166.6
3 Erick Obura (KEN) 158.5
4 Dismas Indiza (KEN) 142.6
5 Greg Snow (KEN) 135
6 Mohit Mediratta (KEN) 129
7 Njuguna Ngugi (KEN) 125.6
8 Kopan Timbe (KEN) 117.9
9 Phillip Kasozi (UGA) 80
18 Abraham Ainamani (UGA) 40
22 Opio Onito Jr (UGA) 33

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