Ugandan golfer Joseph Cwinya-ai has failed to make the cut at the ongoing Magical Kenya Open, presented by Absa, at the prestigious Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi, Kenya.
Cwinya-ai, the Uganda national team captain, finished his two rounds with a combined score of 19-over-par, carding 81 and 80 for a total of 161. Despite the disappointing performance, he remained optimistic, acknowledging the experience as an invaluable lesson in his journey towards professional golf.
“First of all, I thank Absa Bank Uganda and the Uganda Golf Union for giving me the opportunity to represent my country at a world tour event. This was my childhood dream. Despite my performance, I have learned the importance of composure, as I observed from the professionals I played alongside,” Cwinya-ai said.
With his sights now set on transitioning to professional golf, Cwinya-ai emphasized the need for proper equipment to support his ambitions. “I am now looking forward to acquiring the right golf kit and turning professional,” he added.
Cwinya-ai was one of two Ugandans in this year’s event, alongside USA-based Willy Deus Kitata, Uganda’s sole professional golfer in the tournament. However, Kitata withdrew from the competition before completing the 18th hole.
A total of 144 golfers entered the DP World Tour event, all vying for a share of the $2.5 million prize fund. The overall winner is set to take home approximately UGX 1.5 billion.
Last year, Ugandan golfer Ronald Rugumayo made history as the only East African to advance to the money bracket of the tournament’s lucrative prize pool. Cwinya-ai hopes to follow in Rugumayo’s footsteps as he gears up for a professional career.
Meanwhile, defending champion Darius van Driel of the Netherlands also failed to make the cut. He scored 3-over 74 in the second round, finishing with a total of 1-over-par, falling just one stroke short of the projected cut line of even par.
As the competition heads into the later rounds, English professional John Parry and Frenchman Benjamin Hébert lead the leaderboard, finishing the second round in first and second place, respectively.
