Joseph Cwinyaai has closed the gap on Zambia’s Dominic Musonda to just a single shot as the Johnnie Walker Uganda Amateurs Open Golf Championship heads into the third round at Lugazi Hills Golf and Country Club.
Musonda, who stormed into the lead on Wednesday with a six-under 65, followed up with a two-under 69 on Thursday to reach eight-under 134 after 36 holes. Cwinyaai, the national team captain and local favorite, responded with the best round of the day, a three-under 68, moving to seven-under 135 and right on the leader’s heels.
The Ugandan recovered quickly after an opening bogey, playing flawless golf over the remaining holes with four birdies. “My putting was good today, despite a bogey on hole one. I’m happy to have cut the lead to just a stroke going into the last two rounds,” Cwinyaai said.
Musonda, who had eight birdies in his opening round, managed only four on day two and gave back two strokes with bogeys. He admitted his putting held him back. “I struggled on the greens. That’s why I made a lot of pars between holes 8 and 17. But I’ll keep focusing on consistency and managing this course,” he said.
Further down the leaderboard, Abdul Kakeeto sits eight shots adrift, while national team players Elton Thembo and Ibrahim Ssemakula are tied for fourth at 143. Peter Tumusiime follows in sixth, with Derrick Musana, Peter Mayende, and Anthony Otukei locked together in seventh at 146. Rogers Eyoyo rounds out the top 10 on 147.
The tournament continues Friday with the penultimate round before Saturday’s finale. The 2025 Johnnie Walker Uganda Amateur Open Golf Championship is backed by Absa Bank Uganda, Aquafina, Isuzu Mac East Africa, Uganda Tourism Board, Medisell Uganda, NBS Sport, and MTN MoMo.
