Zambia’s Dayne Jr Moore remains in firm control of the 2024 Johnnie Walker Uganda Professional Golf Open, heading into the final day with a three-shot lead.
Moore, who birdied the 18th on Friday to close out with a one-over 72, is four-under for the championship. Only an unlikely collapse could deny him the grand prize of UGX 31.2 million on Saturday.
The leaderboard behind Moore is tightly packed, with five golfers tied at one-over-par.
Uganda’s Ronald Rugumayo and Abraham Ainamani are joined by Zambia’s Sydney Wemba, Kenya’s ‘Pastor’ Jastas Madoya, and Cameroon’s Pristhy Fon.
Fon delivered the best performance of the day, carding a superb four-under 67, while Rugumayo and Ainamani kept themselves in contention with one-under 70s.
The tournament saw its share of drama, as Zimbabwe’s Nyasha Muyambo was disqualified after signing an incorrect scorecard. Muyambo had bogeyed the par-5 17th, but his scorecard recorded a par.
Meanwhile, Uganda’s Rodell Gaita Taddeo made headlines with a hole-in-one on the par-3 8th.
The 18th hole witnessed spectacular eagles from Madoya and Kenya’s veteran golfer, Mzee Wakoza Dismas Indiza Anyoni, thrilling one of the largest galleries in the tournament’s history.
Saturday’s crowd is expected to be just as large, as Indiza, the defending champion and seven-time winner, faces an uphill task, sitting seven strokes behind the leader.
The final day’s action will see Moore, Madoya, and Ainamani teeing off at 12:20 PM in the pressure group.
They will follow Rugumayo, Wemba, and Fon, while Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera, Kenya’s Daniel Nduva, and Zimbabwe’s Robson Chinhoi are set to kickstart at noon.
Saturday’s round will also feature a subsidiary competition for golfers in Group B, promising an exciting conclusion to the Uganda Golf Open.
