Uganda’s Willys Kitata, Nigeria’s Godwin Okoko and Uganda’s Emma Ogwang fired matching five-under-par 66s to share the first-round lead at the Pearl of Africa Golf Series at Entebbe Golf Club.
The trio finished one shot clear of the chasing pack after impressive opening rounds in the sixth leg of the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing, the circuit’s maiden tournament in Uganda.
Kitata produced one of the cleanest cards of the day, sinking five birdies without dropping a shot. He birdied the first, seventh, ninth, 12th and 13th holes to grab an early share of the lead.
“I’m happy with the way I played today. I started well and managed to stay focused throughout the round. The birdies came at the right time, and I was able to avoid dropping any shots. There are still two rounds to go, so the focus is to keep playing my game and stay consistent,” Kitata said.
Okoko also delivered a bogey-free performance, collecting birdies on the first, 10th, 14th, 15th and 18th holes to join Kitata at the summit.
“It was a good round for me. I kept things simple, stayed patient and took advantage of the opportunities when they came. Finishing with a birdie on 18 was a good way to end the day. I’ll take the positives from today and prepare for the next round,” Okoko said.
Ogwang matched the leading score despite a lone bogey on the 15th. The Ugandan recovered strongly with birdies on the first, 11th, 13th, 14th, 16th and 18th holes to remain tied for first place.
Uganda’s Ronald Rugumayo and South Africa’s Ruan de Smidt sit a shot behind on four-under-par 67.
Rugumayo, who recently won the Uganda Professional Golf Open and the second leg of the MTN Pro Tee Series at Entebbe, highlighted his round with an eagle on the par-five 11th alongside birdies on the first, fourth, seventh, 13th and 18th holes.
De Smidt’s 67 featured five birdies on the first, seventh, 10th, 11th and 16th holes, with his only dropped shot coming at the eighth.
Kenya’s Daniel Nduva of Nyali Golf and Country Club emerged as the country’s top performer after posting a two-under-par 69 to finish tied for 10th after the opening round.
Veteran Greg Snow of Muthaiga Golf Club signed for a one-under-par 70 and remained well within striking distance heading into the second round.
The tournament has drawn professionals and elite amateurs from across Africa and beyond, with Official World Golf Ranking and World Amateur Golf Ranking points available.
