Indiza now takes three-shot lead in Kampala
What you need to know:
- Indiza started the day with two birdies on the par-5 one and three to go five-under overall.
- That quick step off the blocks sent shivers down the spines of his challengers, most especially those who were yet to tee-off.
IN KAMPALA, UGANDA
Even when he shared the lead with homeboy Deo Akope on three-under-par 69 after Day One on Wednesday, Kenya's Dismas Indiza had already started hinting about his chances of a fifth title at the 12th Tusker Malt Uganda Professionals Golf Open.
Clearly, the Mumias Sugar veteran feels he is in ‘the form of his life’. At the Uganda Golf Club (UGC) clubhouse in Kitante, the 49-year-old spotted a blank face after his round on Thursday.
“I always play serious (good) golf here. This is like my course,” said Indiza, while trying to hold back a hearty laugh, after carding one-under-par 71 on a tough Day Two.
MAN-ON-A-MISSION
Like a man-on-a-mission, Indiza started the day with two birdies on the par-5 one and three to go five-under overall. That quick step off the blocks sent shivers down the spines of his challengers, most especially those who were yet to tee-off.
He would add birdies on eighth and 13 only to have his wings clipped by a double-bogey on the 10th and, two bogeys on 12th and 16th. But hard-hitting golfer would finish strong with a birdie on 18th.
Indiza not only maintained his spot at the top of the leaderboard but, he also assumed a three-stroke lead over his immediate challenger Stephen Ferreira.
Portuguese Ferreira is sandwiched by two of the 19 Kenyans who made the cut - Indiza and Anil Shah, who is tied joint-third with Uganda’s Brian Mwesigwa on 144 gross.
PORTUGUESE AFFAIR
The only European in the competition moved three places up after scoring one-under for the same overall score in second place. He carded 76 in Pro-Am and 72 on Day One.
“I hope I can keep improving,” said Ferreira. “Definitely, I am chasing the championship and I don’t want to be too far. There are still two rounds to play.”
Meanwhile, defending champion South African Joshua Seale may still be nine strokes behind but he has clawed himself back in the title race with a round of 73.
"Better watch out boy, we are still here,” placed joint-12th an aggregate of 159 gross, Seale told his caddie Lawrence Marino after looking at the leaderboard.
“I haven't putted in two days. The greens were tough,” he said when he turned to speak to the press. “But I am here to win. Nine shots in 36 holes is nothing on this course. I need 68 or less tomorrow (Friday) and I can do it.”
At least 46 professionals missed out on the cut that was at nine-over including the only female player in the fray Flavia Namakula of Uganda, who finished tied in 64th position with an aggregate of 159 gross over two days.
