The final round of the 2026 Pearl of Africa Golf (POA) golf series comes on Saturday, 19th September at the par-71 Entebbe Club.
Thirty four golfers, including three Ugandan amateurs (Joseph Cwinya-ai, Antony Otukei and Joseph Reagan Akena), will be in the running for the final showdown.
Of these, there are 12 Ugandan professionals who made the treasured cut after very thrilling golf action played over 36 holes in the first two rounds.
The second round action played on Friday witnessed Uganda’s Ronald Rugumayo and South African Nethunzwi Musiwalo shoot an identical 7-under 64.
Rugumayo recorded 6 birdies, an eagle, 10 pars and a bogey on the par-3 hole 10.
“It is a great feeling to have finished the second round well. I had a struggling finish on round one. But I changed my strategy, and the results show. The tournament matters, and I need to finish strong to win before my home fans,” Rugumayo stated after his round.
Rugumayo thus has a three-shot lead over second-placed Godwin Okoko from Nigeria.
Musiwalo, who commenced the championship with 2-over-74, swiftly recovered with an amazing round of 7-under-64.
The Soweto Country Club member had a bogey-free round with 7 birdies on holes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 11 and 15, as well as 11 pars.
“I am happy with the round. I could still win the tournament if I maintain this performance or better it,” Musiwalo, who tees off the final round in joint 8th position, remarked.
Rugumayo leads the cast of Ugandans who made the cut.
The others are: Willy Deus Kitata, Grace Kasango, David Kamulindwa, Abraham Ainamani, Deo Akope, Andrew Ssekibejja, Rodell Tadeo Gaita, Silver Opio, Joseph Cwinya-ai (amateur), Antony Otukei (amateur), Phillip Kasozi, Steven Odong, Joseph Reagan Akena and Vincent Byamukama.
The professionals’ third round tees off at 11:10 AM with Uganda’s Phillip Kasozi against South African Ruben Van Der Berg.
The main pressure group drives off at 1 PM with the trio of Slade Pickering (South Africa), Godwin Okoko (Nigeria) and Uganda’s Rugumayo.
The second pressure group tees off at 12:50 PM with South Africa’s Matt Millar, Nuru Mollel (Tanzania) and Kenya’s Greg Snow.
The prize money kitty is $20,000 (at least Shs 70,000,000).
Uganda Golf Union (UGU), Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Entebbe Club, Sunshine Development Tour, East African Swing, Betway Tour and others are all strategic partners.
This is Uganda’s first Official World Ranking professional golf tournament under the Sunshine Development & BET Tour.
Top 15 leaderboard after 2 rounds (36 holes):
