Shortly after sinking his last putt in a final round of level-par 72 for the final aggregate score 11-under 277 at 5:30pm, Chinhoi took off his shoes and ran to dive into the water right in front of the Lake Victoria Serena Resort & Spa clubhouse marina.

Fresh from winning Lubumbashi Open and Kinshasa Open in DRC, Robson Chinhoi came to Uganda Golf Open as tournament favourite and he did not disappoint.Chinhoi had also completed a hat-trick of titles this season after defeating DismasIndiza in a dramatic three-hole playoff at Karen Country club.

The 31-year-old Mutare-born golfer carried a five-shot advantage over the rest of the field after he carded a round of 66 comprising five birdies and an eagle on the 17th green after the third round.

Since Ugandan Ronald Rugumayo had equally charged with a five-under 67 with as many birdies and an eagle on the 13th green, he formed the final pressure group of three with Kenyan Greg Snow. However, the race against Chinhoi looked to have been in futility as he had an eight-shot margin over Kenyan Simon Ngige in the second pressure group and Rugumayo after playing par-4 Hole No.9.

The latter had dropped after carding a horrible double-bogey on par-5 Hole No.8 and then a bogey on the tricky yellow flag on the 9th green. Ngige on the other hand had risen thanks to three successive birdies right from the short par-3 Hole No.7.

Whereas some tension seemed to pop up with the gallery on the next three holes, the Open looked to have been fully closed out when Chinhoi sunk an eagle on the par-3 Hole No.13.

He opened his arms wide while facing the gallery understandably backing Rugumayo, nodded his head and then wore his shades in a show of swagger and command. 

“I am a happy guy,” Chinhoi reacted to that moment. “I was just trying to make things exciting. There was a bit of tension yet they wanted Rugumayo. I was just trying to show them its sports and that let’s have fun.”

Just a handful proceeded to follow them to the par-4 Hole No.14 while the rest stayed to wait for them at the short par-3 Hole No.15 in a clear display of surrender.

There was little left to write home and the pain was felt more when Rugumayo bogeyed his last four holes to finish on 77, giving Ngige room to finish on one-under 71 and tie with the Ugandan in second place.

Chinhoi had kept it simple throughout. The Zimbabwean spoke less and did more with his clubs. So when he finally sealed a 10-shot margin to claim the 17th Tusker Malt Uganda Professionals Golf Open title at Kigo, he freed up his emotions in style.

Having totally annihilated the field, the Zimbabwean took off his shoes, dived into the water, swam 20metres and resurfaced wet and pumping his fist in the air to mark his 2nd Uganda Golf Open victory. He first won the event in 2020.

Shortly after sinking his last putt in a final round of level-par 72 for the final aggregate score 11-under 277 at 5:30pm, Chinhoi took off his shoes and ran to dive into the water right in front of the Lake Victoria Serena Resort & Spa clubhouse marina.The affable lad then swam across to the speed boats’ dock, thereby rallying on the onlookers and partisan gallery that had been treated to the surprise, in sheer delight.

That, perhaps, marks the best celebration there’s been for a golf championship victory in the sport’s history – Yes

“I think this is the craziest celebration I have done. This is the only golf course I have played with a lot of water,” Chinhoi said of the swim reminiscing his childhood in Nyanga village where he often swam through River Nyamombe.

Tied in second were Ugandan Ronald Rugumayo and Kenyan Simon Ngige Mburu, whose 71 score on the final day propelled him into 2nd position at the picturesque Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa course.

Zimbabwean Robson Chinhoicarried a five-shot advantage over the rest of the field after he carded a round of 66 comprising five birdies and an eagle on the 17th green after the third round.

A total of 15 Ugandans including Irene Nakalembe and national amateur assistant captain, Ibrahim Bagalana, made the cut.

Another Kenyan Greg Snow came fourth (290) as Samuel Njoroge Chege and Zimbabwean NyashaMuyambo tied for 5^th with 291 gross each.

Zimbabwe’s Visitor Mapwanya (293), Rwandan Celestine Nsanzuwera (293), Kenya’s David Wakhu (294), Ugandan Phillip Kasozi (294), and US-based Ugandan Willy Deus Kitata (294) and legendary Kenyan DismasIndizaAnyonyi (294) all occupied the top 12 slots.

Irene Nakalembe made history as the first lady professional to make the cut in the Uganda Pro open.

Other Ugandans who made the cut were Joshua Seale, Abraham Ainamani, Silver Opio, Adolf Muhumuza, David Kamulindwa, TadeoGaitaRodell, Grace Kasango, Marvin Kibirige, and an amateur Ibrahim Bagalana.

The official prize-giving ceremony was graced by the chairperson of the National Council of Sports (NCS) Ambrose Tashobya, Attorney General and former Uganda Golf Union President KiryowaKiwanuka, current UGU President Moses Matsiko, President Africa GolfConfederation, Johnson Omollo, sponsors’ representatives, among others.

Uganda Breweries Limited under the Tusker Malt brand was the main sponsor of the Uganda Golf Open series that also had Ladies Open, Seniors Open and Amateurs Open.

TML Uganda Open Championship is part of the Absa sponsored East Africa Safari Tour and the first leg of 2022-2023 lucrative Pro tour. Chinhoi was rewarded with a trophy and cash prize of Shs21m, the biggest share of the Shs100m kitty. This is his second title at this event in three years having won the 2020 edition at Kitante.

The Uganda Open has grown in stature and is one of the Biggest event on the Safari Tour attracting Pro golfers from Southern Africa, Central Africa, West Africa.