The signal was clear from the onset when Jastas Madoya shot six-under-par 65 on Day One to top the leaderboard. The aggression of defending champion Robson Chinhoi of Zimbabwe and legendary Dismas Indiza of Kenya could not stop on-form Madoya from winning his first major – the Uganda Open.
Indiza scored five-under-par 66, same as Madoya on day three to take the second place and book a final pressure group slot coming to the fourth and final round.The main pressure group had the trio of Madoya, Chinhoi and Indiza. The second pressure group had Deo Akope, Visitor Mapwanya and Ronald Rugumayo. Mike Kisia, Greg Snow and David Wakhu were drawn in the same group.
The 35-year-old golfer held on to his five-shot lead from day three to fend off 2018 champion DismasIndiza and Robinson Chinhoi who tallied 276 and 278 respectively. Madoya had already created a difference of five strokes in the three rounds that that gave him a big advantage over his pressure group challengers. He found himself in a comfortable lead despite his not-so-impressive shot of one-over-par 72 in the final round. He grossed 271 to claim 2021 Tusker Malt Lager Uganda Professionals Open title.
The only Ugandan to finish in the top five was Ronald Rugumayo who grossed a 279 with a five-under. Other Ugandans who made it in the top 10 are DeoAkope and Silver Opio, both tying in the ninth place with Kenya’s Paul Chidale.
The 35-year-old golfer held on to his five-shot lead from day three to fend off 2018 champion DismasIndiza and Robinson Chinhoi who tallied 276 and 278 respectively.
The Great Rift Valley Resort Club player returned a level par score on the front nine where he briefly demonstrated his hunger for the title with an eagle on the par-5 seventh hole. Having pulled seven shots clear of Indiza, Madoya had the luxury of dropping three shots on the eighth, tenth and 12th holes but his challengers failed to take advantage of the blip. Scenting victory, Madoya upped the tempo with a pair of birdies on the fourteenth and fifteenth holes to seal the championship victory.
The pair of Indiza and Chinhoi threw in the towel on the back nine after the veteran Kenyan pro picked bogeys in the last two holes while the Zimbabwean’s fate was sealed on the par three tenth hole when he double bogeyed.
Visitor Mapwanya of Zimbabwe finished in fifth place, S.Wemba was sixth, Samuel Njoroge was seventh, Erick Ooko was eight while the trio of Paul Chidale , DeoAkope and Silver Opio tied in the ninth place.
Madoya took up golf in 2003 in Naivasha at the age of 17. He enjoyed a stellar career in the amateur ranks breaking into the Kenya team in 2012 where he donned the national colours for three years. During this period, he featured in several events including the East Africa Challenge and Zone Six contests in South Africa, Namibia and Uganda.
Since turning pro in 2016, Madoya has enjoyed little success in the paid ranks save for a rare victory in 2019 when he won the Entebbe Open. And early this year when he won the Safari Tour leg at his home ground.
Form and consistency aside, Madoya has been banking on one weapon in his armory which is beyond most of his competitors- salvation. Having “seen the light” in 2009, Madoya is a staunch Christian currently serving as a Youth Pastor at the Repentance and Holiness church in Naivasha. Madoya’s daily routine involves waking up as early as 3 am for the morning glory devotion, a routine that has dovetailed perfectly with his golf schedule.
The professionals played for a total kitty of UGX. 100 Million, courtesy of Uganda Breweries Limited under the Tusker Malt Lager brand.
The 2021 edition of Tusker Malt Lager Uganda Golf Open attracted players from Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Sweden and South Africa.
Leaderboard- Top 10
No. Name Country Par
- JastasMadoya Kenya -13
- Dismas Indiza Kenya -8
- Robson Chinhoi Zimbabwe -6
- RonaldRugumayo Uganda -5
- Visitor Mapwanya Zimbabwe -3
- S Wemba Kenya -1
- Samuel Njoroge Kenya Par
- ErickOoko Kenya +2
T9.PaulChidale Kenya +3
T9.Deo Akope Uganda +3
T9.SilverOpio Uganda +3
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