Moore’s opening round of 64 set the tone for the tournament and despite facing challenges along the way, he held off fierce competition to finish with a total score of 281.

Zambian golfer, Dayne Jr Moore, delivered a commanding performance to claim the 2024 Johnnie Walker Uganda Professional Open title with a two-stroke victory at the Entebbe Golf Club. Moore’s opening round of 64 set the tone for the tournament and despite facing challenges along the way, he held off fierce competition from Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera to finish with a total score of 281 over four days.

On the final day, all he had to do was manage the course and he did just that. After his remarkable seven-under 64 on the first day, Moore followed with rounds of 73, 72, and 72. The South Africa-based Zambian cruised to victory in the 2024 Uganda Professional Open Championship with a two-stroke victory over Rwanda’s brilliant teenager, Celestin Nsanzuwera.

The towering golfer, a member at Ndola Golf Club in Northern Zambia joins the long champions’ queue of the Uganda Professional Open, a prestigious tourney with a total cash prize of UGX.150,000,000 – about USD.40,333.

Despite a rocky start on the final day that included a double bogey on the par-5 fifth hole, the South Africa-based golfer regained his composure. He immediately responded with a birdie on the sixth and played a steady game to close out the tournament. His final round culminated with a clutch putt on the 18th hole, securing a one-over finish for the day.

“I am humbled by this victory. It’s been a great year for me, with a win in South Africa and a runner-up finish in Zambia. This win gives me momentum for the busy weeks ahead,” said Moore.

Celestin Nsanzuwera, who posted a strong 68 in the final round, mounted a late charge but fell just short with a total score of 283. A bogey on the par-5 15th hole derailed his pursuit of the title, leaving him two shots behind Moore. Nsanzuwera’s consistent play earned him second place and a prize of UGX 21 million.

Kenya’s legendary golfer, Dismas Indiza, now approaching 56 years, remains as competitive as ever, and his powers of endurance ought to be framed in sports hall of fame. Another Kenyan amateur golfer, Adel Balala, post a remarkable performance at the big tournament finishing in joint third place with Indiza. Both players posted a total score of 284, with Indiza shooting a final round of 68 and Balala impressing with the best final round score of 67.

The best Ugandan was Philip Kasozi, who played the tournament three-over. Kasozi shot 71, 73, 71, and 72 over the four days. His countrymate, Abraham Ainamani, finished at five-over.

While Kasozi ended in a tie for sixth and Ainamani in a tie for ninth, Ronald Rugumayo capitulated on the 18th with a 9 on the card. He played a final day score of 80 that dropped him to 23rd alongside Rodell Gaita Taddeo and David Kamulindwa.

Other Kenyan golfers, Jastas Madoya with 285 and Mike Kisia with 287 finished in the fifth and sixth positions of the leaderboard.

Cameroon’s Pristhy Fon shot 288, defending champion Robson Chinoi of Zimbabwe and Zambian Sydney Wemba returned 289 apiece to finish in eighth and in joint nineth positions respectively.

Meanwhile, Erick Ooko Obura and Tadeo Gaita Rodell played holes-in-one on holes # 2 and 8 #8 respectively.

The professional open was headlined by Johnnie Walker as main sponsor. Players came from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Cameroon, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Cote D’Ivoire and Nigeria.

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