Karichu grabs lead at Uganda Open Amateur

Kenya’s John Karichu emerged at the top of the leader board at the close of round two in this year’s Castle Lite Uganda Open Amateur Golf Championship at the par 71 Entebbe Golf Club course on Thursday.

Karichu, a former Golfer of The Year champion, fired three under par 68 to jump to the top of the leader board on four under par total of 138.

Overnight leader Edwin Mudanyi also from Kenya, hit a string of bogeys to wind up the day in joint third with level par 142 after a 76 in the second round.

He is tied third with Ugandan Herman Mutebi, who fired his back to back level par 71 for 142.

New leader Karichu birdied the first and seventh holes in the opening nine, then added birdies on the 10th, 14th and 15th.

Mudanyi made bogeys on the fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth, and dropped two more on the back nine’s 12th and 16th with only a lonely birdie on the ninth.

Mutebi on the other hand, collected birdies on the fifth, 10th, 13th and 15th, but against bogeys on the third, seventh and eighth and later on at the 16th hole. It was an awful day for two times champion Ronald Otile, who picked up a total of seven bogeys compared to five birdies at the seventh, 11th, 13th, 14th and 15th, which left him two over par 73 to remain in second place on two under par 140.

Of the other Kenyans, Railway’s Samuel Njoroge was in fifth place on his own with two over par total of 144 after posting two over 73 for the day.

Youngster Mutahi Kibugu was in sixth place on 145 after a four over par 75 in the second round.

A total of 13 Kenyan amateur golfers are participating in the championship which follows last week’s Ladies Open.

The other Kenyans in Entebbe are Paul Muchangi, who finished third last year, Zubair Khan of Muthaiga, George Felix (Railway), Isaac Makokha, Mike Kisia, Robinson Owiti (Vet Lab), Aaron Kitur(Eldoret), Shailee Naji (Nakuru) and Anthony Irungu of Muthaiga.

The main professional event starts next Wednesday at the same venue.