Grace Kasango held his nerve to seal a commanding wire to wire victory at the Pearl of Africa Golf Series final in Entebbe, closing out a gripping contest that came alive on the back nine.
Kasango, who started the tournament as favourite, stayed in control across all three days.
His rounds of 67, 69, and 68 told the story of a golfer whose game has grown in both confidence and precision over the past year.
But Saturday belonged as much to Philip Kasozi’s charge as it did to Kasango’s composure.
Kasozi caught fire on the back nine, going five-under through five holes to pull level at eight-under by the 15th.
For a moment, he looked unstoppable, driving cleanly and putting with purpose as the pressure shifted to Kasango.
The turning point came at the 16th. Kasango found the green and made birdie, while Kasozi missed right and dropped a shot after failing to save par. The gap stretched to two shots with two holes left.
Kasango slipped with a bogey on 17, opening the door again. But on the final hole, he showed his class.
Both players found the fairway, yet Kasozi’s approach landed in the bunker while Kasango hit the green.
Kasozi struggled in the sand, and by the time he recovered, the contest was effectively over. Kasango calmly finished with a birdie to seal the win.
It was a historic triumph. Kasango became the first player in the series to lead from start to finish while posting under-par rounds throughout.
Kasozi finished second after recovering strongly from an opening 73 with back-to-back 67s. Vincent ‘Araali’ Byamukama took third, five shots off the lead, while Rodell Taddeo Gaita and Ronald Rugumayo shared fourth. David Kamulindwa and Davis Kato tied for sixth.
Kasango’s victory matched amateur Joseph Cwinya-ai’s wire to wire win earlier in the week, though the latter closed with a 75.
The Pearl of Africa Golf Series, still in its early days, continues to grow in stature. Its next event is set for mid-year, as players build towards the Uganda Golf Open.
