By GPC Sports Correspondent

Uganda’s Willys Kitata, Nigeria’s Godwin Okoko and Uganda’s Emma Ogwang shared the lead after the opening round of the Pearl of Africa Golf Series at Entebbe Golf Club on Wednesday.

The trio carded five-under-par 66s to take a one-shot advantage into the second round of the tournament, which is the sixth leg of the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing.

Kitata produced a flawless round, sinking birdies on the first, seventh, ninth, 12th and 13th holes to set the early pace.

“I’m happy with the way I played today. I started well and managed to stay focused throughout the round. The birdies came at the right time, and I was able to avoid dropping any shots,” Kitata said.

“There are still two rounds to go, so the focus is to keep playing my game and stay consistent.”

Okoko also went bogey-free, picking up birdies on the first, 10th, 14th, 15th and 18th holes to join Kitata at the top of the leaderboard.

“It was a good round for me. I kept things simple, stayed patient and took advantage of the opportunities when they came,” Okoko said.

“Finishing with a birdie on 18 was a good way to end the day. I’ll take the positives from today and prepare for the next round.”

Ogwang matched the pair’s score despite dropping a shot on the 15th. He recovered strongly, making six birdies on the first, 11th, 13th, 14th, 16th and 18th holes to remain firmly in contention.

Uganda’s Ronald Rugumayo and South Africa’s Ruan de Smidt were a shot behind after returning four-under-par 67s.

Rugumayo, fresh from winning the Uganda Professional Golf Open and the second leg of the MTN Pro Tee Series at Entebbe, carded an eagle on the 11th and birdies on the first, fourth, seventh, 13th and 18th holes.

De Smidt also enjoyed a strong start, making birdies on the first, seventh, 10th, 11th and 16th holes. His only blemish was a bogey on the eighth.

Nyali Golf & Country Club’s Daniel Nduva was the best-placed Kenyan, tying for 10th after carding a two-under-par 69. Muthaiga Golf Club’s Greg Snow was one shot further back on one-under-par 70.

The Pearl of Africa Golf Series marks the Sunshine Development Tour’s first event in Uganda and has attracted players from across Africa and beyond.

The tournament offers Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points, adding further significance to the three-round competition.

The second round tees off on Friday, after which the field will be reduced to the top 30 players and ties for the final two rounds on Saturday.

The tournament carries a US$20,000 prize purse, equivalent to about KSh2.5 million.